i watch this film version of r. d. blackmore classic novel a a substitute until the 2001 a and e version be release on video . and what a poor substitution it prove to be . this version do not have the authentic and i feel like i be there aspect of the a and e movie . the actor be and for the most part and wooden ( with sean bean the exception ) and the romance seem force and contrive . in fact and there be no kiss until the end of the movie . the triangle between john ridd and lorna doone ( or lady lorna dugal and whichever you prefer ) and the evil carver doone isn not mention or expand upon . we do not get much insight into carver here and or a to why he have some ( if any ) romantic feeling for lorna . this movie cut out many of the key and interesting character of the novel and such a counsellor doone and and john sharp tongue young sister lizzie which be crucial to the plot . the screenplay itself be lack in conviction . the political intrigue also doesn not figure in the script . the way lorna come into be with the doones isn not true to the original story . now and do not get me wrong and clive owen be a handsome and talented actor ( watch gosford park and king arthur for confirmation ) but he come across a bland and stoic throughout and and long hair ( it may have be a bad wig ) just doesn not suit him . polly walker be a lovely and accomplished actress ( see enchant april and patriot game and in which she also costarred with sean bean ) and but she appear colorless and lackluster . she have a cold sore on her lip that make up can not hide and and the costume do not seem authentic . the late robert stephens do a respectable turn a sir ensor doone and although he only refer to lorna a his favorite rather than his granddaughter and which she be repute to be in the book . also and it seem to me that owen and walker be too old for their role ( maybe it the make up ) and the scenery be brown and cold and gray and barren and without so much of a hint of a sunny sky . i understand that it be set in southwest england and but it be green there and they do get their sunshine . the portrayal of tom faggus character and his death and which doesn not happen in the novel and depress the film even more . the one positive note be sean bean performance a carver . although it doesn not even come close to match aidan gillen portrayal in the a and e movie and bean do make one mean villain . in short and watch this only if you have get a few hour to kill and but do not expect anything exciting or for it to be true to the novel . see any other version ( but i highly recommend a and e film ) over this tired adaptation .