Brief

Virtuous is an old woman transformed into a young magical beauty who catches the heart of a prince and the ire of his father. The king puts her through a series of challenges to remove this peasant and break the bond of love and respect that's grown between them. After defeating several challenges Virtuous disappears and a despondent Victor gives up hope but all may not be lost.

What We Liked

“The Wrath of Love” gives a new spin on an old fairy tale narrative by having a woman who actively chooses to fight for her right to marry the prince considered above her station.
It showcases a love story centered on a more functional relationship that includes doubts and pressures that a real life audience can relate to.

Film: “The Wrath of Love” takes a classic fairy tale story and updates it for the modern era with a strong heroine who must fight for her true love against demons in the world and within herself. In this tale love is not simply given or taken but forged with honest agreement, but in this magical world even happiness must come at a price.

TV: “The Wrath of Love” presents a series of episodic trials that separates two people who belong together from their wish to share their lives. The challenges they face and their courage in facing them have the potential to change not only their lives but the lives of their country by bringing magic back into the world.

Key points:
Strong female protagonist.
Clear battle between good and evil.
Balance of magic and realism.
Characters worth rooting for.
Family friendly.

Synopsis

In 1700s New Zealand an old woman begs for food in an impoverished South Auckland with nothing to give her. Eventually a beautiful young woman hands her a grapefruit. The young woman is called Immoral and the old woman's name is Virtuous. When Virtuous eats the fruit she is transformed into a young beauty, fish fill the see and barren lands sprout fruit.

Upon hearing of the return of magic after hundreds of years the king of prosperous Milford Sound sends his son, Prince Victor, to meet the mysterious beauty. The arrogant prince is quickly humbled and in love with the girl. When he leaves she loves him too, but dares not reveal who she truly is. After he leaves Virtuous cries alone in her room and South Auckland is wrecked by rains and floods.

In Milford Sound the king is angered to hear his son's professions of love to this sorceress of ignoble birth and when he forbids his son's wish to marry the prince defiantly leaves his father and many noble suitors to ride back to South Auckland.

Virtuous is eventually roused from her sorrows by a wise child, Jeanette, who convinces her to share her feelings with Victor just in time for his arrival. They embrace and confess their love for each other. Virtuous agrees to marry him on the condition she stay who she is and can visit South Auckland. He sneaks her back to the palace and when the king is told his rage causes him to have a fit that leaves him in a coma. When he rises the king and Virtuous have harsh words for each other, Virtuous cares little for their bigoted society, but she feels compelled to prove herself by accepting to face a series of challenges for the right to marry the prince.

The first task is to clean the moat by herself, which she does in an afternoon. She accomplishes the second, retrieving a magic crystal called the Great Hematite from an enchanted forest, after killing a troll with Victor's sword. After she cooks a feast for the whole palace for the third challenge the king privately admires her capabilities but will not relent because of her being born a peasant. Even the vizier, Cassadra, urges her to flee before attempting the next challenge but Virtuous successfully defeats the scaled monster that guards a magic golden fern.

The king decides to throw a ball in Virtuous honor. They suspect a ruse, but Virtuous is overjoyed to meet Jeannette and other Aucklanders, while Cassandra begins to wonder is Victor might be under a spell after all. She also meets a chilling visitor, princess Sarah. For the fifth and final challenge Virtuous faces a great demonic snake that swallows her whole.

A month later Victor is as despairing and desolate as the rain devastates Milford Sound. He learns his father plans for him to wed Sarah and he agrees because he no longer cares. Meanwhile a flash of light occurs in the belly of a great beast. To be continued.

About The Author

Tyrone Evans Clark is an actor, writer, director and producer whose work includes TV and video games.