The film follows 17-year-old Cassandra Mortmain (Romola Garai) and the fortunes of her eccentric family as they struggle to survive in a decaying English castle. Her father (Bill Nighy) is desperate to repeat the spectacular success of his first novel, but has not written a word in 12 years; her exquisite sister Rose (Rose Byrne) can only rail against their fate; and their Bohemian step-mother Topaz (Tara Fitzgerald) is a nudist and no help at all. Salvation comes in the form of their handsome, new American landlord Simon Cotton (Henry Thomas) and his brother Neil (Marc Blucas). Although initially repelled by Simon, Rose is determined to make him fall in love with her. But events spiral out of control and, before the summer ends, there will be frustrated desire, first love and broken hearts. Newly remastered.

British period piece romance film fans should rejoice over I CAPTURE THE CASTLE, a film that earns its emotional payoffs, and manages to avoid the many clever and cloying traps that befall many of its brethren. Based on the novel by Dodie Smith, the tale surrounds an artistic family living in 1930s England in a rundown castle, waiting for their high-strung father to finish his next novel. Narrated by the 17-year-old daughter, Cassandra Mortmain (Romola Garai) who lives in the shadow of her older sister Rose (Rose Byrne), the film sweeps the viewer along on a believable mood of wistful longing, especially when two handsome brothers (Henry Thomas and Marc Blucas) come to visit the manor next door. Romance is in the air, but everyone soon finds themselves hopelessly ensnared in triangles of affection, and for all its victim's sweetness and good intentions, love is determined to run its own, contrary course.

Thanks to an intelligent but not overly dry script there are plenty of rich characterization and dialogue to go around; and the cast is excellent, with Garai--beautiful and quietly brilliant in her first major role--a standout. Dario Marianelli's score achieves moments of genuine greatness and adds immeasurably to the film's emotional impact. Anyone looking for that rare romantic film that has both heart and brains, realism and magic, humor and tragedy, all in the least treacly, most refreshing senses of the words, this is the CASTLE to keep.