Lovespell
Lovespell is a 1981 fantasy romantic tragedy film featuring Richard Burton as King Mark of Cornwall. It was directed by Tom Donovan. Originally filmed in 1979, this film got released for limited screenings in theaters in 1981. It is based on the classic saga of Tristan and Isolde, which was also the basis for the 2006 film Tristan and Isolde.
| Lovespell | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Tom Donovan |
| Produced by | Tom Hayes Douglas Hughes Claire Labine Thomas H. Ryan |
| Written by | Claire Labine |
| Starring | Richard Burton Kate Mulgrew Nicholas Clay Cyril Cusack Niall O'Brien |
| Music by | Paddy Moloney |
| Cinematography | Richard H. Kline |
| Edited by | Russell Lloyd |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | John Lucas Ltd |
Release date | December 1981 |
Running time | 97mins |
| Country | Ireland, United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Plot synopsis
Lovespell is based around a love triangle between King Mark of Cornwall (Richard Burton), Isolt (Kate Mulgrew), and Tristan (Nicholas Clay). Mark discovers Isolt's love for Tristan, and banishes Tristan. However, while being away, Tristan is mortally wounded. Isolt persuades Mark to go and take Tristan back to Cornwall. Mark says if he returns casting white sails Tristan is alive and if they are black Tristan is dead. Mark returns with Tristan barely alive with white sails, but casts black sails when Tristan reveals his plans to run away with Isolt as soon as he has recovered. This causes Isolt to kill herself by throwing herself off the White Cliffs of Dover. Mark helps Tristan swim to the shore, and as Tristan and Isolt's hands touch they both die, while Mark, knee deep in the water, looks on.
Cast
| Character Name | Actor Name |
|---|---|
| King Mark of Cornwall | Richard Burton |
| Isolt | Kate Mulgrew |
| Tristan | Nicholas Clay |
| Gormond of Ireland | Cyril Cusack |
| Bronwyn | Geraldine Fitzgerald |
| Andred | Niall Toibin |
| Alix | Diana Van der Vlis |
| Corvenal | Niall O'Brien |
| Yseult of the White Hand | Kathryn Dowling |
| Father Colm | John Jo Brooks |
| Anne | Trudy Hayes |
| Bishop | John Scanlon |
| William the Guard | Bobby Johnson |
| Eoghanin | John Labine |
External links
- Lovespell at IMDb
- Blowen, Michael (Aug 16, 1982). "Movie review: Tristan and Isolt founder in a sea of nonsense". Boston Globe. Retrieved 16 May 2010.