Cranford | Simon Woods, Judi Dench

Cranford | Simon Woods, Judi Dench | Better than Jane Austen?

DVDs:

Cranford

	Cranford Simon Woods, Judi Dench BBC Warner, 2008 average customer review:based on 101 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Cranfield

Cranfield is a wonderfully delightful movie with humor and drama and several love stories developing throughout the 5 hours. It was very enjoyable. I can't wait to watch it again as I know there are several things I will discover that I missed the first time through.

Better than Jane Austen?

This is an exceptional series, one that any Jane Austen fan should see. We liked it so much, it was too hard to let it end, so we bought the original book.

English lives and loves

First, I'll admit that I'm a sucker for all things English. I watched this five-hour production on PBS stretched out over three weeks, and I knew this was a story I would want to see again so purchased the DVD. The financial disasters, personal disasters, and changing times give a picture of village life in 19th century England. Villagers are busy with gossip, mistrust the new "modern" doctor's methods, and know their village willl not be the same if the railroad comes. The costumes are great, and Dame Judi Dench never disappoints.

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I can't say enough good things about this movie!

If they keep making movies like this, I will keep buying them.

If you like period English dramas, you won't be disappointed with Cranford. There's a little more comedy thrown in there, than other movies like this - I laughed out loud a few times. The movie is long, but the plot keeps you engaged throughout. In the special features section of the DVD, the makers of the film indicated they had enough material to make another Cranford film. I really hope they do. This movie left me hungry for more!

a village of Amazons

A wonderfully engaging translation of several of Mrs. Gaskell's novellas to the screen. While the knitting together of the stories isn't as perfect as the the knitting of the residents of Cranford, it does very well.

The central characters of the story, set in mid-nineteenth century England, are two spinster daughters of a clergyman, Dorothea and Mathilda Jenkyns (Miss Jenkyns and Miss Matty to you!) Even though Miss Jenkyns is of a forceful nature (and beautifully portrayed by Eileen Atkins), it is dear shy Miss Matty (Dame Judi Dench) who dominates events because of the respect everyone feels for her sweet nature. They and their neighbors must contend with the changes associated with the disconcerting transformation of rural Britain by the Industrial Revolution, as well as with the inherent challenges of life. The ladies face poverty, death, servant problems, love, wandering cows, evil stepmothers, and questions of attire with aplomb, assisted by a few brave men: the frank and winning Captain Brown; Mr. Morgan, the doctor, and Mr. Harrison, the doctor's new young partner, who has recently set the hearts of all the village maidens aflutter. At a distance reigns the aging but elegant Lady Ludlow and her steward Mr. Carter, who must decide how to deal with a local poacher and his bright and capable young son, and how to pay the mortgage on the estate.

This series is wonderfully acted and beautifully produced--really a living window on a vanished life. Each character grows and develops, sometimes in unexpected ways--sometimes funny and sometimes poignant. The most winning thing was the way in which, as much as they contended and struggled with each other at times, the ladies always faced real emergencies with utter kindness.

Very, very enjoyable.

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