Cranford
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Movie Reviews of Cranford
Movie Review: Come to Cranford....
Summary: 5 Stars
2008's "Cranford" is an outstanding Masterpiece Theater presentation, featuring a superb cast of actors set in a small village in the Midlands of 1840 England. At the center of the story is a group of single females led by the aging spinster sisters Miss Deborah and Miss Mattie, their younger niece Mary Smith, and Miss Pole, who collectively contribute both wisdom and humor to the story.
Cranford manages to contain considerable human interest despite its small size, or perhaps because of it. Rumors run wild, normally well ahead of the well-intentions efforts of villagers to get things done. Several themes thread through the series. One theme is the influence over village affairs exercised by the spinsters. A second is the assimilation of the young Doctor Harrison, who causes quite a stir by his unorthodox medical methods and by his good looks. A third is the pending disruption to the insular ways of Cranford by the advent of a railroad across the lands of the wealthy Lady Ludlow.
A number of charming subplots enliven each episode, which pull no punches when it comes to matters of love and death. Small romances thrive or fail. A estate steward teaches a gypsy boy how to read. The village enjoys an annual party on the estate of Lady Ludlow. A bank failure threatens a woman with sudden destitution. A couple in love are kept apart by her family obligations. Valentine's Day becomes a source of confusion as mysterious cards arrive at varous homes in the village. Even prominent characters are not immune from disappointment, although there is hope from episode to episode that fate will be kind to most. Period costumes, customs and furnishings are spot-on. The direction keeps the story moving from family to family as the various themes are advanced. The final episode is absolutely thrilling, as a variety of plot threads are finally tied up and surprising heroes save the day.
"Cranford" is very highly recommended as excellent entertainment to fans of Elizabeth Gaskell's novels and of Masterpiece Theater.
Movie Review: Cranford is quaint and engaging
Summary: 5 Stars
Judi Dench does a fantastic job of headlining the BBC miniseries Cranford. Cranford is a small, rural, English town, and the miniseries follows the lives and times of people who live there. The main storyline centers on a group of elderly unmarried women, including Dench. There is also the Lady who lives in the manor house and who is the local member of the house of Lords.
Life in rural 1800s England is a happy and tragic thing. Though the town has a doctor, there was little that doctors could do at the time to deal with disease or serious injury, and death was a common part of life. At the same time, people found joy in each other's company and the small and simple things of life.
This series has a sort of Dickinsonian/Austenesque quality to it.
The sets are fantastic, the costuming is amazing, and the storylines and acting are top-notch. I found myself gaining an increased understanding of and appreciation for England and the English experience through watching this miniseries.
Of course, this series is not for everyone. If you are guy looking for an action-adventure flick, keep on walking, you won't find what you are looking for here. If, however, you are a viewer who enjoys history, period films, drama, and BBC-style work, then welcome home!
5 stars all the way.
P.S. If you enjoy "Cranford" you will almost certainly also enjoy the Lark Rise to Candleford: The Complete Season One and the other seasons of that show as well.
Movie Review: Rating by a 56 Year Old Man
Summary: 5 Stars
What a surprise this film was. I found it at the library and decided to give it a try. Normally I watch American classics from the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. My wife and I watched Cranford together and just could not get enough. The script is perfection, the set decoration is superb, the acting top notch and the music score is well done. Like some of the others commented; the only disappointment was that it was only five hours long! I definitely could have watched more episodes had they stretched this out. Beautifully acted, filmed, and scored. The entire production was thoroughly enjoyable and wholesome, albeit a little gruesome at some points for young children. The only thing I didn't like is the name of the village; 'Cranford'. The village name makes it sound like a clunky American soap opera - which it is not. The writing is just superb, the cast and acting even better. It is hard to say who my favorite character was, but easy to pick the best actor.... the little boy (son of the poacher)who was taught at the manor was exceptionally brilliant - as are all the others. Not a lemon in the bunch! I was disappointed each time credits began to roll signafying the end of an episode. I just did not want this to end. By the way, use the captions if you have a hard time understanding any of the heavier British accents as I occasionally did. Clears things right up. I can't wait for some time to pass so that I can watch this series again in freshness someday, (I often watch good movies as many as 20 or more times; e.g. Key Largo, etc.).
Movie Review: A British Keeper
Summary: 5 Stars
Feeling sorry for myself after multiple lung problems requiring me to take load of meds and time off from work (but NOT in the fun way), my darling Brit husband and I watched this wonderful BBC series featuring one of my favorite actresses, Judi Dench. Anything Dame Judi touches is pure gold in my Anglophile eyes and this was no exception.
A period British costume 5 part BBC series told in one hour increments, each one topped the other. Beautifully acted, staged and set, kudos must go to Eileen Atkins, Judi Dench, Lisa Dillon and Imeda Staunton along with Simon Woods, John Bowe and Francecsa Annis that make this quaint 19th century British village come to life.
Manners matter. Visitors may call upon you after 3 o'clock but not a moment before. The introduction of a new, young village doctor gets the ladies bosom's heaving, imaginations going into overdrive with misunderstandings making it only more delightful.
It is not acted in broad strokes but in small intricate ones that compose the moral compass of the entire village afraid of change whether involving a new neighbor or the imposing railroad linking them to Manchester.
I know its the middle of the summer, but I am putting this on my Christmas list. My husband is going out to pick up its sequel. He enjoyed it as much as I did.
My husband and this DVD are both British keepers.
Enjoy the show but keep your hands off my husband!
Movie Review: Moving to Cranford!
Summary: 5 Stars
U.S. television programming is at an all time low of mindless, degrading
stupidity, violence and sexuality. Most times it is hardly worth turning
on. Thank God for BBC. Cranford is a little masterpiece of charm, wit
and warmth. The soap opera of the 1800's. Two secrets to British movies
and television---characters always look like real people. They are engaging to watch because they look so interesting and different. The
U.S. market continually hires the same look of a thirty year old, beautiful mannequin or an elderly woman who has had plastic surgery to
look like a thirty year old. Everyone is so homogenized in the L.A. look
that it is akin to watching science fiction. Add gratuitous sex and a
poorly written plot and you have our "made for TV" movies and most sitcoms. Brit actors are a rich tapestry of the human face and it pays off. Secondly, Cranford is filmed and costumed in a sort of "sepia" tone
which fits the time and place. The gray, green, brown of most--the interior dingy atmosphere is true to homes of the period. Contrast is
scarce (the wealthy, the color of imported silks, a May Day celebration) but
very effective. I will watch this series over and over and visit my new
friends in Cranford. I have read in British newspapers online that the
actors have all signed on to do a Christmas (in Cranford) special to
reprise the characters so we have something to look forward to.