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| Lovespell | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Tom Donovan |
| Written by | Claire Labine |
| Produced by | Tom Hayes Douglas Hughes Claire Labine Thomas H. Ryan |
| Starring | Richard Burton Kate Mulgrew Nicholas Clay Cyril Cusack Niall O'Brien |
| Cinematography | Richard H. Kline |
| Edited by | Russell Lloyd |
| Music by | Paddy Moloney |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | John Lucas Ltd |
Release date |
|
Running time | 97 minutes |
| Countries | Ireland, United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Lovespell is a 1981 fantasy romantic tragedy film featuringRichard Burton as KingMark of Cornwall. It was directed byTom Donovan. It is based on the classic saga ofTristan and Isolde.
Filmed in Ireland in 1979 asTristan and Isolde[1] this film was eventually released for limited screenings in theaters in 1981 asLovespell.
Harry Hamlin auditioned for the film as well asClash of the Titans opting to do the latter so he could work withLaurence Olivier.[2]Nicholas Clay also read for the role of Perseus inClash of the Titans but when Hamlin got the role, Clay ended up as Tristan inLovespell.[3]
Lovespell is based around a love triangle between King Mark of Cornwall (Richard Burton),Isolt (Kate Mulgrew), andTristan (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 toCornwall. 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 theWhite 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 thewater, looks on.
