The Secret Of Moonacre

The Secret Of Moonacre
Richards heads for 'Moonacre' Pic is shooting in Budapest By ADAM DAWTREY LONDON — Dakota Blue Richards, the 13-year-old British actress who made her debut in the leading role of New Line's upcoming "The Golden Compass," has been cast as the central character in Gabor Csupo's "The Secret of Moonacre." The $27 million project, previously announced with the title "The Moon Princess," started shooting Oct. 1 in Budapest. It's based on the classic children's novel "The Little White Horse" by Elizabeth Goudge. Richards plays Maria, an orphan sent to live with her uncle in mysterious Moonacre Manor. There she enters a world of magical creatures, and discovers that she is the only person who can undo an ancient curse and save Moonacre Valley. Richards heads a cast that also includes Ioan Gruffudd, Tim Curry, Natascha McElhone and Juliet Stevenson. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117973092.html?categoryId=19&cs=1

Wow! thanks, annee! Could this be the new project we're waiting for?

Great news! I hope we will hear more about this movie. Thanks for sharing, Annee.

Wonderful news! Sounds like it might be a different type of role for Ioan, too. Just looked up the book and it says it is set in 1842 - so period piece - yumm! There was a mini-series called Moonacre based on the book. And J.K. Rowling calls it her favorite children's book. Nice creditials.

Just had a quick look and the same snippet seems to be on all the usual news sites. In the words of Fagin....."Good luck on your first day on the job, my dear. I'll be waiting for you here when you come home!"

I did a quick search for the book and the movie, too, and the premises are interesting. Info on the book (and the movie) can be found at http://www.thelittlewhitehorse.com/index.html

Ioan in the Victorian era - what's not to like!? :applaud: I think there's a Walden (Amazing Grace) connection here so it shouldn't have trouble getting distributed. The director is Gabor Csupo who also directed 'Bridge to Terabithia', a Walden film. Thanks Annee for another nice media alert!

Say, now THIS sounds very interesting. Find out someting new all the time, don't we? I love a good children's book anyway (even as OLD as I am!!), so will have to check this out!!!!!!! Thanks, Annee!

That site is great Frances. Hopefully, they will update as production starts. I wonder who Ioan will play. I never heard of the book as a child and it sounds like one I would have loved. Like you Shipmate I may have to check it out at the library before word gets out and everyone wants it. I wonder if they'll come out with a special edition of the book later. I seems like that would be a good idea for a Publisher. Something to look forward to, Just thought - maybe that's the reason for the long curls on the head of the Welshman. Victorian and looking Lancelot like to boot - not bad.

Sounds like a logical line of reasoning, GG!-----ooooh, this is getting neater by the minute............

...Info on the book (and the movie) can be found at http://www.thelittlewhitehorse.com/index.html The book sounds charming! Good find, Frances. :) I wonder if Ioan will be playing the lovable Sir Benjamin Merryweather (or maybe he'll be evil this time)? Here's a review of the book with the link following: Adventure at Moonacre Rohini Ramakrishnan Penniless at 13, Maria Merryweather has to leave London. Life in the country proves exciting, scary and romantic. The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge has a plot that is exciting, scary and romantic. Maria Merryweather finds herself penniless at the age of 13 when her father dies. Orphaned, she is forced to leave London, the city she grew up in. Accompanied by Miss Heliotrope and her spaniel Wiggins, she leaves the city she loves, to live with her second cousin Sir Benjamin Merryweather, in his manor house of Moonacre in the village of Silverydew. How the aristocratic Maria copes with the rough and tumble of country life and meets adventure. From day one, mystery shrouds the house — from her tiny little room, where no grown up can enter to the mysterious person who puts out her clothes and leaves a little posy of wet violets in the mornings to the unseen being who cooks delicious gigantic meals — the riddles remain unsolved, evoking the interest of the reader. Wrolf the dog and Zachariah the cat have their own secret tales and they are not what they seem to be! Feuds and vendettas of the past that still colour the present have Maria and her friend Robin determined to put things right in their part of the world. Misunderstandings are cleared and lovers are reunited. Characterisation is at its best especially in the lovable Sir Benjamin Merryweather and the hunchbacked dwarf, Marmaduke Scarlet, and the evil Monsieur Cocq de Noir. Descriptions whether they are of place, person, food or event fill the story, making visualisation vivid: "Marmaduke Scarlet had surpassed himself. It was amazing what he had got into a small space. Ham sandwiches. Jam sandwiches. Sausage rolls. Apple turnovers. Gingerbread. Saffron cake. Sugar biscuits. Radishes. A small crystal bottle of milk." Weaving the past and the present together enriches the plot. The language, is simple and direct, making it reader friendly. The only puzzling aspect is the title, for though the white horse has its significance, its presence is fleeting. Awarded the Carnegie Medal in 1946, and televised by the BBC as "Moonacre," the book is a completely satisfying experience and remains so for a long time. The Little White Horse, Elizabeth Goudge; Lion Publishing. http://www.hindu.com/yw/2004/06/12/stories/2004061200360400.htm

:applaud: I'm so excited! Appreciate all the new info!! :applaud:

Am glad to hear the news!
It's about time!!! This is great news to hear about a new project for him. This movie was also linked to Colin Firth awhile back. Wonder if he pulled out?

Re: Am glad to hear the news!
This movie was also linked to Colin Firth awhile back. Wonder if he pulled out? In fact, if you google this movie, Colin Firth is often associated to it. I also wonder if he pulled out.

This project sounds great. I (along with everyone else)absolutely love him in period pieces!

View Full Version: The Secret Of Moonacre