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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
This international award winning film adaptation of Catherine Cookson's best selling book of the same name should delight Ms. Cookson's devoted fans and anyone else who enjoys period pieces in which class conflicts are the central theme.
Set in England in the 1840s, a desperate widow with three children, two boys and a girl, takes the post of housekeeper to a crusty member of the gentry who lives in solitary shabby splendor in a home that has seen better days. Living in genteel poverty, he is intrigued by the fact that his housekeeper and her children are literate. Moved by this family who has infused some interest into his formerly desiccated life, he decides to dedicate some personal effort to educating the children.
Unfortunately, he has a dark side that causes a rift in the family he seems to have adopted as his own. Alienated from the oldest son who has little interest in learning, he continues to teach the other two children. The daughter, in particular, thirsts for knowledge and she takes to his tutoring as a duck takes to water. Consequently, she develops a deep affection for him, which he reciprocates. When he dies, she is a well-educated young woman with an appreciation for books.
After his death, however, her mother, angered by the terms of her late employer's will, forces her daughter to go into service as a laundress in a wealthy household in order to earn an income. There, the daughter's intelligence, literacy, and education causes endless trouble, both upstairs and downstairs, and class conflicts begin to raise their ugly head. When certain events transpire in the household that cause her to escape her drudgery, her life takes an unexpected turn, and the world soon becomes her oyster.
This is a handsome production with wonderful performances by the entire cast. It is sure to delight those who enjoy period pieces, as well as those who enjoy the novels of the late Catherine Cookson.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is one of the best in the fine Catherine Cookson series produced by Ray Marshall. The story is less involved than some others, but it has more than enough twists and surprises to sustain an interesting narrative. However, its key strengths are a fabulous cast, and settings, costumes and locations that realise an historical authenticity rarely bettered. It is probably unfair to single out one actor from a stellar group, but Geraldine Somerville's vivid and engaging performance as the central character Biddy is outstanding. The music in this production is also a treat.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
if you like Catherine cookson stories you will like this one , a good little drama with a happy ending
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Janet McTeer amazing actress
AN Earlier acting piece from Janet,love this story.Ms McTeer is really marvelous,acents she is brillant.Love the scene with the gown.
Published 2 months ago by Natalie Drury
Superb.
One of Tv's better productions of Cookson's books. A dark and sometimes disturbing tale, quality acting, lots of twists and turns and an upstairs downstairs part that brutally... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Kev Stock
Nice but...
I thoroughly enjoyed this movie and would probably have enjoyed it more had it been a lavish BBC production. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Volvi
Black Velvet Gown
Bought this DVD for Mum, she's into period pieces and old films. She loves it.
Published 19 months ago by Jacey26
satisfied customer
This was bought as a present for my mother who is very happy with it. speedy delivery and good packaging.
Published 23 months ago by Kay
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