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IMDbPro

A Hazard of Hearts

  • TV Movie
  • 1987
  • Not Rated
  • 1h 30m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
1.6K
YOUR RATING
A Hazard of Hearts (1987)
Costume DramaPeriod DramaDramaRomance

When compulsive gambler Sir Giles Staverley (Christopher Plummer) has lost his estate and all of his money playing dice, he realizes that he only has one thing left of value: his daughter Se... Read allWhen compulsive gambler Sir Giles Staverley (Christopher Plummer) has lost his estate and all of his money playing dice, he realizes that he only has one thing left of value: his daughter Serena (Helena Bonham Carter). In a final game, he stakes his daughter's hand in marriage, c... Read allWhen compulsive gambler Sir Giles Staverley (Christopher Plummer) has lost his estate and all of his money playing dice, he realizes that he only has one thing left of value: his daughter Serena (Helena Bonham Carter). In a final game, he stakes his daughter's hand in marriage, convinced that this time he will not lose. Unfortunately, however, he does lose; to the evi... Read all

  • Director
    • John Hough
  • Writers
    • Barbara Cartland
    • Terence Feely
  • Stars
    • Diana Rigg
    • Edward Fox
    • Helena Bonham Carter
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.7/10
    1.6K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • John Hough
    • Writers
      • Barbara Cartland
      • Terence Feely
    • Stars
      • Diana Rigg
      • Edward Fox
      • Helena Bonham Carter
    • 30User reviews
    • 6Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos137

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    Top cast34

    Edit
    Diana Rigg
    Diana Rigg
    • Lady Harriet Vulcan
    Edward Fox
    Edward Fox
    • Lord Harry Wrotham
    Helena Bonham Carter
    Helena Bonham Carter
    • Serena Staverley
    Fiona Fullerton
    Fiona Fullerton
    • Lady Isabel Gillingham
    Neil Dickson
    Neil Dickson
    • Nicholas
    Christopher Plummer
    Christopher Plummer
    • Sir Giles Staverley
    Stewart Granger
    Stewart Granger
    • Old Vulcan
    Anna Massey
    Anna Massey
    • Eudora
    Eileen Atkins
    Eileen Atkins
    • Lady Harriet's Maid
    Gareth Hunt
    Gareth Hunt
    • Joker
    Marcus Gilbert
    Marcus Gilbert
    • Lord Justin Vulcan
    Robert Addie
    Robert Addie
    • Lord Peter Gillingham
    James Gaddas
    James Gaddas
    • Lord John Burley
    Christopher Villiers
    Christopher Villiers
    • Captain Jackson
    Ben Aris
    • Lieutenant of Dragoons
    Genevieve Allenbury
    Genevieve Allenbury
    • Yvette
    Lea Rochelle
    • Marie Louise
    Kenny Ireland
    Kenny Ireland
    • Padlett
    • Director
      • John Hough
    • Writers
      • Barbara Cartland
      • Terence Feely
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews30

    6.71.6K
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    10

    Featured reviews

    8Sleepin_Dragon

    A really rather good love story.

    I have never been a fan of this genre, nor a fan of romantic novels from the likes of Barbara Cartland, but I have to say I love this movie. A story of love and greed set against the absurdity of the British class system, does true love conquer all? This movie will answer that question for you.

    It moves along nicely, it looks wonderful, sets and costumes etc, and of course there are the beautiful people, Helena Bonham Carter and Marcus Gilbert, she is soft and feminine, and so beautiful, he's handsome and charming, the pair are great. As is so often the case, the villains steal the show, Fox and Rigg are an absolute joy to watch, they make it worth a look.

