In Elizabethan times a young bride, Lavinia (Jenny Hanley) becomes disenchanted with marriage when her faithless husband Robin continues to pay more attention to the ladies that inhabit their castle than herself. In desperation she ends up seeking out a forest dwelling witch, but could her actions backfire on her?
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00:00West Country Tales
00:20When handsome Robin offered his heart and hand to Lavinia,
00:24elder daughter and heiress of old Sir Hector Groves,
00:28it was, from his point of view, a marriage of convenience.
00:51Her dowry included some of the best hunting country in the district,
00:55and since her old father quickly succumbed to the demon drink and the screws,
01:00the inheritance soon became Robin's to enjoy.
01:04Hunting of one sort or another is the mainspring of Robin's existence,
01:09and he doesn't see why marriage should make any difference
01:12to his headlong pursuit of deer, boar, fox, otter, rabbit, and other women.
01:19John, when do you expect the rest?
01:26His wife Lavinia is rarely, if ever, his quarry,
01:30and she's never invited to join him in the hunt.
01:39She'd give years of her life and all her old age just to be included.
01:50Come on.
01:51Bye, Robin.
01:54She longs to race after him, but the lady of the manor does not behave like that.
02:06Her house is always full of his friends.
02:10He likes it that way.
02:13Now, she wouldn't mind, but there is no comfort in their presence.
02:18They stay apart.
02:20She knows they make fun of her.
02:28They make little attempt to hide it.
02:32The women guests gather in secluded parts of the garden and share a whispered secret,
02:40but never with her.
03:02I just got caught up in the bush.
03:04Why does the wronged wife always feel at a loss,
03:08as if his reputation was her fault?
03:17Poor Lavinia's loneliness is quite complete.
03:32Robin leads a hectic social life.
03:35He loves parties with his friends.
04:01Lavinia tries hard to join in,
04:05but sooner or later, her husband's boredness reaches a point where she cannot ignore it.
04:13Laughter
04:29He wouldn't hurt her feelings for the world,
04:32but some women are as jealous as cats.
04:37Laughter
04:39He prefers the easygoing sort.
04:42Laughter
04:45Laughter
05:04There's a lock on her door to keep out drunken husbands.
05:10She never needs it.
05:15Laughter
05:28Laughter
05:45Laughter
05:51At last, his room is quiet.
05:58Perhaps, if she's gentle, tempting...
06:10Oh, the shame, it's too much.
06:13Her husband behaving like an animal.
06:19It wouldn't be so bad if she had her share.
06:24A mild rage stirs her, and she determines it is time to act.
06:29She will consult the only person she can trust.
06:33Her maid.
06:37Palmanders, possets and potions.
06:40A posset?
06:41Now she resorts to the book of cures.
06:44Perhaps, I can pick those myself.
06:47An intimate article of my husband's clothing.
06:51Well, you can get that...
06:52According to her maid, it's infallible.
06:55She'll try it. She's desperate.
06:58Meanwhile, her husband plays on.
07:07Laughter
07:11Laughter
07:16Come on, then.
07:20Laughter
07:22Laughter
07:40Time for the courting time.
07:43For old time's sake.
07:45Coriander, to inflame him with love.
07:49Cleavers, so that they should cleave to each other.
07:54And a red rose, for passion.
07:58A good stir, Mum.
08:00I think...
08:02It's all right.
08:05Perhaps...
08:10I think more herbs.
08:11Yes, yes, Mum.
08:12More herbs.
08:13I think...
08:16Put it all in.
08:18Why not?
08:20There'll be a strong brew.
08:22The rose, please. Rose.
08:24You remember, Mum, what the rose is for.
08:35One more thing, I think, Jo.
08:37Yes, Mum?
08:38Did you manage to get my husband's intimate apparel?
08:42I did, Mum.
08:46He's best.
08:48Yes, of course, Mum.
08:52Stir well, Mum.
08:59Lovely, Mum.
09:01The mystic brew is brewed.
09:06Now, to try its power.
09:16Oh!
09:24To love.
09:37But it turns out that the posset has unhappy side effects.
09:42There, there, Mum.
09:44Don't take on so.
09:46You'll spoil your pretty face.
09:48Yes, there, Mum.
09:51How are you feeling now?
09:53Sick.
09:54Oh, Mum.
09:55Oh, look, go and get my husband.
09:57See if this has worked.
10:03The maid has done her best.
10:05She's arranged her mistress in a French nightgown
10:08She's arranged her mistress in a French nightgown
10:11that will open at the twitch of a string to reveal all.
