Cranford Review
Friday, January 8, 2010
, Posted by Should I See It at 4:08 PM
Show: Cranford (BBC)
Director: Simon Curtis
Starring: Lisa Dillon, Judi Dench, Eilleen Atkins, Francesca Annis
Plot: This five part mini series follows a year in the lives of the people in the fictional town of Cranford from summer 1942 to summer 1943.
After re-watching Cranford on ABC2, I feel compelled to write a review, if only just to spread the word on this fantastic miniseries from the BBC.
I would expect nothing less from the producers of the 1996 miniseries Pride and Prejudice, which gave every woman around the world Colin Firth as the dreamy Mr Darcy. Up until now, Pride and Prejudice has been the shining jewel in the BBC crown. However, a charming script and an ensemble of wonderful performances, suggests that the BBC might have a new crowning glory.
Instead of the usual straight forward page to screen adaptations, writer Heidi Thomas and producers Sue Birtwistle and Susie Conklin have combined three novellas by Elizabeth Gaskell- Cranford, My Lady Ludlow and Mr Harrison's Confessions- into a seamless story that enchants.
Often period dramas seem to descend into merely who marries who, but somehow Cranford manages to escape this by engaging with social issues of the time. Cranford does not shy away from the harsh realities of Victorian living. Death and illness abound. Poverty and the underprivileged lower classes are explored in what is perhaps Cranford’s most touching storyline involving a squatter’s son Harry Gregson (Alex Etel), Lady Ludlow (Francesca Annis) and the manager of her estate Mr Carter (Philip Glenister).
The emerging technology of the day is regarded with fear and suspicion. There is great disapproval of new doctor Frank Harrison’s (Simon Woods) methods. The reaction to the news that the railway is coming to Cranford tells you everything you need to know about the characters and the world in which they live.
What separates Cranford from a lot of other period dramas is the role of the women in the story. In Cranford, the woman ARE the story. Even though they are either widows or spinsters, or maybe because of it, the power of the town rests firmly in their hands. That their power is, for the most part, a moral and social power as opposed to monetary says something about both their time and ours. Out of that display of power springs a feminism that never seems out of context.
Cranford does explore the plight of the unmarried woman in Victorian times. It is dealt with both comically (Miss Pole) and with reverence (Miss Galindo). In this respect a character such as Miss Pole demonstrates idiosyncrasies that come out of her situation and the time in which she lives. In less careful hands, Miss Pole could have been an absurdity. But it is a credit to writer Heidi Thomas that she has taken such skill and care to create these characters.
Of course it wouldn’t be a period drama without a love story, and in Cranford we have two. The young blossoming romance between Dr Harrison and Sophy Hutton, the rectors daughter, is juxtaposed with the older, more staid, yet unrequited love between Miss Matty and Mr Holbrook.
I must admit that it does help that the cast list of Cranford reads as a who’s who of British Film and television.
At the core is a wonderfully warm performance from British stage actress Lisa Dillon as Miss Mary Smith, a newcomer to Cranford, who discovers the town much at the same rate as the audience does.
Imelda Staunton is a particular standout as the aforementioned idiosyncratic Miss Pole. And I have to admit I was relieved to see Judi Dench do something other than just the Judi Dench thing in her role as Miss Matty.
While it was Eileen Atkins that won the BAFTA for her role as Miss Deborah Jenkins, the moral compass of the town, my favourite performance would have be that of Francesca Annis as Lady Ludlow, who despite have the iciness of the aristocracy, is able to engage the audience’s sympathy with the recognition that the aristocracy is fast becoming obsolete.
Though I have singled out a few cast members here, it really is unfair to do so as it is an ensemble piece and everyone is terrific.
Cranford creates a wonderfully vivid portrait of Victorian living with a creativity and an elegance that we could use more of in on screen entertainment.
I would expect nothing less from the producers of the 1996 miniseries Pride and Prejudice, which gave every woman around the world Colin Firth as the dreamy Mr Darcy. Up until now, Pride and Prejudice has been the shining jewel in the BBC crown. However, a charming script and an ensemble of wonderful performances, suggests that the BBC might have a new crowning glory.
Instead of the usual straight forward page to screen adaptations, writer Heidi Thomas and producers Sue Birtwistle and Susie Conklin have combined three novellas by Elizabeth Gaskell- Cranford, My Lady Ludlow and Mr Harrison's Confessions- into a seamless story that enchants.
Often period dramas seem to descend into merely who marries who, but somehow Cranford manages to escape this by engaging with social issues of the time. Cranford does not shy away from the harsh realities of Victorian living. Death and illness abound. Poverty and the underprivileged lower classes are explored in what is perhaps Cranford’s most touching storyline involving a squatter’s son Harry Gregson (Alex Etel), Lady Ludlow (Francesca Annis) and the manager of her estate Mr Carter (Philip Glenister).
The emerging technology of the day is regarded with fear and suspicion. There is great disapproval of new doctor Frank Harrison’s (Simon Woods) methods. The reaction to the news that the railway is coming to Cranford tells you everything you need to know about the characters and the world in which they live.
What separates Cranford from a lot of other period dramas is the role of the women in the story. In Cranford, the woman ARE the story. Even though they are either widows or spinsters, or maybe because of it, the power of the town rests firmly in their hands. That their power is, for the most part, a moral and social power as opposed to monetary says something about both their time and ours. Out of that display of power springs a feminism that never seems out of context.
Cranford does explore the plight of the unmarried woman in Victorian times. It is dealt with both comically (Miss Pole) and with reverence (Miss Galindo). In this respect a character such as Miss Pole demonstrates idiosyncrasies that come out of her situation and the time in which she lives. In less careful hands, Miss Pole could have been an absurdity. But it is a credit to writer Heidi Thomas that she has taken such skill and care to create these characters.
Of course it wouldn’t be a period drama without a love story, and in Cranford we have two. The young blossoming romance between Dr Harrison and Sophy Hutton, the rectors daughter, is juxtaposed with the older, more staid, yet unrequited love between Miss Matty and Mr Holbrook.
I must admit that it does help that the cast list of Cranford reads as a who’s who of British Film and television.
At the core is a wonderfully warm performance from British stage actress Lisa Dillon as Miss Mary Smith, a newcomer to Cranford, who discovers the town much at the same rate as the audience does.
Imelda Staunton is a particular standout as the aforementioned idiosyncratic Miss Pole. And I have to admit I was relieved to see Judi Dench do something other than just the Judi Dench thing in her role as Miss Matty.
While it was Eileen Atkins that won the BAFTA for her role as Miss Deborah Jenkins, the moral compass of the town, my favourite performance would have be that of Francesca Annis as Lady Ludlow, who despite have the iciness of the aristocracy, is able to engage the audience’s sympathy with the recognition that the aristocracy is fast becoming obsolete.
Though I have singled out a few cast members here, it really is unfair to do so as it is an ensemble piece and everyone is terrific.
Cranford creates a wonderfully vivid portrait of Victorian living with a creativity and an elegance that we could use more of in on screen entertainment.
Should I See It?
Definitely not to be missed. I dare you not to like it.
Definitely not to be missed. I dare you not to like it.
Cranford is available for purchase on DVD at the BBC Shop.
