Zastrozzi, A Romance

Zastrozzi, A Romance
Based on	Zastrozzi byPercy Bysshe Shelley
Screenplay by	David G. Hopkins
Directed by	David G. Hopkins
Starring	Tilda Swinton Mark McGann Geff Francis Max Wall Yvonne Bryceland
Composer	Martin Kiszko
Country of origin	United Kingdom
Original language	English
No.of series	1
No.of episodes	4
Production
Producers	Lindsey C. Vickers, David Lascelles
Running time	52 minutes
Production company	Channel Four Films
Original release
Network	Channel 4
Release	13 April(1986-04-13)– 4 May 1986(1986-05-04)

Zastrozzi, A Romanceis a 1986 four-part British television miniseries starringTilda Swinton,Mark McGann,andMax Wallbased onPercy Bysshe Shelley's 1810eponymous Gothic horror novel.It was produced byChannel Four Filmsand shown onChannel 4in the UK and onPBSin the U.S.

Plot

The plot revolves around an outlaw, Zastrozzi, who seeks revenge against his half-brother, Verezzi, whom he kidnaps and tortures. The story is about revenge and obsession. Zastrozzi seeks the death of Verezzi motivated by revenge. He works with Matilda to destroy Verezzi's relationship with Julia, whom Verezzi intends to marry. They concoct a deception that Julia is dead. Verezzi believes the lie. He becomes vulnerable to Matilda's seduction. When Verezzi discovers that Julia is not dead, staggered by his own betrayal, he kills himself. Matilda kills Julia in retaliation.

The setting and time period have been changed from 1810 Munich, Passau, and Venice to 1986 England. All of the major characters have been retained.

Cast and characters

2018 DVD release.

*Geff Francisas Zastrozzi, an outlaw and a criminal

• Mark McGannas Verezzi, a victim of Zastrozzi's revenge
• Tilda Swintonas Julia, the intended wife of Verezzi
• Hilary Trott as Matilda, seduces Verezzi in plan concocted with Zastrozzi
• Matthew Zajac as Ugo, works for Zastrozzi
• Bernard Padden as Bernardo, works for Zastrozzi
• Max Wallas Oliver the Priest, an irreverent priest
• Yvonne Brycelandas Claudine, a wheel-chair bound elderly woman
• David Trevena as the Doctor
• Maxine Audleyas Bianca
• Chris Barrieas the Waiter

Episodes

No.	Title	Original air date
1	"Chapter One: Capture"	13 April 1986(1986-04-13)
Verezzi is abducted by Ugo and Bernardo, two henchmen working for the mysterious outlaw Zastrozzi. He is able to escape.
2	"Chapter Two: Conspiracy"	20 April 1986(1986-04-20)
Verezzi is befriended by Claudine. Zastrozzi and Matilda conspire to manipulate Verezzi. They keep him under their control.
3	"Chapter Three: Seduction"	27 April 1986(1986-04-27)
Matilda informs Verezzi that Julia is dead. He then succumbs to her advances.
4	"Chapter Four: Murder"	4 May 1986(1986-05-04)
Verezzi discovers that Julia is alive. He kills himself because he regards his romance with Matilda as a betrayal. Outraged, Matilda kills Julia.

Reception

The miniseries was shown on British television in 1986 on Channel 4. It was also shown on American television onPBSin a version byWNETon the "Channel Crossings" program.In 1990,Jeremy Isaacsnamed the dramatisation ofZastrozzias one of the 10 programmes of which he was most proud during his tenure as Channel 4's chief executive.

John J. O'Connor reviewed the miniseries in theNew York Timeswhen it debuted on PBS in the U.S. on 16 October 1986.He characterized the production as “admirably adventurous and provocative” and deemed it "a strange and imaginative film".

A soundtrack album featuring the film score composed byMartin Kiszkowas released in 2017.

The complete four-part mini-series was released on DVD by Simply Media on two discs on October 8, 2018 in the UK.

External links

• Zastrozzi, A RomanceatIMDb