10:23Eventually, the reluctant Robin feels obliged to visit his ailing wife.
10:30She's wearing, where did you get that?
10:33Please wait a second.
10:37Morning, Robin.
10:38Morning.
10:41Feeling better?
10:43Yes.
10:45Good.
10:46Good.
10:51He's done his duty.
10:56Well.
10:58Must go.
10:59Pressing business.
11:01Besides, Lavinia may be infectious.
11:11And you, it's your fault.
11:13Out!
11:16Out!
11:20I, I...
11:21Go!
11:23Thanks, Mum.
11:25So much for posits.
11:27Moments later, she hears voices.
11:49He might at least keep out of earshot.
11:52The beast, it's the last straw.
12:12Next day, Lavinia paces the grounds,
12:15desperately trying to think of a way to tempt her husband.
12:19Oh, there you are, Mum.
12:20I thought you might like a drink.
12:33Hours of meditation have not provided one single good idea.
12:44I think fair, Joan, only fair.
12:47But all is not lost.
12:49The maid has another plan up her sleeve.
12:52Or at least, she had.
13:02The witch's house.
13:03Joan, what's this?
13:04Yes, madam.
13:05Well, the posit didn't...
13:09The way through the woods, the withy woods,
13:12to the den where the witch lives.
13:19Yes.
13:23I'm not feeling better.
13:29That night, they set off together, the two women, through the darkness.
13:50It's a long way and rough going, but Robin will be worth it.
13:57When they reach the deeper woods, the maid's courage fails her.
14:04Mum, I do not like it.
14:07I am taken with a strange fearfulness.
14:12Oh, Joan.
14:14I beg your pardon.
14:16All right, fine.
14:18I must go on.
14:19I beg your pardon, ma'am.
14:20You go back.
14:22Mum, take care, ma'am.
14:25Yes.
14:37Lavinia goes on alone into the forest.
14:47She need not have worried about finding the cottage.
14:50It was bathed in eerie light.
14:54A strange tinkling sound steals through the night,
14:58guiding Lavinia to her destination.
15:01It was bathed in eerie light.
15:04A strange tinkling sound steals through the night,
15:08guiding Lavinia to her destination.
15:17The witch is a surprising person.
15:20Lavinia was expecting a different sort of woman.
15:26Are you the witch of withy wood?
15:30So they tell me.
15:33Then it's you I came to see.
15:37She is soon at ease in discussing her problems.
15:41The witch is remarkably understanding.
15:46Can you help me?
15:47How looks your husband?
15:49Oh, he is fair of face.
15:52He has laughing eyes, brown hair,
15:56a moustache, a little beard.
15:59He's handsome.
16:01You must trick him into coming here to me.
16:05When?
16:07Tomorrow.
16:09My day.
16:12Yes.
16:18Goodbye.
16:20The night passes,
16:22and it is almost dawn when Lavinia departs,
16:26full of hope.
16:39She hurries back to the manor to fall exhausted into bed.
16:50Oh!
16:58Next morning she follows Robin,
17:01doesn't let him out of her sight,
17:03waits a moment, and then, taking courage,
17:06puts forward her proposition.
17:09Robin?
17:13May I ask an errand with you?
17:20You know that I have been ill.
17:22Well, I would like, please, some medicine.
17:27And I believe, if you follow this map,
17:30you can get some from the witch in Bibby's Wood.
17:36Who?
17:37The witch.
17:39The witch.
17:43The witch.
17:46Oh, come on, now.
17:50Sorry.
17:53Oh, sorry.
17:59Oh, all right.
18:01Go.
18:03I'll go.
18:06We'll need the map.
18:07Right.
18:09The witch.
18:10The witch.
18:18Despite his disbelief in the power of witchcraft,
18:21he sets off on his errand.
18:33Hello?
18:41Hello?
18:47Hello?
18:49Anyone there?
18:57Hello?
19:03It's a spooky place.
19:06It's a spooky place.
19:08He can't understand why he's never come across it before,
19:12never seen it when out hunting.
19:36Lavinia can't tell the others where he's gone,
19:40can't tell them he's with the witch of Withy Wood.
19:52But as the hours pass and Robin doesn't return,
19:56she begins to worry.
19:59Poor Lavinia waits,
20:01and bitterly regrets her folly and wickedness
20:05in consorting with witches.
20:10The witch.
20:12The witch.
20:14The witch.
20:16The witch.
20:18The witch.
20:20The witch.
20:22The witch.
20:24The witch.
20:26The witch.
20:28And is the house without any door?
20:33Come.
20:42Stay.
20:51What is this?
