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DVD Description
Andrew Davies’ sparkling adaptation of Winifred Holtby’s acclaimed novel
Insightful, warm and full of memorable characters, South Riding tells a fraught love story and paints a panoramic portrait of a between-the-wars Yorkshire community.
In depression-hit Thirties Britain, Sarah Burton returns from London to her Yorkshire hometown to take up the post of headmistress at a struggling girls’ school. Full of ambition, she is determined to create a great school and inspire her girls.
As Sarah struggles against the crippling poverty of the district, she meets those at the heart of the local community: her brilliant but poor student, Lydia Holly; the county's first woman Alderman, Mrs Beddows, whose sensible demeanour belies a girlish heart; the noble but ludicrous Methodist preacher, Councillor Huggins; Sarah’s socialist suitor Joe Astell and the proud, haunted and almost ruined landowner, Robert Carne – a man Sarah finds herself drawn towards even though he stands for everything she detests…
Engrossing and entertaining, South Riding vividly brings to life a rural community on the brink of change.
Starring: Anna Maxwell Martin, David Morrissey, Charlie May-Clark, Shauan Dooley, Brid Brennan, Katherine McGolpin, John Henshaw, Penelope Wilton and Douglas Henshall.
Adapted by Andrew Davies from the novel by Winifred Holtby.
Directed by Diarmuid Lawrence.
Produced by Lisa Osborne.
Executive Producers: Anne Pivcevic and Hilary Martin
Insightful, warm and full of memorable characters, South Riding tells a fraught love story and paints a panoramic portrait of a between-the-wars Yorkshire community.
In depression-hit Thirties Britain, Sarah Burton returns from London to her Yorkshire hometown to take up the post of headmistress at a struggling girls’ school. Full of ambition, she is determined to create a great school and inspire her girls.
As Sarah struggles against the crippling poverty of the district, she meets those at the heart of the local community: her brilliant but poor student, Lydia Holly; the county's first woman Alderman, Mrs Beddows, whose sensible demeanour belies a girlish heart; the noble but ludicrous Methodist preacher, Councillor Huggins; Sarah’s socialist suitor Joe Astell and the proud, haunted and almost ruined landowner, Robert Carne – a man Sarah finds herself drawn towards even though he stands for everything she detests…
Engrossing and entertaining, South Riding vividly brings to life a rural community on the brink of change.
Starring: Anna Maxwell Martin, David Morrissey, Charlie May-Clark, Shauan Dooley, Brid Brennan, Katherine McGolpin, John Henshaw, Penelope Wilton and Douglas Henshall.
Adapted by Andrew Davies from the novel by Winifred Holtby.
Directed by Diarmuid Lawrence.
Produced by Lisa Osborne.
Executive Producers: Anne Pivcevic and Hilary Martin
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
50 of 53 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
It was surely impossible to imagine that such a long and complex book could be condensed satisfactorily into 3 x 1 hour episodes. All that has been done is to pick out a few strands of the book and create a TV series that lacks depth. The acting of the lead characters is very good and they do the best they can with the material provided.
However, if you want to see an in-depth adaptation of South Riding then go to the 1974 13-part series that starred Dorothy Tutin and Nigel Davenport. This has stood the test of time pretty well and whilst to some modern viewers it may seem to start slowly it rewards the viewer with some fine acting and a more complete representation of Winifred Holtby's wonderful book.
However, if you want to see an in-depth adaptation of South Riding then go to the 1974 13-part series that starred Dorothy Tutin and Nigel Davenport. This has stood the test of time pretty well and whilst to some modern viewers it may seem to start slowly it rewards the viewer with some fine acting and a more complete representation of Winifred Holtby's wonderful book.
34 of 36 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
South Riding is a three part serial from a long tradition of period dramas made for TV. However, it stands out from most of its peers as it based on the book of the same name by Winifred Holtby, which is a classic. In the 1930s Sarah returns to her native South Riding of Yorkshire from London, and is interviewed for the job of headteacher at a local girls high school which Ofsted would certainly describe as failing! Despite fundamental differences with some members of the interviewing panel she gets the job.
There are two different ways of rating this mini series. Taken in isolation it is absorbing and entertaining and is certainly worth Five Stars, and this is what I have based my rating on. However, there is no way that a book of this complexity can be adequately translated into three hours of TV viewing so of necessity, only some of the major strands can be picked up and to some extent developed in this time period. I would imagine that the previous TV series from the 1970s which ran to 13 parts was much more satisfactory in this respect. Therefore based on a judgement of how well the series reflects the book, we are probably looking at Two Stars.
The beauty of the book, which does translate to a large extent into the TV adaptation, is the superb portrayal of the diverse characters within this rural community. Some are major and memorable characters such as Lydia, the brilliant scholar from the shacks (temporary slum housing scheduled for demolition) with a difficult family background who like Sarah is new to the school - when her mother dies she struggles to keep her scholarship place at the school. Another key figure is Robert Carne, who has enormous pressures in his life with a mentally unbalanced wife and a delicate daughter as well as extreme economic difficulties and who develops a rapport with Sarah which initially appears unlikely. There are also a host of minor characters who enrich the community with their complex and varied individual quirks. This is all set against the background of the depressed economy of the 1930s and the strains within the community which this creates.
