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Product Description
Feature-length BBC drama based on the life of Anne Lister, the 19th-century scholar, philanthropist and Yorkshire landowner, considered by many to be the first modern lesbian. Maxine Peake stars as Lister, a contemporary of Jane Austen who compiled a bitingly honest four million word diary detailing her inner life and loves, including her passionate relationship with long-term partner, heiress Ann Walker (Christine Bottomley).
Product Description
United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 2.4 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital 5.1 ), English ( Subtitles ), WIDESCREEN (1.78:1), SPECIAL FEATURES: Cast/Crew Interview(s), Interactive Menu, Scene Access, SYNOPSIS: In nineteenth century Yorkshire wealthy orphan Anne Lister lives with an aunt and uncle, anxious for her to marry well and blissfully unaware that she is a lesbian,recording her thoughts and exploits in a coded diary. When her lover Mariana Belcombe makes a marriage of convenience to rich old Charles Lawton,she feels betrayed and,although Mariana visits and has sex with her,the relationship is going nowhere. Helped by old flame Tib she makes a play for innocent Miss Browne but sees she is barking up the wrong tree and diverts herself by renovating the family hall. A drunken Tib almost exposes her secret and scornful mine-owner Christopher Rawson,whose marriage proposal she rejects,tells her that her sexuality is a subject of local gossip. Undeterred Anne meets Ann Walker who becomes her new 'wife' and they open a coal-mine ,living happily together. An end title tells us that Anne Lister died prematurely in 1840 on holiday in Russia. ...The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
39 of 39 people found the following review helpful
By Grace Poole
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a wonderful piece of social history brought to life. Don't be put off by thinking it is just another lesbian drama made for cheap thrills. Whatever your sexual preferences this is a touching and thought provoking film.
It is the true story of Miss Anne Lister of Shibden Hall, Yorkshire, who thwarted the pre-Victorian ideal of marrying a wealthy man and providing an heir. I think she must have been one gutsy lady to live her life true to her heart despite knowing that people were sniggering behind her back and even calling her "gentleman Jack". She was also a learned lady and had a head for business. Very interesting from a historical point of view. I've no doubt many women at that time must have lived together as a couple, but in denial and with an excuse of some kind. Anne Lister was ahead of her time in thinking that she could live openly with her female lover as a married couple and be accepted by society. I thought Maxine Peake's performance was amazing.
It is the true story of Miss Anne Lister of Shibden Hall, Yorkshire, who thwarted the pre-Victorian ideal of marrying a wealthy man and providing an heir. I think she must have been one gutsy lady to live her life true to her heart despite knowing that people were sniggering behind her back and even calling her "gentleman Jack". She was also a learned lady and had a head for business. Very interesting from a historical point of view. I've no doubt many women at that time must have lived together as a couple, but in denial and with an excuse of some kind. Anne Lister was ahead of her time in thinking that she could live openly with her female lover as a married couple and be accepted by society. I thought Maxine Peake's performance was amazing.
65 of 67 people found the following review helpful
By Clare
Format:DVD
This film dramatises a little piece of lesbian history - the extraordinarily explicit diaries of Halifax lesbian Anne Lister, which she wrote in a complicated code. If you are a lesbian and you don't know about Anne, you're in for a real treat, and if you do know about her, this is a great realisation of her story on screen. Anne is fairly wealthy, totally unabashed in pursuing her alliances and yet also has a yearning restlessness about her which is perfectly brought out in the film. The objects of her affections are often more susceptible to societal pressure and the film turns on her search for a woman who will be her 'one true companion'a quest with several false leads, including her best friend who loves her but who isn't loved in return.
It's heartwarming rather than sexy (although there are some charged love scenes) but this film shouldn't be dismissed as a worthy curiosity. There's some great performances, a real sense of connection between the actresses and a great story, which just happens to be true. Who knew Halifax was so exciting?
It's heartwarming rather than sexy (although there are some charged love scenes) but this film shouldn't be dismissed as a worthy curiosity. There's some great performances, a real sense of connection between the actresses and a great story, which just happens to be true. Who knew Halifax was so exciting?
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By MISS UPTON
Format:DVD
A BELOVED AND BEAUTIFULL TALE BROUGHT TO SCREEN. ONE WOMAN'S POWERFULL STORY OF THE SEARCH FOR TRUE LOVE, ANN, OFTEN DESPAIRING AT THE ATTITUDE'S, AND OFTEN SNOBBISH BEHAVIOUR OF HER SO CALLED SOCIAL CIRCLE.
I HAVE READ THE BOOK ( IT TAKE'S A WHILE TO ADAPT TO THE WAY PEOPLE SPOKE, CIRCA 1800'S ) BUT IF YOU FIND THE BOOK " HEAVY GOING " THIS DVD FROM AMAZON EXPLAIN'S ALL.
A TRUE TALE OF LESBIAN LOVE IN A " MAN'S WORLD "
HEARTILY RECOMMENDED. 4****
I HAVE READ THE BOOK ( IT TAKE'S A WHILE TO ADAPT TO THE WAY PEOPLE SPOKE, CIRCA 1800'S ) BUT IF YOU FIND THE BOOK " HEAVY GOING " THIS DVD FROM AMAZON EXPLAIN'S ALL.
A TRUE TALE OF LESBIAN LOVE IN A " MAN'S WORLD "
HEARTILY RECOMMENDED. 4****
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Intriqued by the background, only not quite deep enough
Jane Austen like settings, and interesting background story. Only somehow, I didn't really sense the depths of the emotions. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mikdane
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister
Another excellent movie presented by the BBC. It portrays the difficults of same sex relationships in the 19 century. Excellent acting.
Published 2 months ago by Sophie
4.0 out of 5 stars
Sweet drama
Another good drama that have good actresses that work well together and that is about true person that did well in the story.
Published 3 months ago by MICHELLE ALEXANDRA BROWN
5.0 out of 5 stars
Unmissable but surely there is much more to Anne Lister...
Thoroughly enjoyed this especially as my Wife and I had visited Shibden Hall no more than 2 weeks prior to seeing it. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Stormbusta
4.0 out of 5 stars
check out the extras
I bought this after visiting Anne Lister's home, Shibden Hall in Halifax (really, really interesting visit). Read more
Published 4 months ago by Hill Walker
4.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful - but avoid the 'special feature'
As other reviewers have said, this a well scripted, directed and wonderfully acted story. Maxine Peake simply excels in the title role. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Badger
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful drama
This is a scrupulous and substantial dramatisation of the early adult life of Miss Anne Lister, a Regency heiress in search of a "wife". Read more
Published 8 months ago by R. Davies
4.0 out of 5 stars
A plesant surprise
I enjoy period dramas and also love a good lesbian film. This incorporated both and was well worth the purchase. A well pro-ducted drama which I have watched a few times already
Published 12 months ago by Ms. L. J. Lewis
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant drama
I am a massive fan of 19th/20th century lesbian "dramas",having seen Affinity,Tipping The Velvet and Fingersmith. So when I saw this listed on the tv,I had to watch it. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Mel_B
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lesbian history celebrated
Well finally lesbian heritage is being celebrated in the grand old tradition of Regency costume drama. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Colette
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