Looking for a film with action, adventure; and romance?  Ray Bengston’s period piece To Have and to Hold is sure to satisfy.

Historically Accurate

To Have and to Hold follows the closely historically-accurate adventures of the settlement of Jamestown, Virginia in 1607.  Aiden Turner (Captain Miles Cambridge) recently spoke with me about his project.

“When I initially read the script,” he said, “I really enjoyed the dialogue.  It seemed like an enjoyable project.  It was a good read and had some great people attached to it.”

Sword Fighting and Defending a Lady’s Honor

In preparation for the project, Turner sword trained for four months in Virginia.  He said, “It felt great to learn a new skill and have that under my belt.  We shot on the farmlands of Williamsburg, Virginia, and shot exteriors (like pirate invasions) in the Caymans.”

Throughout the project, Turner battled the Indians and the pirates with guns, canons, and swords.  He also fought for his lady’s honor when he saved her from a scoundrel at their first meeting.  Kelly Greyson (Return to the Hiding Place) played Turner’s love interest, Lady Jocelyn.  He said “My character didn’t know she was of royal birth when he saved her.  They eventually fell in love and ended up getting married.”

Well-know Actors Attached

To Have and to Hold also starred Christopher Judge (Stargate SG-1, Stargate Atlantis) and Mark Dacascos (Wo Fat, Hawaii Five-0) as Pocahontas’ brother, Nantauquas.  Since I had interviewed Dacascos some time back here at mytakeontv, I asked Turner about acting with him.  He said, “He was very professional, very talented, very kind, and always upbeat.  He’s very enthusiastic and just a lovely guy to work with.  I really enjoyed learning from him.  He’s got great energy.  He’s an inspiration to me. He does martial arts and is great with the swords, the battle scenes and all the stunts.  We had a tremendous amount of stunts.  He’s also very, very fit.  We actually took an acting technique class together awhile back, where we got criticized on our audition form and brushed up on our skills, and we kept in touch.  He’s a lovely guy.”

A Big Budget Project

To Have and to Hold, based on a book by the same title, has the distinction of having one of the biggest indie budgets ever – at $35 million.  The project, set for a February 14, 2014 release, hopes to be a strong showing for an actor who may have had to prove himself with casting directors since his days on the soap All My Children (Aiden Devane, 2003-2009).

Also look for Turner to do a guest spot in Episode 11 of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, which airs on Tuesday nights on ABC.

Cheryl has been a freelance TV/film writer for more than 10 years. Simultaneously, she has worked in PR for Bon Jovi Productions in NYC, PolyGram Records (also in NYC), and Rogers & Cowan Public Relations. Cheryl has published articles at suite101.com, “Sci-Fi Entertainment” magazine, and “Soap Opera Weekly.” She was also a credited researcher for English author Denis Meikle’s JOHNNY DEPP: A KIND OF ILLUSION. Cheryl enjoys writing for the entertainment industry and meeting new people. She is also an animal lover.