Colonel George Herbert Merryweather...
ashes to ashes...
dust to dust.
Aah, Miss Merryweather.
This being the last will and testament of
Colonel George Herbert Merryweather of London.
He... he... lost it all?
Including the house?
No!
No, Papa can't have been in London.
Why, he wrote to me and said that he was coming home,
he wouldn't arrive and not...
Aah, well...
Your father did leave you this book...
as your inheritance.
"The Ancient Chronicles of Moonacre Valley"
I know it's hard...
but you know I... I'm sure that your father did...
did love you.
He just... um,
and... and you know,
everybody does have to go out on their own at some point in their...
lives.
Miss Heliotrop, I'm fine!
Really!
Yes...
"Once upon a perfect time...
many hundreds of years ago...
when the old magic called Moonacre Valley...
there was a young woman whose skin glint as pale as the star...
and whose heart was as pure as a meteorite's...
such was her bravery and goodness...
she was beloved by nature...
as if she was their daughter.
One fateful night...
the moon blessed her with an extraordinary gift...
with a tinge of the magic of the valley...
forever!
The moon power!
From that day forward...
she was known...
as the Moon Princess!
Two ancient families lived in harmony at the edge of the valley...
sharing nature's bounty.
Daughter to the De Noir clan...
the Moon Princess was deeply in love
and was to be married to Sir Wolf Merryweather.
Her father,
Sir William De Noir,
blessed the union by presenting the couple with a rare black lion.
For my daughter's bridegroom!
Thank you, father!
In turn, Sir Wolf gave his bride a unicorn.
Littered from the wild white horses of the sea.
Only an animal of such beauty and purity could be the companion of the Moon Princess.
Her heart overflowed with happiness!
The Moon Princess revealed the magical powers to both families.
This was found deep in the heart of the ocean.
This pearl was given to us
by mother nature herself!
Promising untold riches to us all.
Look!
They have a unique power!
They can reveal the truth
in man's heart!
Legend told of their unique powers,
so strong the pearls will grant every wish.
Both good and evil!
Good bye...
You be Miss Maria Merryweather?
My man!
Quick!
Madame...
Get on with you!
Good bye...
yes, yes, yes...
Miss Heliotrop?
Maria...
When your dear mother died,
I promised her faithfully that I'll take care of you.
So I'm not going to abandon you now!
If you're going to live with your uncle, or in the middle of the country-side,
then I shall be there with you.
Where are my charcoal tablets?
These are doing nothing for my indigestion.
How can I possibly go live in the country?
It's like a camp-site!
Maria, there's only one thing that can save us now.
Clever girl,
French,
needle point.
What's happening?
Have we arrived?
Is he deaf or something?
The man is obviously a half wit.
Who are they?
What do they want?
Don't worry my dear,
Sir Benjamin will protect us, I'm sure!
Miss...
Welcome to Moonacre!
Unfortunate circumstances.
There we are, nothing to be done.
I'm pleased to meet you, Uncle.
Miss Heliotrop.
Oh, Sir Benjamin.
Oh, what a journey we had!
Not one hour from this very door we were accosted by
a bunch of ruffians.
Madame, please! - It...
Tell me your fascinating story some other time if I may.
His name is Wolf.
There are those who find him alarming.
He can kill in an instant.
But you're a Merryweather.
He very probably won't harm you.
Miss Heliotrop, your room is over there to the right.
Oh, thank you, Sir Benjamin.
Well, come along Maria.
I'm sure that your room... will be next to mine.
No, Maria's room is up in the tower.
But, I'm kind...
You have to inspect the room first
before you turn your nose up at whatever it is.
Good night, Uncle!
Charmed, I'm sure.
What on earth is this?
Oh, no!
No, I think not.
Young lady.
We're taking breakfast in here.
Where did you get this from?
Oh um, papa left it to me.
Well, he had no right...
This belong here.
But, that's mine!
Miss Heliotrop!
Help!
Help, tell him he can't take my father's book from me!
Maria!
Good question! Why don't you just speak...
That he can't just go and...
Maria!
Don't worry.
I'm sure that he's just keeping it safe somewhere for you.
Sit down. Have your porridge.
Miss.
There be your breakfast, Miss.
Maria, you really must try this delicious omelet.
Hum, um, a dish best enjoyed in silence, I'm told.
Uncle, when can you return my father's book to me?
Now,
you certainly have a very, very good cook, Sir Benjamin.
Have you... have you had her long?
Madame, no woman has stepped in this house for years!
And believe me, the silence has been blissful.
Now, I must say, this country food is doing wonders for my trapped wind!
Madame, please! Can't a man enjoy a meal in his own home in silence?
Well, do tell us Uncle...
Why did you invite such irritating and noisy females
into your nice quiet house?
I'd love to know.
My useless brother died in debt and it fell on me to take you in.
The man was a... cowardly good for nothing.
Sir Benjamin!
How dare you say that?!
My father was a Colonel!
Yes.
And he died in debt owing money to half the regiment.
He fought for his country!
And got himself killed in a backstreet gambling den.
Borrowed money once too many times from the wrong sort of money lenders.
He wouldn't take money from me, would he?
Oh no.
Damn, all his pride.
You're a Merryweather, Maria...
And this is where you belong. Here, at Moonacre.
There we are.
Nothing else to be done.
Library is private and my study prohibited.
And in here...
The East wing, closed...
the West wing, out of bounds.
There we are.
- And here... - Uncle, about that attack yesterday.
Can't something be done?
Yes... keep your little nose out.
I beg your pardon?
Just keep out of the forest.
But why? Who are they?
There's a band of ruffians in the woods. The De Noir clan.
You mean like the "De Noir" from the story book?
No, no, no... these are real enough.
Poachers, bandits, plunderers, robbers.
Ladies.
This should suit your needs.
And this will be your classroom.
Digweed... Bring me my whip.
You weren't expecting me to...
She can ride, can she?
Oh, Sir Benjamin, it's a matter of fact
that a lady should never be allowed to sit on a horse!
They're unstable and they're vicious creatures.
I think, Sir Benjamin, it might be an appropriate moment for me to retire.
Take care!
Come, Maria.
Every Merryweather rides.
It's in the blood.
This is Peririco... she's a little feisty but she's a loyal stead.
Just hold out your hand.
I give you my word,
it'll stay attached to you, Miss.
You see, Miss?
She knows.
- You're getting on well with Peririco... - Yes, Uncle.
We should be heading back.
It's getting late.
Uncle, I'm really enjoying this. Could I stay out a little longer?
As long as you promise to stay within the Moonacre boundary.
Remember...
I can only vouch for your safety if you stay out of the forest.
I will be home before long,
and Peririco will take good care of me.
Very well.
Goodbye Uncle!
What's so special about the forest anyway?
You stay here.
Oh, little baby.
Who did this to you?
One catch two captives.
What do you want?
Let's go. Catch an animal that comes to get you coming to help!
I know who you are!
You're bandits and plunderers!
You!
You're coming with us now!
My father's just dying to make your acquaintance.
It's the demon dog!
Thank you, you obedient doggy!
Come on, little one...
Let me take you home.
Robin, it's your father!
What did I do to deserve such a prize filth for a son?
I hope Peririco gave you an educational tour of the estate.
I have a wounded hare.
That, young lady, is a rare Moonacre rabbit.
By far the most beautiful, brave and serene creature.
And as you've brought her in from the wild,
she's now your responsibility.
And with your knowledge of animals,
I very much doubt it will live to see the morning.
Keep out of the forest child!
Maria?
Goodness gracious!
Look at your...
dress!
Maria, there's something alive on your body!
Miss Heliotrop, please calm down!
This is a Moonacre rabbit...
A beautiful, brave and serene creature.
I intend to look after it.
And I'm going to call her Serena.
Uncle?
I really think you and I have some matters to discuss.
There are some very strange things going on in this house.
First off, who always keeps my dress and leaves the biscuits in my room?
The stars on my ceiling move.
There's a mysterious white horse outside.
This place is falling apart, things appear to move,
and the piano plays music on its own!
I mean, I have never even seen the kitchen.
So where on earth does all this food come from?
Do you ever stop asking questions?
Uncle, I...
Sit down, my dear.
Wolf?
Where are we going?
Wolf?
Wolf?!
Marmaduke Scarlet. Chef of all chefs,
at your service, Little Princess.
How do you do that?
Get me some sherbet, will you?
Chop, chop...
I'm not actually really sure where your sherbet is...
Never you mind... I'll get it...
Are you the one who leaves the milk and biscuits for me?
These past few days, it all comes back to me.
Scarlet please, will you stop yourself for just one moment?
Surely somebody in this household must be able to answer my questions.
Dear Princess, a little bit of magic...
has come back to the valley.
You obviously haven't finished reading the book.
The book?
But my uncle took it away from me.
In the library,
you'll find a slim volume, Secret Doors and Private Lockers...
Perhaps a piece of...
stargazer pie for your study.
The Moon Princess truly believed in the goodness of all.
But the men soon fell to the greed that was in their heart.
Each desperate to claim the power of the pearls for himself.
We are the chosen ones!
These pearls stay with the De Noir clan forever!
Father?
Come! Be with me.
Let Moonacre be your home and be your family.
Speak true!
With the power of these pearls, I can claim the valley for myself.
No.
Together, I mean together we could rule the valley.
These pearls belongs to no man,
they belong to nature!
Give it to me!
No! Give them to me!
No no no!
I beg of you... please!
You cannot let your heart be ruled by greed!
Betrayed by those she loved the most,
the Moon Princess unleashed the power bestowed upon her,
and cast a terrifying curse over them all.
Hear me!
You've gone against the nature,
and you shall suffer for it!
Nature will wreak her revenge and put a curse upon this valley.
One day,
a pure heart will walk among you.
If she can't lift the curse,
when the 5000th moon rises from the sea,
this valley shall be plunged into eternal darkness!
The moon pearls vanished that day,
and where to find them remained a secret.
Marmaduke! The house... the valley... it's all...
Cursed!
Oh yes!
Take a look around you.
Everything's falling apart.
Ever since that terrible day,
the two families have been totally consumed
with pride...
and blind hatred.
And the only person who can break this curse
is a true Moon Princess!
The Moon Princess?
But...
she lived hundreds of years ago.
The legend tells... of a little white horse,
a mystical companion to protect her.
A magical creature...
invisible so they say... to anyone...
except a true Moon Princess.
You mean...
I'm suppose to be this...
I'm supposed to undo this curse?
Everyone knows the legend.
Peace will never be restored...
until the pearls are return to the sea and the families reunited!
This is all madness!
Time is slipping away.
the 5,000th moon...
to set it right.
Stop! Stop... I don't want to hear another word!
You are all insane!
Three hundred and eighty-four years...
times thirteen for the moon's per annum.
Plus...
seven moons for this year.
That's...
That makes...
four thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine.
Oh Serena, the very next moon's arrival will be the 5,000th moon.
Everyone knows the legend...
These pearls belongs to no man...
They belong to nature!
5,000 moons to set it right!
You're a Merryweather...
You're the chosen one!
Keep out of the forest child!
I've to get out of this remote place, Serena!
I don't want anything more to do with this!
Miss Heliotrope will take good care of you.
Maria...
Who are you?
You look... just like the lady in the painting.
Come along.
Oh, do come in!
You naughty hedgehog!
In my favorite chair again!
You cheeky monkey!
Be nice and still,
don't make any sudden movement.
Then she won't be so scared!
I will try!
Oh! I was talking to the snake.
I rescued as many injured creatures as I can.
And did you do the embroidery
and brought all those strange dresses in my room?
Yes.
My name is Loveday.
Our time is nearly spent right here... the moon shall not be our forever.
You saw something, didn't you?
Didn't you? Tell me what you saw.
I have to leave!
No no no no...
Stay with me!
I've frightened you, haven't I?
You see, I'm not used to visitors.
And I do so much just want to be your friend.
It's no use you know... your father...
he tried to run away too.
But there is nowhere to hide.
He sent you here because he loved you.
Because Moonacre is where you belong.
You and I are the same.
Except...
Except?
Where I failed, you might succeed.
What about my uncle? Sir Benjamin... can't he help?
Never, ever mention that man to me again, do you understand?
Your past is behind you.
Your future awaits you if you want it.
You decide.
I want to help.
I just don't know what I'm supposed to do to begin.
Find the pearls!
Nobody knows where they are.
Each family blames the other for taking them.
They are both to blame.
The De Noir took the casket then we must have the key.
The key!
Now for the casket.
You have to take me there.
- Where? - To De Noir.
You've to take me to where they live.
There it is!
Loveday... are you alright?
I'm sorry! I can never go back there!
Loveday!
Father, I could pad and place a scythe and nail it under their roof.
Don't go near Moonacre... that house is damned!
No... the word is...
she is about to meet her downfall.
How kind of you to join us, Moon Princess.
Oh... Oh, and what is this?
She has brought us the lost key, gentlemen!
Wasn't it terrible of the De Noir to have the moon pearls
hidden up here all the time... haven't we?
Well, it's true isn't it?
Your ancestors stole them!
My ancestors?!
Well, perhaps Princess...
I should introduce you...
Maria Merryweather... the last Moon Princess.
Sir William.
The very first De Noir.
The pearls casket!
And you so very kindly brought us the key.
You've hidden them!
They were never there, girl!
Your filthy Merryweather family took them!
Before he... picked up the box!
They stole the pearls.
But soon...
the final moon will rise...
and the thieving Merryweathers will be punished!
I'm glad that we have you here.
There's nothing anyone can do to stop it!
At last the entire valley will be ours!
And the De Noir will finally feast upon revenge!
Leave me alone, you ogre!
You know, for someone in your predicament,
I have to admire your spirit!
Witch!
Hey! Lock her in!
Welcome to your new house!
Hope you make friends with the roaches!
Guard, watch her... she's slippery.
Where is that girl?
Unbelievable!
Absolutely irresponsible!
Oh, this dress!
Come back here, you witch!
The girl has escaped!