20:53Where is her husband?
20:56He tormented me.
20:58Now make him suffer.
21:00What?
21:02That's your Robin.
21:06It's an owl.
21:08That is your husband.
21:10That's Robin.
21:12You can change him back any time you like.
21:15Once Robin has been taught how to behave,
21:19the witch will restore his human shape.
21:25Come.
21:43She suddenly takes a fancy to taunt her Robin
21:47to wear the new nightgown.
21:49This is newly made, Robin.
21:51Specially for you.
21:56Do you like it?
22:00No.
22:02I see.
22:10Then do you like this, Robin?
22:15Her owl is all stare.
22:19Are you Robin?
22:28Good, so you found the secret place.
22:30No.
22:31She wants to tantalize her owl husband.
22:38But the situation mustn't get out of hand.
22:41...find me some lovers.
22:43Lovers?
22:44Yes.
22:45Lovers who are too old, really,
22:48or too young to be real lovers.
22:52It would be heartbreaking if she were to reverse the spell
22:56and find they weren't on speaking terms.
22:59I'll do that now.
23:01Lovers too old.
23:04Lovers too young.
23:07Lovers not at all.
23:09Lovers too young.
23:12Lovers not at all.
23:18On the night of her first lover's visit,
23:21Robin is restless.
23:25Enter.
23:29Good evening, my lady.
23:33I did hear as though you wanted to have a word with me.
23:37Does he have to be quite as old as this?
23:41What is the woman thinking of?
23:43Trust her to bungle her instructions.
23:46Are you the gardener?
23:48Oh, yes, my lady, I be the gardener.
23:51Is the garden pretty?
23:53Oh, it is lovely, my lady, if I may say so.
23:56Good.
23:57As lovely as you.
23:59Yes.
24:01Um, sit on the bed.
24:04Oh, yes, my lady.
24:05Yes.
24:07Um, just there on the bed.
24:09Yes, my lady.
24:10Tell me more of the garden.
24:12Oh, the garden's lovely, my lady.
24:14Yes.
24:15Oh, yes, it'll be lovely, my lady.
24:17Coming on well?
24:18Oh, it's coming on a perfect, my lady.
24:21Fine.
24:22Um, should you leave it for so long?
24:25Oh, it is all right without all fret, my lady.
24:28Is it?
24:29Oh, ah.
24:30Good.
24:31Um, you're sure?
24:32Oh, I be sure, my lady.
24:34Um, June!
24:36Um, June!
24:39Oh, don't you worry, my lady.
24:40June!
24:41No, I.
24:42Oh, no, don't you worry, my lady.
24:43June!
24:44June!
24:45Ah!
24:46It's lovely, my lady.
24:47Oh, yes, it's lovely.
24:49It's lovely, my lady.
24:51Ah!
24:52Robin could only stand and stare.
24:55Oh, it's lovely.
24:56Oh, it's lovely.
24:57Ah!
24:58Ah!
24:59Ah!
25:00The maid fares no better with her next brainwave, a mere youth from the kitchens, who shows
25:18more interest in the owl than he does in Lavinia.
25:32Robin suffers the petting as long as he can, and then decides flight is better than fancy.
25:38He'll come back, he'll never see it.
25:41So there you are Robin, with no point in being petulant, just thought it was my turn, you
25:59don't like it.
26:00I only did it because I loved you, tired, tired of the game.
26:10I'm tired of this game too, come then, come.
26:14She fancies he doesn't like her out of his sight, maybe it's wishful thinking, but he
26:20does seem to be taking more notice of her than he did.
26:25It's time to change.
26:28Lavinia wants her husband back, perhaps he will have learnt his lesson, perhaps now he
26:35will have the wit to woo her.
26:39Robin can't wait, he's eager for change.
26:47The magic is powerful, within seconds of the owl flying into the cottage, her Robin, reinstated,
26:53appears.
26:55He is tired and nervous, and obviously can't wait to be away from his place.
27:09Oh God, come on let's go.
27:12This looks like a happy ending for Lavinia and her Robin, but sadly it isn't.
27:36Robin is drawn again to the witch's cottage.
27:40She has cast a spell alright, but not the magic Lavinia thinks it to be.
27:46Rosie! Rosie!
27:53Rosie!
27:56Ha ha ha!
28:05Robin cannot stay away from the woods, and as the months pass, Lavinia is presented in
28:12turn with a polecat, a fox, a badger, even a toad.
28:19Rosie believes each to be her husband, but truly her beloved Robin is with his beloved
28:27witch.
28:30Shhh!
28:49Shhh!
29:19Shhh!