first all st ives film fairly loosely based robert louis stevenson story name once criticism original novel workinprogress unfinished authors death freely adapting giving ending filmmakers brought life endearing characters who although different stevensons originals would sure charmed amused himbr br it  capitaine jacques de kroual de saintyves breton aristocrat orphaned revolutions guillotine serving hussar napoleons army meet going evening claiming since hussar dead  a blackguard he  on borrowed time certainly faces string challenges duels dashing hero seems danger surreal prank colonel provides way duels bed beautiful courtesansinger unfortunately also results losing commission misadventures result taken prisoner british sent pow camp scottish castlebr br while carving toys boxes jacques catches attention flora young niece miss susan gilchrist welltravelled woman world lives swanston cottage fall love story concerns flora helping jacques escape find emigr grandfather old comte course problem jacques older brother alain dissolute alcoholic  perhaps understandably  far pleased grandfather disinherits front whole household instant jacques appeared cue treachery also entertaining subplot romance awkward naf goodhearted major farquhar chevening aunt susan travelled ottoman empire prisoner turksbr br even allowing natural prejudice favour film heroines share surname st ives magic combines splendidly swashbuckling swordfights balloonflight comedy romantic adventure would recommend anyone loves the kind film make anymore  fairbanks colman flynn  co acting splendid anna friel makes flora spirited appealing heroine jeanmarc barr delightful jacques genuinely lovable hero miranda richardson richard e grant already great favourites mine great fun susan farquhar whose relationship runs comic counterpoint leads rakish scheming ultimately tragic alain jason isaacs shows recently the patriot classic swashbuckling style besides dashing good looks please please someone cast hero genrebr br my main quibbles film concern settings costumes book castle jacques prisoner clearly edinburgh film shot ireland germany france highlandised setting making retention place names swanston inveresk queensferry decidedly incongruous costumes real hotchpotch s period set would implausible downmarket characters making do seems odd welltodo ladies heroines wearing s gowns  clearly costuming decision sthetic earlier styles visually far appealing elegant regency fashions work idealised world film whole st ives  minutes pure delight