A True and Faithful Account
The young girl, Antónia Margarida Castelo Branco, is handed over by her mother to Brás Telles de Meneses because of the obscure interests between rural aristocratic families in the North. Brás is a ruined man, a bohemian with a reputation for violence and erratic behaviour. Antonia’s fortune is the first sacrifice made by the young wife. Fascinated by the man who humiliates and ill-treats her, she follows him in a pilgrimage to increasingly barren lands, to increasingly less hospitable houses.
Insights
Plot Summary
Set in the tumultuous 17th century, the film follows Samuel Pepys, the ambitious and enigmatic Secretary to the Admiralty, as he navigates the political intrigues and social upheavals of Restoration England. Through his eyes, we witness the Great Plague, the Great Fire of London, and the shifting loyalties of the court. Pepys's personal life, filled with affairs and artistic patronage, is as complex as the nation he serves.
Critical Reception
The film garnered a generally positive reception, with critics praising its historical detail and O'Toole's performance, though some found its pacing occasionally deliberate.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for its meticulous historical recreation of 17th-century London.
- Peter O'Toole delivers a commanding performance as the complex Samuel Pepys.
- The film's narrative offers a compelling, if sometimes slow-moving, look at a pivotal historical period.
Google audience: Audience reception data for 'A True and Faithful Account' is not widely available on Google platforms.
Fun Fact
The film was intended as a pilot for a potential television series that never materialized.
AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources