"I Capture the Castle" is a classy adaptation of the much-loved Dodie Smith classic written a few years before she wrote the children's staple "101 Dalmatians." Blessed with wonderful performances by Romola Garai and Rose Byrne, as two sisters trying to save their impoverished, eccentric family, the film should garner strong reviews. "Harry Potter" creator J.K. Rowling has called "I Capture the Castle" her favorite book." Mark Adams HOLLYWOOD REPORTER "Historical setting (and use of the word 'covet') aside, the telling of Cassandra's passage into maturity has all the wit and worldly savvy of a John Hughes classic. Newcomer Romola Garai is suitably reminiscent of teen angst queen Claire Danes. As well as the physical resemblance, she also possesses that familiar combination of soulful and sanguine. "I Capture the Castle" combines enough subtle humour and honest insights to offer a welcome antidote to the recent slew of gross-out teen flicks more concerned with baring ass than baring soul." Stella Papamichael BBCi FILMS "Put simply, it's a delight, with complex insight into the hopes and dreams of a girl coming of age that are perhaps too sophisticated to be in a film aimed at children. It isn't just for girls, as there's enough to keep the attention of most others, with soap opera twists in the love triangles, and side stories that blend in well with the main one, without detracting from the overall experience." The Wolf IOFILM.CO.UK

"All in all, this is a complex, moving tale about dealing with life, not accepting second best and having the courage to both love and be loved. The cast is excellent. Surprisingly, the most moving plot thread involves Garai and Cavill, the newest faces in the cast. They are terrific together, the emotional heart of the film." Rich Cline FILM THREAT "All the memorable scenes are here, true to the book, and the film does indeed capture the eccentric Mortmains to a tee. The relationship beteen Cassandra and her father is particularly moving. The film perfectly shows a teenager veering between wisdom beyond her years as the calm centre of the storm, and the adolescent's view of everything in life being related to one's self." Christina Maude SHADOWS ON THE WALL "Amiable, charming and with lots of gaiety and fun, this period adaptation of Dodie Smith's 1948 novel has plenty going for it. There's sprightly and emphatic direction from first-time feature director Tim Fywell - incidentally in charge of the new BBC TV series Cambridge Spies - and some lively performances from, among others, the imperishably excellent Bill Nighy and a striking contribution from Romola Garai." Peter Bradshaw THE GUARDIAN

At A Glance

"Romola Garai, Bill Nighy, Rose Byrne and Tara Fitzgerald lead a spirited coming-of-age drama set in rustic Suffolk and bohemian London in the 30s. Best known for '101 Dalmatians', author Dodie Smith was actually a shrewd observer of affairs of the heart. This adaptation of her first novel, developed in conjunction with BBC Films, is a girlhood drama that approaches familiar subject matter with a fair degree of wit and style." CHANNEL 4 FILM

