Venus Peter

Produced for Scottish television, Venus Peter was financed by the Orkney Islands Council. The title character is transformed into a "sea child" when he is baptized with salt water. Though his family tries hard to accustom him to life on land, Peter (Gordon R. Strachan) yearns to go to sea -- or, at the very least, to escape his cloistered community. He finds a kindred spirit in Princess Paloma (Juliet Cadzow), the village "looney," who, alas, is eventually carted away to an institution. Briefly fascinated by poetry and music, thanks to his lovely teacher Miss Balsibie (Sinead Cusack), Peter is disillusioned when he finds his teacher in the arms of her lover (and out of her clothing). The final blow to Peter's idealism comes when his grandfather's ship is repossessed. Despite the bleakness of his surroundings and his seemingly dead-end existence, however, Peter never completely lets go of his dreams, and the film ends on a positive note.

Cast

George Anton Billy Ray McAnally Grandpa Sinéad Cusack Miss Balsilbie

Gordon R Strachan Peter

Louise Breslin Leebie

David Hayman Kinnear Juliet Cadzow Princess Paloma Caroline Paterson Mother Peter Caffrey Father

Emma Dingwall Jenny

Ken Drury Gowens Sheila Keith Epp

Metadata from the source database.