A Hazard of Hearts

This is a 1981 film that is at times acted out more like in the late 40's or 50's, which surprised me, as I had felt by 1980 films in general had advanced to more realistic styles.Having said that, and come to terms with it, I sat back to enjoy the storyline. It actually has a great premise if it were done today---as long as it didn't get mired down in sex, vulgarity and political comment. Barbara Cartland is always a bit over the top anyway, so from that stand point it's kind of fun to see a novel acted out pretty much the way it is written.Also to like, is a quite young and fresh Helena Bonham-Carter who hasn't developed quite into the fantastic talent she would become, but her skills are very evident and promising. The scenery is beautiful and the costumes and sets fitting for a Barbara Cartland novel.A young maiden's obsessed gambler father has lost everything in a night of gambling and desperate to gain it back, he foolishly barters his one and only precious daughter to a ruthless, heartless Lord (one of several in the movie). Thinking "surely" fate couldn't be so unkind as to let him lose yet again, he feels confident he'll win and gain back his money and estate, but alas "lady fate is a cruel master after all". He proceeds to shoot himself after leaving the room and a young handsome Lord Volcom steps in to make his own bet for the young maiden PLUS $800,000. He wins and the rest of the story is woven around the events that transpire as a result of that bet. Wickedness, rumored ghosts (that--surprise!!--- aren't), villains and heroes, and a sword fight. This is definitely a Barbara Cartland novel on film. Enjoy to your heart's wildly romantic imagination! Just as with her boo0ks, let yourself get lost in the damsel in distress, rescued valiantly by the hero on horse back, who will sweep you up and carry you away, chest heaving, heart racing!With this particular dvd copy, the order stated it shipped from Amazon, but usually Amazon comes earlier than what they state, unless it comes from out of the country. I ordered it on 1/28/21 and just received it today, 3/15/21 (that was it), so I don't know what was up with that; it plays just fine. Two split-second freezes, but that was it. It's a bit fuzzy----most looks "old". Obviously not remastered. I've seen black and white's from the 50's that are much clearer. But it's not a blockbuster film, so it's certainly watchable for what it is and after a while I didn't even notice.

I was disappointed in resolution of images.

Movie was great, to be expected for that time ( year) and since it was based on a Barbara Cartland novel, you can't really judge it too harshly. Lol.

I remember watching this when it first aired and really enjoyed it. I would like to share this with a couple of friends.

I know that Lord Grade (as producer) has been jokingly referred to as "Low" Grade and I knew that Barbara Cartland is supposed to be absolute dreck, but, even given that, this 'film' is so much worse than I expected considering some of the talent involved. Diana Rigg does seem to consciously add a bit of camp to the proceedings and has some very amusing (intentionally? maybe not) lines, but it's a shame that former Avengers writer/producer Albert Fennell couldn't come up with something more worthy of her considering the great genuine wit of that series. We even have music by Avengers composer Laurie Johnson. And one of the New Avengers has a nice little cameo. The dialogue, which I am assuming, comes full-blown from the pen of Cartland (all I can think about is that great Little Britain sketch with Matt Lucas in drag churning out yet another bad formulaic assembly-line bodice-ripper) is some of the most atrocious, cliché, and insipid I have heard in years. I thought they, thankfully, stopped making movies this bad some time in the 1930s. Some of the apparently clueless women who love this sort of coded 'romance' novel and who claim to swoon over the spoiled brat control freaks (not far removed from Cristian Gray) that supposedly pass for men in this odious world of 'romance' are just mind-boggling at not recognizing abusive behavior for what it is. It's anything but romantic.

justin is so handsome ，helena is so cute ，so pure

love this movie!

Best, love this movie.

i bought this for my mum as it was one of her favourite films while I was growing up. A few years ago, I bought this film for my mum on VHS but it's been a while now and the VHS copy is starting to fade. She was so happy when she received this dvd. She went straight home and all the sappiness and drama made her day.

Bought this as a gift for my mum who used to love this film years ago. She was so pleased to receive it. This is the only place I could find this dvd and at a great price with free delivery. Hope to find more old gems here in the future.

a must have

excellent

The DVD was awful it was not in English had to take a guess so I could get subtitles of and the and the quality was so bad