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| Cranford | 
 enlarge | Actors: Simon Woods, Judi Dench, Lisa Dillon, Imelda Staunton, Julia Mckenzie
Studio: BBC Warner
Category: DVD
List Price: $34.98
Buy New: $25.77
You Save: $9.21 (26%)
New (39) Used (11) from $21.35
Avg. Customer Rating:  101 reviews
Sales Rank: 594
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dvd-video, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Number Of Items: 2
Running Time: 291
Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.4 x 0.8
MPN: WARDE37442D
UPC: 883929012404
EAN: 0883929012404
ASIN: B00140PK6O
Theatrical Release Date: 2007
Release Date: May 20, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Brand new Item. CD, DVD, Book, VHS more than 400 000 titles to choose from. ALL days Low Price !
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Product Description
Studio: Warner Home Video Release Date: 05/20/2008 Run time: 295 minutes Rating: Nr
Amazon.com
Adapted from Elizabeth Gaskells' novels, the five-episode miniseries Cranford focuses on female characters in the 19th-century British town to thematically contemplate encroaching modernity in rural England. With the camera roving house to house, each drama within the grander story is constructed of scenes featuring dialogue between several gossipy ladies obsessed with moral code, romantic ideas about courtship, and social occasions. Three main characters, the ever-appropriate Deborah Jenkyns (Eileen Atkins), her sweet sister, Matilda (Judi Dench), and their younger, more savvy relative, Miss Smith, continuously weigh in on situations, providing a dependable view when other ladies, like the nosey Miss Pole (Imelda Staunton) are too judgmental. In fine period dress, the women of Cranford remind the viewer of how little action was needed in their small-town lives to provide unceasing entertainment. The series' most intriguing aspect lies not in the ample female conversation but rather in its display of earlier technologies and ways of life. Part One, for example, quickly launches a main narrative thread that runs throughout the series, namely the arrival and assimilation of London doctor, Frank Harrison (Simon Woods), into village society. Dr. Harrison's medical practices, such as his refusal to amputate a man's arm because it's broken, are all the more radical because they are so fundamental by today's standards. In subsequent episodes, he recommends Miss Smith get spectacles to cure her headaches, and saves his love's life by cooling her fever after conservative doctor, Dr. Morgan (John Bowe), recommends the old school practice of burying her in blankets in front of a raging fire. In Part Two, Lady Ludlow (Francesca Annis) throws a garden party at her estate, treating all the women in their fancy hats to a new novelty: ice cream. This scene foreshadows Ludlow's future concern at a railroad plan involving her land that would connect Cranford to Manchester, symbolizing the ruin of this idyllic setting. In fact, fluffy and clever as some scenes are, death and rebirth assert themselves in each showing, both physically and idealistically. Part Four shows an auctioning off of a deceased man's antiques, and focuses on issues of class and women's education, as Mr. Carter teaches a peasant boy to read while his assistant fumes at her trappings as a seamstress. Part Five ushers in a new period of medical emergencies, securing Dr. Harrison's shaky position in town. In total, Cranford offers a powerful, if sentimental, look at how death begets life, love, and passion. ‹Trinie Dalton
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| Customer Reviews: Read 96 more reviews...
Fabulous mini-series! January 7, 2009
I can't recommend this movie enough. It is long and so engaging. Well written with great characters and well developed plot. This is a great movie if you are a fan of Jane Austen. Same sort of time period.
Great from start to finish! January 6, 2009
I missed the first episode when this aired on PBS, but when I came in on the second episode, I knew I would be purchasing the dvd. I have never read the book(s) this series is based on, so I didn't have any expectations, but the stories and the people in the village of Cranford charmed me immediately. The cast is incredible, the plots are engaging, and the conclusion ties everything neatly together. I really enjoyed how the workings of the entire community, from landed gentry to the working class, were explored, revealing interesting details of 19th century life.
Masterpiece! January 1, 2009
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Cranford is fantastic, hilarious, and sentimental. Five hours sounds long but I swear it flies by; there are some scenes that will stay with me for the rest of my life. If you have a heart you will like Cranford.
The little town of Cranford December 31, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I watched this film in its entirety. I was too captivated, I could not break it up into partial views.
Wonderful acting, wonderful story, and chracters. This one goes on my top list of BBC films along with Pride and Prejudice w/Colin Firth.
***** 5
As Good As It Gets December 29, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Cranford is one of the best films I've ever seen. I tend to be a quite critical movie viewer and I find this one to be near perfect. An extremely worthy addition to any collection.
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