Like most of these TV mini series, this will be better viewed in one go with the boxed set rather than waiting a frustrating week to see the next instalment on TV. Provided you do not watch with too many pre conceived expectations you will thoroughly enjoy it. However, if you are looking for a series which reflects the book it is based on you are going to be sorely disappointed and would probably do best to avoid.
There are two different ways of rating this mini series. Taken in isolation it is absorbing and entertaining and is certainly worth Five Stars, and this is what I have based my rating on. However, there is no way that a book of this complexity can be adequately translated into three hours of TV viewing so of necessity, only some of the major strands can be picked up and to some extent developed in this time period. I would imagine that the previous TV series from the 1970s which ran to 13 parts was much more satisfactory in this respect. Therefore based on a judgement of how well the series reflects the book, we are probably looking at Two Stars.
The beauty of the book, which does translate to a large extent into the TV adaptation, is the superb portrayal of the diverse characters within this rural community. Some are major and memorable characters such as Lydia, the brilliant scholar from the shacks (temporary slum housing scheduled for demolition) with a difficult family background who like Sarah is new to the school - when her mother dies she struggles to keep her scholarship place at the school. Another key figure is Robert Carne, who has enormous pressures in his life with a mentally unbalanced wife and a delicate daughter as well as extreme economic difficulties and who develops a rapport with Sarah which initially appears unlikely. There are also a host of minor characters who enrich the community with their complex and varied individual quirks. This is all set against the background of the depressed economy of the 1930s and the strains within the community which this creates.
Like most of these TV mini series, this will be better viewed in one go with the boxed set rather than waiting a frustrating week to see the next instalment on TV. Provided you do not watch with too many pre conceived expectations you will thoroughly enjoy it. However, if you are looking for a series which reflects the book it is based on you are going to be sorely disappointed and would probably do best to avoid.
14 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I eagerly awaited this latest version of one of my favourite books, only to be sadly disappointed. The book itself covers the lives of a vast array of characters, most of whom had been omitted from this production. While I quite liked Anna Maxwell Martin's portrayal of Sarah Burton, I found the other characters mere cardboard cut-outs. Robert Carne was an especial disappointment. And liberties were taken with the plot - Joe Astell declaring his love for Sarah? This was never even hinted at in the book!
When I saw that Andrew Davies was the writer, I was hoping for a wonderful, rich new adaptation of the book, a more-or-less faithful rendition with new and interesting takes on the storyline (as with Pride and Prejudice), but I'm afraid this was very much a damp squib.
Three hour-long episodes are just not long enough for a complex story such as South Riding. The 70s version with Dorothy Tutin and Nigel Davenport was much, much better.
When I saw that Andrew Davies was the writer, I was hoping for a wonderful, rich new adaptation of the book, a more-or-less faithful rendition with new and interesting takes on the storyline (as with Pride and Prejudice), but I'm afraid this was very much a damp squib.
Three hour-long episodes are just not long enough for a complex story such as South Riding. The 70s version with Dorothy Tutin and Nigel Davenport was much, much better.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
south riding
This is an excellent BBC serialisation of the compelling novel by Winifred Holtby; comprising of all the episodes. Brilliant cast and superb production.
Published 2 months ago by derek
This is a frustrating one
It is difficult to rate this series. I was very keen to see it. I liked the cast/director etc... immensely and all augured well for it being good, and it was until the end, when... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Paula C. Astridge
I was greatly entertained.
Luckily and had not read the book, so I did not expect anything. But I tended to think that a BBC period production could not be half as bad as the reviews, and I was right. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Isabella Balkert
Uh...what just happened?
This is the weirdest period production I've seen in a while, and a terribly disappointing effort from the master of the adaptation, Andrew Davies. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Boo Radley
Short but sweet!
Wonderful performances giving three hours of delight. I do know the original adaptation and love it but this serves well as a more modern take on the book and I found it quite... Read more
Published 10 months ago by HelenG
Another Promising Drama Nipped in the Bud!
Oh dear! I fear that viewers are reaping the results of the BBC's swingeing cuts!
This well-acted drama, based on a beloved novel, certainly has possibilities: Anna... Read more
This well-acted drama, based on a beloved novel, certainly has possibilities: Anna... Read more
Published 12 months ago by F. S. L'hoir
Something missing
I bought this series because of Anna Maxwell Martin originally, but after watching it, I will certainly read the book. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Eva Szoke
BBC what have you done now?
I am a huge admirer of BBC drama, particularly of costume dramas and adaptations, but I didn't understand this mini series. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Ka Hogan
Coming, coming, gone!
This was a most promising story with a good building of character and a potential un-earthing of nuggets of insight into the conflict of the political thinking of the left and... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Polyblot
Two thirds OK; One third utterly dreadful
The first two episodes of this Drama are enjoyable: good plot that is well paced and has an integrity of storyline, well acted, fabulous production values, properly directed,... Read more
Published 14 months ago by meg
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