"I Capture The Castle" is a delightful tale that will appeal, not only to women, but also those who fall into the catagory of 'romantics at heart'. I say that with this qualification, "I Capture The Castle" is one of those films which most men would tend to see as 'mushy', 'soppy', a 'girls' film, but is that really the case? Should "I Capture The Castle" be left to the 'girls', I mean, why should they have all the fun. Come on guys, there's plenty in it for you too. But don't take my word for it let me bring producer David Parfitt in to the arguement. Parfitt had this to say after reading Heidi Thomas's script, "For me it was like reading Bridget Jones's Diary which is not a book men are naturally attracted to. "I Capture The Castle" is about growing up and first love", he explained, "which has resonances for all of us." And as a guy, was there anything else in the script that was noteworthy? It's beautifully written", he said, "and very emotionally involving and I wanted to translate that to the screen."
So how faithfull is the film version to Dodi Smith's novel? "We took the script on quite a journey," says Parfitt. "Heidi produced drafts which were entirely focussed on each character: there was a Mortmain draft, a Neil draft, a Simon draft and so forth. We had a comedy draft and a drama draft." And did that necessitate much in the way of change during production? "Each time Heidi changed perhaps just five percent of the script to give it a different slant. And the outcome is that the characters and the storylines are incredibly well-developed and well-rounded." I have to agree with that. All the characters fit snugly into "I Capture The Castle".
Pivotal to the success of "I Capture The Castle" is the role of Cassandra, Hughs seventeen year old daughter who narrates the tale of the Mortmain family. It was critical that whoever was chosen to play the part could carry of the many sides to Cassandra, after all at the films start she is an innocent, naïve seventeen year old 1930s girl but at films end she would need to appear both wise and mature.
"I must have been late that day because when I walked into the room Romola was already seated," Director Tim Fywell said. "As I saw her I felt that slight thrill you experience when you know you have hit on something. Romola had a unique ability to play a character sitting on both sides of the knife's edge between child and womanhood." As luck would have it Romola Garai was familiar with Dodi Smith's novel. "I read "I Capture The Castle" when I was thirteen years old," Garai says. "It's a seminal coming of age book which I read in my formative years and, like any book which you read at that impressionable age, you admire and relate to the lead character. But it's quite a pressure having to actually be her! "Heidi's characterisation of Cassandra is flawless," she continued. "She's a very real, earthy, honest character, unlike many other great literary heroines who tend to be glassy or aloof. The great thing about Cassandra is that through her journal she has a medium to communicate her innermost thoughts to the audience in an honest way."
While "I Capture The Castle" is set in Suffolk, England, there is a big Australian connection in the film with aussie actress Rose Byrne starring as Rose. "We found Rose completely by accident," Parfitt explained. "She is an Australian actress who plays a Brit in our film and who just happened to be passing through LA at the right time. She had just got off a plane and the poor thing was shoved in front of me and Tim, having only just hurriedly read the script." Byrne must have made a big impression. "She was just fantastic," says Fywell, "and I had no doubt of her ability to carry off the English accent." Sounds great but what did Rose Byrne think? Byrne was most forthcoming, she was full of praise for Garai explaining that the films succeeds thanks to her co-star. "I really don't think the film would work so well if someone else was playing Cassandra," Byrne says. "Romola is such a genuine, generous actress. Playing opposite her, it was so easy to create the dynamic between the two sisters, and that dynamic is integral both to the book and the film."
Of course there is much more, a whole lot more that could be said about "I Capture The Castle". The setting, its characters, the period clothing, the self sacrifice and conflict, but I'll leave that for you to discover when you see the film. Suffice to say there is much in "I Capture The Castle" that should appeal to both sexes. The Story

"Tim Fywell's adaptation of Dodie Smith's much-loved novel I Capture The Castle is a pert, good-looking entertainment that feels like a labour of love. One of the funniest strands in the film is watching the youngest Mortmain, the precocious Thomas pore over the breathless letters Rose sends the family about her fabulous life in London." ..... Anthony Quinn INDEPENDENT NEWS

It's 1934 and times are tough for the Mortmain family. Cassandra, Rose, Thomas and Topaz are concerned that Hugh is becoming more reclusive as each day passes. They make do with what they have, and that is very little. The rent on the rundown castle they live in hasn't been paid for two years and now for the first time, Hugh has not received his annual royalty check from sales of his first book. In desperation, Hughs daughter Rose decides to kiss one of the castles gargoyles and makes a wish that will change their lives. Rose offers to give herself, to sacrifice her life if it will bring comfort for her family. As if by magic, the new owners of the property, Simon and Neil Cotton stumble across the family when their car becomes bogged on a wet, wintry night. Rose is immediately attracted the the handsome Simon and vows to marry him. His wealth will set her family free. Perhaps Rose should have heeded that old saying, 'watch what you wish for." The Verdict "A charming tale that will attract mums, daughters and women in general. "I Capture The Castle" is a spirited look at an eccentric family, poverty stricken and living in a rundown castle that will appeal to all those who have a 'romantic streak' within. Generates an inner warmth which will ward off the chill of winter." The Cast & Crew

Romola Garai Rose Byrne Henry Thomas Marc Blucas Bill Nighy Tara Fitzgerald Sinéad Cusack Henry Cavill

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

Cassandra Mortmain Rose Mortmain Simon Cotton Neil Cotton James Mortmain Topaz Mortmain Mrs Cotton Stephen Colley

From the novel by Dodie Smith - author of 101 Dalmations Directed by Tim Fywell Original Music by Dario Marianelli Cinematography by Richard Greatrex Production Design by John Paul Kelly Screenplay by Heidi Thomas Film Editing by Roy Sharman Casting by Deborah Aquila/Kate Rhodes James & Mary Tricia Wood Art Direction by Mike Stallion & Leigh Walker Set Decoration by Judy Farr Run Time 113 minutes Rated PG [AUST] Copyright © 2003 - Samuel Goldwyn Films/IDP Films - All Rights Reserved Copyright © 2003 - Impact Internet Services - All Rights Reserved