Subject:

Comments:
: : Robert S. Frett and Michael Sutin in London have written the definitive screenplay about John Wilmot's life and are looking for a film producer to make the film. : : ROCHESTER SYNOPSIS : : On his deathbed, John Wilmot, the second Earl of Rochester remembers instances of his life in the last few seconds of his existence. Under the influence of primitive medical treatment, he has extraordinary vivid visions of the great and the unhappy moments of his colourful and bawdy career. : : Against his will, better judgement and the financial constraints imposed on him by the Crown, Rochester is forced to become an unwilling confederate in the risqué activities behind the closed doors of Charles 11`s : : exuberant monarchy. : : He recalls his youth and his first nervous encounter with the Whitehall wits on the Christmas of 1664 when he was a fresh-faced seventeen-year-old. : : He becomes part of the Merry Gang who are renowned for their drunkenness, vivacious conversation and extravagant frolics. As any spoilt brat who has high intelligence, or as a pop singer who reaches the top before he is mature enough to cope, John Wilmot overdoes everything. : : As he is financed by the King, he is obliged to spend the majority of his life at Court, leaving his wife, Elizabeth Mallet, a virtual hermit in the country. : : Reprimanded by the King, over his affairs, escapades and adventures, secure for Rochester temporary periods of banishment for his misdemeanours but is always welcomed back after a few months. Very few members of the King's close circle benefit from such kindness. : : Rochester's wit becomes legend. His intelligent poetry, satires and plays are so sharp, that he shines out like a star amongst his contemporaries. His ability to create the most exquisite love poems is without question but at the same time his ographic plays and lewd poetry are banned from publication. : : Over the next seventeen years, wine, debauchery, creeping syphilis, alcoholism, eye disease, bladder stones and mercury poisoning, compounded by his addiction to laudanum all take their toll, gradually destroying him physically. As his relationships with his wife and the King slowly deteriorate he exiles himself to his country house where he finds God. : : He dies in agony in his bed at the age of thirty-three. : I would *love* to see a film of Milord R's life, though I'm not sure you'd ever get it past the censors! :-) : A friend of a friend is working on a stage production about his life at the moment which should premiere in London sometime this year. I don't know what kind of backing they've received from anywhere, but maybe it would be helpful to you. : I'll keep you informed with any information as to dates if you're interested in seeing the production. : Blessings, : Loux

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL: