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United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital 2.0 ), SPECIAL FEATURES: 2-DVD Set, Filmographies, Interactive Menu, Scene Access, SYNOPSIS: Leslie Phillips and Michael Maloney star in this BBC adaptation of John Hadfield's 1959 comic novel, Love On A Branch Line. The series concerns a civil servant, Jasper Pye (Maloney), who is sent by the government to dismantle a forgotten research unit housed in an old country mansion, Arcady Hall. The owner Lord Flamborough (Phillips), an eccentric double amputee, lives in an old train on his own, otherwise closed, 'branch line' while the government pay for the upkeep of his ancestral home. Flamborough's equally eccentric family, his wife and three daughters all live in Arcady Hall. When Pye arrives he is intent on producing an efficient report regarding the unit, however within days he falls under the spell of the stately home and its inhabitants... ...Love on a Branch Line
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
42 of 42 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
Although this series was all too quickly over, and has now lapsed into unavailability, the BBC would do well to resurrect it. From similar mould to The Darling Buds of May, it is a classicly English tale of abandoned steam train services, a dallying civil servant, and bureaucracy gone laughably wrong. The romantic entanglements are scintillating. The production is superbly high quality. This series surely warms the heart of any nostalgic TV buff. Come on the BBC - get this ripping yarn back into production, on video or DVD, and give it the push it so richly deserves.
35 of 35 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is probably one of the best TV dramatisations I've ever seen, and as an adaptation of John Hadfield's novel it is a supreme example of how to translate classic fiction into exceptional television.
The TV series exquisitely captures the atmosphere of the book, which has a quirky, otherworldy and charming sense of humour.
This is typically English eccentricity, and a wonderful wallow in the post-war world.
The only major change made between the book and the TV series is that Arcady Hall becomes the responsibility of the National Trust rather than a Nuclear Research Establishment. Somehow, that's more appropriate.
The TV series exquisitely captures the atmosphere of the book, which has a quirky, otherworldy and charming sense of humour.
This is typically English eccentricity, and a wonderful wallow in the post-war world.
The only major change made between the book and the TV series is that Arcady Hall becomes the responsibility of the National Trust rather than a Nuclear Research Establishment. Somehow, that's more appropriate.
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
1957.Disillusioned minor civil servant Jasper Pye(Michael Maloney)is sent to deepest East Anglia and Arcady Hall to assess the continued viability of a statistical department charged with monitoring foreign publications ran by Profesor Pollox(Graham Crowden)and his two assistants Quirk(Stephen Moore) and Miss Mounsey(Amanda Root).However finding out exactly what the department does proves to be somewhat elusive and he is not helped by the eccentric Lord and Lady Flamborough(Leslie Phillips,Maria Aitken)who actually lease the stately home to the ministry and their three enticing daughters Belinda(Abigail Cruttendon),Matilda(Charlotte Williams)and the lovely Chloe(the gorgeous Cathryn Harrison)who provide plenty of distractions.Throw in Chloe's happy drunk of a husband(David Haig)and gentle chaos ensues.
Adapted by David Nobbs from John Hadfield's novel,Love on a Branch Line channels that love of rural england espoused by H E Bates in The Darling Buds Of May and indeed anyone who enjoyed Darling Buds on t.v will find much to enjoy here.The background is a little more rarified but the essential goodness of country folk seeps through.
Maloney is a lttle too wet at times,his character's narration can be somewhat deadening and part two is a bit of a drag but overall the performances are lovely especially from Crowden and Harrison and the scene in part one on the train and the extended cricket match sequence(Haig and Maloney find themselves locked in Haig's wine cellar prior to the game and overindulge in all manor of alcoholic concoctions -Carrot whiskey anyone!!) in part three are nothing short of joyous.
Warm hearted,amusing and nicely risque at times,Love on a Branch Line is on the whole delightful entertainment and a nice reminder of what television can really do with the right commissioning editors in place.This was made in 1993 and in real life as in tv land it feels a lifetime ago.
Adapted by David Nobbs from John Hadfield's novel,Love on a Branch Line channels that love of rural england espoused by H E Bates in The Darling Buds Of May and indeed anyone who enjoyed Darling Buds on t.v will find much to enjoy here.The background is a little more rarified but the essential goodness of country folk seeps through.
Maloney is a lttle too wet at times,his character's narration can be somewhat deadening and part two is a bit of a drag but overall the performances are lovely especially from Crowden and Harrison and the scene in part one on the train and the extended cricket match sequence(Haig and Maloney find themselves locked in Haig's wine cellar prior to the game and overindulge in all manor of alcoholic concoctions -Carrot whiskey anyone!!) in part three are nothing short of joyous.
Warm hearted,amusing and nicely risque at times,Love on a Branch Line is on the whole delightful entertainment and a nice reminder of what television can really do with the right commissioning editors in place.This was made in 1993 and in real life as in tv land it feels a lifetime ago.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Light Comedy
Love On A Branch Line [DVD]
A very amusing comedy in the English style.
Well worth the money; we shall watch it again and again.
A very amusing comedy in the English style.
Well worth the money; we shall watch it again and again.
Published 4 months ago by Mr. William P. J. Baily
Rubbish.
I have watched about 30 minutes of this, and will not be watching more. This is not funny, and not worth buying. Life is too short to watch DVD's like this one.
Published 12 months ago by Debbie
As near to perfection as you can get.
I recall seeing this wonderful series when it was first shown in the mid-90s. I recently purchased it from Amazon and it's been a delight to watch it over again. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Winston Butler
Charming, quitessetially British
Amusing, uncomplicated, poignant rom com with no gaffaws but a quite smile throughout. Lovely. Brain chocolate, but up-market brain-chocolate.
Published 21 months ago by KJB
Love on a branch line
I had seen this film some years ago,it was better the second time around.We watch it right through at one sitting.First rate viewing
Published 23 months ago by Mr. R. Taylor
love on a branch line
highly recommended funny escapism. very enjoyable and very happy type of film.good casting and very entertaining acting - and wittily relevant to these times of government... Read more
Published on 1 April 2010 by Paddy Henry
How did the world miss this one?
This is one of those great series' that no-one seems to have seen or to have heard of. Which is a shame because it is a masterful TV telling of John Hadfield's novel. Read more
Published on 23 Sep 2009 by C. Carter
The Great Escape
A lovely gentle comedy-drama giving hope to all of us who hope to escape the rat race. Superb acting, a great story and beautiful scenery make this a wonderful captivating... Read more
Published on 3 Aug 2009 by Dave From Kent
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