Restoration (1995)

Synopsis: This lavishly-mounted costume drama focuses on one of England's most fascinating periods: the restoration of the monarchy after 11 years of Puritan rule, which led to an explosion of culture and... This lavishly-mounted costume drama focuses on one of England's most fascinating periods: the restoration of the monarchy after 11 years of Puritan rule, which led to an explosion of culture and learning. A young, womanizing doctor named Robert Merivel earns the admiration of Charles II after curing the King's sick dog. For his achievement, the King gives Merivel an estate. However, the doctor must also marry Celia Clemence, the monarch's mistress. Although Celia has been causing the King some headaches, he still wants to keep her close by. A sham marriage, he reasons, will make her less troublesome. Charles picks Merivel to be the groom because of the playboy doctor's seeming inability to fall in love with any one woman. However, Robert does indeed fall in love with Celia, which the King is none too pleased to discover. Stripped of his land, Merivel joins his friend, John, a doctor who's treating patients at a remote Quaker asylum. There, he helps a young Irish woman and the two become lovers. But he returns to the city to find himself caught up in two of the period's most famous events -- the outbreak of the bubonic plague and the Great Fire of London. [More]

Starring: Robert Downey, Sam Neill, David Thewlis, Polly Walker

Starring: Robert Downey, Sam Neill, David Thewlis, Polly Walker, Meg Ryan, Ian McKellen, Hugh Grant

Director: Michael Hoffman

Director: Michael Hoffman

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