    It is romantic, but it has a story, and a bit of action, it is definitely worth seeing, 8/10.
    6ma-cortes

    Romance story with luxurious and spectacular scenarios against British high class

    Compulsive gambler Sir Giles(Christopher Plummer) has lost his money an estate playing against Lord Wrotham(Edward Fox) . He realises which he only has one thing , his gorgeous daughter Serena(Helena Bonham Carter). Giles stakes his daughter's hand in marriage to villain Lord. Sir Giles lost and he commits suicide himself. Then Lord Justin Vulcan(Marcus Gilbert) is witnessed the deeds and stakes Lord Wrotham to play dices. Justin wins and he now finding himself as owner of the Gilles's mansion and Serena.Lord Justin installs her as a guest at Mandrake palace with maid included(Anna Massey). Trouble is, he can not marry her, until she solves the secret issues contains the mansion.Unfortunately, she becomes a strange into the house and the ambitious Justin's mother , Lady Harriet Vulcan( a despicable Diana Rigg) has less than honorable intentions over Serena.

    This is a romance-drama plenty of suspense, intrigue, dark secrets,passion and plot-twists. It's an amusing movie and regency romance fans will appreciate the attention to period detail. Based on the romance novel with similar title by Barbara Catland. In fact belongs to quatrain movies directed by John Hough, with similar scenarios and style; same producer(Albert Fennell, Sir Lew Grade), musician(Laurie Johnson) and author(Barbara Catland), these are : 'A ghost of Montecarlo'(Lysette Anthony,Sarah Miles, Marcus Gilbert), 'The lady and the highway man'(Hugh Grant, Lysette Anthony) and 'Duel of Hearts'(Alison Doody, Michael York).

    The motion picture is professionally directed by John Hough. He has an eclectic and long filmmaker career , starting in TV movies(The protectors, Avengers), directing Hammer movies(Twins of evil), mediocre horror films(Howling IV, American Gothic), adventures(Island of treasure) and wholesome Disney family fare(Return and escape to witch mountain).Rating : Acceptable and passable, this television movie will like to romantic stories fans.
    dmbreaux

    Help!

    I saw this movie when it aired in 1987 on the ABC network. I absolutely loved it. My mom taped it and I watched it everyday after school and all summer long, until... MY MOM TAPED OVER IT ACCIDENTALLY!!! I was absolutely devastated, and needless to say, my mom still has not lived it down. HELP! I have searched for this movie for 14 years, and am desperate to get a copy of it. Even if it has all the old commercials--any condition. Where can I find a copy? Please help me locate a copy of this most adorable movie. Thank you for any assistance you may lend to assist me.
    10Miss-Cellaneous

    A wonderful movie you can't easily forget!

    Years ago a friend introduced me to "A Hazard of Hearts" and I've been hooked ever since. Not only for Marcus Gilbert's beauty, though that doesn't hurt, but because it brings to life an era which seems more fantasy than the reality it once was. Never pass up the privilege of enjoying it's romance and mystique. If ever I'm fortunate enough to discover it again, I will be most pleased.
    7jsabrina

    A Barbara Cartland romance

    The strength of this film is the performance of Helena Bonham-Carter in an early role. The plot comes straight from a romance novel, and thus is only for those who enjoy tales of young women in desperate situations that they overcome through spunk and the unexpected love of a mysterious nobleman, but it's a fun and charming way to pass a couple of hours.

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    Related interests

    Mia Goth and Anya Taylor-Joy in Emma. (2020)
    Costume Drama
    Emma Watson, Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh, and Eliza Scanlen in Little Women (2019)
    Period Drama
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca (1942)
    Romance

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Features two Bond Girls, Dame Diana Rigg and Fiona Fullerton, as well as Edward Fox, who played "M" in the unofficial James Bond movie, Never Say Never Again (1983).
    • Goofs
      Just after Justin asks Serena to marry him for the first time and he then walks toward the window, you can see a thin microphone being poked towards him as the walks away - the sound guy then realises it's in shot and pulls it back.
    • Quotes

      Lord Justin Vulcan: Are you afraid of love or merely of me?

    • Connections
      Referenced in Wogan: Episode #7.82 (1987)

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 27, 1987 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Wagnis der Liebe
    • Filming locations
      • Belvoir Castle, Belvoir, Leicestershire, England, UK(Mandrake - Lord Vulcan's estate)
    • Production companies
      • Gainsborough Pictures
      • The Grade Company
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 30m(90 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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