The film stars Jeremy Northam as Warlock and Tushka Bergen as Lily Buxton, his love interest.
It was directed by Malcolm Clarke with a screenplay adapted from the book by Mark A. Stuart titled, Double Jeopardy.
One evening, while reviewing a cabaret in a local nightclub, Heseltine is drawn to an American singer by the name of Lily Buxton (Tushka Bergen).
Thinking he is Warlock, Lily explains that she heard his music at a concert a few weeks prior and thought it was wonderful.
[3][7] The film character Gerald Duffy, however, is based on real life friend Cecil Gray,[6] who in 1934 wrote a biography about Warlock.
[9] The film conveys a continuing ascension of Warlock's creativity but in reality Heseltine felt that his talents were on a constant decline.
"[1] Reviewer Diane Selkirk wrote: "This is the sort of film during which the viewers can't help but wonder if the truth might have made for a better movie than fiction.
"[1] At a premiere showing, Brian Collins recalls, "It elicited much laughter ... most of it arose from the ludicrous misrepresentation of the Warlock story put across by the plot.
"[2] The production quality has been called “excellent";[6] and Variety said it had a "lushly low-key studio look that serves its purpose.
[10] Despite the fact the film is about Peter Warlock, only two works by the composer are featured: Rest, Sweet Nymphs and Sleep.
Author Charles P. Mitchell writes, "This is unfortunate because Warlock certainly composed a number of outstanding works.
"[6] Selkirk writes: "The film's music ... is almost overbearingly prominent ... screen time tips a little too far in favor of the extended nightclub scenes.
"[1] Mitchell agrees: "Bergin is a complete delight as Lily Buxton, although the film spends a bit too much time on her nightclub songs."