MY COUSIN RACHEL

Author Daphne du Maurier was often categorised as a "romantic novelist", a term she hated, given her novels often had gloomy endings, sinister overtones and hints of the paranormal. Published in 1951, 'My Cousin Rachel' instantly became one of her most popular novels. Like the earlier 'Rebecca', it is a mystery-romance, set primarily on a large estate in Cornwall, where du Maurier spent much of her life.

The first film adaptation of 'My Cousin Rachel', starring Richard Burton in his debut Hollywood role and Olivia de Havilland, was released in 1952, yet the definitive du Maurier adaptation has always been Alfred Hitchcock's 'Rebecca' (with de Havilland's sister and longtime rival Joan Fontaine in the lead role). This latest adaptation, with a screenplay written and directed by Roger Michell ('Notting Hill', 'Enduring Love'), delves even deeper into the novel's exploration of the nature of good and evil.

A dark British period romance set in the 19th century, it tells the story of a callow country nerd (Sam Claflin, 'The Hunger Games: Catching Fire', 'The Riot Club') who, after receiving some strange, accusatory letters, plots revenge against his mysterious and beautiful cousin, Rachel (Academy Award-winner Rachel Weisz, 'Youth', 'The Constant Gardener'), believing she murdered his beloved guardian, Ambrose (played again by Claflin in a brief scene). His feelings become complicated when this half-Italian harlot turns up on his doorstep in Cornwall, penniless, and he finds himself falling helplessly and obsessively in love with her despite the quiet objections of his godfather (Iain Glen, 'Game of Thrones', 'Eye In The Sky'), the family lawyer (Simon Russell Beale, 'Penny Dreadful') and his lifelong friend Louise (Holliday Grainger, 'Cinderella', 'The Borgias').