Vintage TV Miniseries Review: Jamaica Inn (1983)
Jamaica Inn is a treasure trove of Gothic elements. There’s a plethora of murders, madness, eerie housekeepers, and even an albino character. The moors are windswept, smugglers and wreckers are on the loose, mysteries are ever-present, and our brave, orphaned heroine is caught in the middle of it all. The melodrama is so heavy, it’s practically palpable. It’s undoubtedly captivating!
This six-part miniseries, or three-part depending on your perspective, stars Jane Seymour, Trevor Eve, and Patrick McGoohan, spanning around three hours. It’s an adaptation of Daphne du Maurier’s classic novel by ITV. Sadly, this adaptation has faded into obscurity over the years, which is a real shame. ITV’s Jamaica Inn is a Gothic masterpiece!
Murder, Madness, Mysteries, Moors – Oh My!
Mary Yellan (Jane Seymour) finds her peaceful life disrupted when her beloved sailor father is murdered by wreckers. Wreckers are essentially land pirates who lure ships to dangerous rocks and then plunder them. Mary’s mother (played by the always wonderful Vivian Pickles) soon goes insane. Within the first few minutes of the opening episode, we have pirates, murder, and madness. These are perfect additions to our Gothic collection.
After her mother dies, Mary is left alone and heads to live with her only remaining relative, her Aunt Patience (Billie Whitelaw), at Jamaica Inn. Mary hasn’t seen Patience in years. In the interim, Aunt Patience has married and now resides at the infamous Jamaica Inn.
It’s clear from the start that Jamaica Inn has a bad reputation. Even the coachman is reluctant to stop there. Situated in the middle of a desolate moor in Cornwall, Mary’s Uncle Joss (Patrick McGoohan) is a hulking, violent drunk. Aunt Patience, once vibrant, now lives in fear of her husband. The inn is frequented by criminals, and suspicious activities occur under the cover of night. Something sinister is definitely happening.
This central mystery of the inn drives the story. What exactly is going on at Jamaica Inn? Mary must uncover the truth, with a bit of help. She befriends a local clergyman, who happens to be an albino. She’s also intrigued by Uncle Joss’s brother, Jem (Trevor Eve), an admitted horse thief with a charming, possibly deceitful, smile. How involved he is in the inn’s dark dealings is another mystery for Mary to solve. Is he genuine? Does he speak the truth? That’s for Mary to find out.
And that’s the gist of it. Mary investigates and uncovers the truth. No spoilers here!
Gothic Done Just Right
Jamaica Inn could easily veer into cheesy territory with all its Gothic melodrama. And yes, it’s over the top, but that’s part of the genre’s charm. It does have its cheesy moments, but the acting and the atmospheric tension are so well-executed that it pulls you in. The settings are mesmerizing – the moors, the coastlines, the rocky outcrops. There is a fair amount of shocking brutality with a touch of mild, symbolic gore. It’s just enough to be effective without being excessive.
The three main leads carry the series with great performances. Patrick McGoohan, known for playing sophisticated characters, transforms into the volatile Uncle Joss. His portrayal is true to the book, capturing Joss’s brutality and vulnerability. McGoohan delivers a nuanced performance, avoiding stereotypical melodrama.
Jane Seymour is stunning as always. Her fresh-faced beauty is on full display, with her long hair flowing in the moor’s wind. She’s a likable heroine—strong-willed, straight-talking, compassionate, and loyal. Seymour’s expressiveness and photogenic qualities are highlighted throughout. While the makeup is occasionally overdone, it was the 80s after all. Jane Seymour makes a fantastic Mary Yellan.
Crackling Chemistry
Gothic stories often include themes of sex and sensuality, and Jamaica Inn is no different. Jane Seymour effectively portrays Mary’s sexual awakening, driven by her attraction to Jem Merlyn, played by Trevor Eve. The chemistry between Seymour and Eve is electric. You’ll find yourself wanting to rewatch their scenes together, enjoying the core pleasure of their interactions.
Trevor Eve’s Jem is a charming rogue with a heart of gold and a soft spot for Mary. Unlike the more melancholic Jem from the 2014 adaptation, Eve’s portrayal has a swashbuckling, devil-may-care attitude reminiscent of Robin Hood or Han Solo. His light-hearted flirtation conceals his inherent goodness and emotional depth. Every scene he shares with Mary is engaging and smile-inducing.
I’ve become a huge fan of ITV’s 1983 adaptation of Jamaica Inn. It’s an underrated gem that deserves more recognition. I’ll definitely be watching it again and again. It’s a visual delight, full of Gothic intrigue and compelling performances. Yes, it takes some liberties with the source material, and the picture quality is dated, but it’s definitely worth watching and savoring.
Content Note: Probably PG-13 for thematic material, violence, and minor swearing, mostly blasphemous. There’s a brief shot of a wet, see-through garment, showing a woman’s breasts.
Where to Watch: YouTube, DVD.
