The Rector's Wife (1994) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)THE RECTOR'S WIFE is one the most memorable British television productions from the 1990s. The lovely and accomplished Lindsay Duncan's understated, yet powerful performance as Anna Bouverie captures all the character's frustrations, disappointments and, finally, flowering in the wake of new love and the potential of a new life away from a loveless marriage and oppressive community. The film offers insightful comment about the nature of marriage and of the role of religion in modern society without being preachy or judgmental; if one chooses to ignore these themes, the film can just be enjoyed as fine, compelling drama. With Miss Duncan, there is fine support from the wonderful Stephen Dillane and from Ronald Pickup and, as always, Prunella Scales. Well worth repeated viewings.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Rector's Wife (1994)

The deeply moving drama of one woman's rebellion against convention. Lindsay Duncan (Under the Tuscan Sun, A Year in Provence) delivers a formidable performance as Anna Bouverie, a 20th-century woman trapped in her role as a vicar's wife in the English village of Loxford. Arranging church socials, delivering the parish newsletter, and answering the rectory's endlessly ringing phone, Anna feels stifled by her marriage and her circumstances. "I married the man, not the job," she pleads. "I'm not an outboard motor. I'm another boat!"Anna's first tentative steps toward self-definition meet resistance from her increasingly distant husband as well as from patronizing parishioners. But when two other men in her orbit offer their support -and perhaps more-Anna must sort out their real motives and make her choices. Also featuring Miles Anderson, Stephen Dillane, Pam Ferris, Ronald Pickup, Joyce Redman, and Prunella Scales. As seen on Masterpiece Theatre. DVD SPECIAL FEATURES INCLUDE Joanna Trollope bio and cast filmographies.

Get 10% OFF

Click here for more information about The Rector's Wife (1994)

Read More...

Country Matters (1972) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Despite the term "heartwarming" in the descriptive copy on the back of the "Country Matters" DVD case, most of the episodes are reminiscent of Thomas Hardy. They are slow, brooding, and mostly focus on rural life as it really was for the poorer classes: Isolated locations; dark, dirty cottages; bare economic survival; few acquaintances; poor verbal communication; and extremely limited options in life. In most episodes, the central character is offered one chance at a better life, usually economic improvement and/or love and/or escape from a bad family. And usually, fails to get it due to either poor choices or bad luck, and then is made to realize how dreary things will be for the rest of his or her life. It's a good series, but don't watch more than one or two episodes in an evening if you want cheerful dreams.
The rural locations are beautiful, the costumes are pretty good, the acting is excellent, in short the production values of this series are high. Except--and it's a big except--for the music. British folk music would have accented the series extremely well. Instead, the music for every single episode consists of a little-varied, much-repeated, rinky-dinky, incongruously upbeat, rather electronic tune which, if memory serves, is also the theme for the BBC "Lovejoy" detective series. If BBC couldn't shell out enough for decent music at the time the series was filmed, they ought to have done it before issuing this DVD.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Country Matters (1972)

One of the most widely acclaimed drama series television has ever produced, these adaptations of short stories by A.E. Coppard and H.E. Bates present provocative and heartwarming tales set against the vast English countryside during the post-World War I period. Featuring stunning locations and star-studded casts that include Ian McKellen, Peter Firth, Pauline Collins, Rosalind Ayres and Prunella Scales, these eight lavish dramas reveal the timeless and constant qualities of the British landscape and its people. 2 DVD set includes:Craven Arms - The Mill - The Sullens Sisters - The Watercress Girl The Little Farm - The Black Dog - The Higgler - The Ring of Truth

Get 7% OFF

Click here for more information about Country Matters (1972)

Read More...