Movie: Return to Cranford

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8.5 (or 9 - .5 less than I gave Cranford)

Genre: Life

Series or set: Sequel to Cranford – incidentally, in the UK this part is known as the Christmas Special

Primary actors: Judi Dench, Imelda Staunton, Deborah Findlay

Length: About three hours, with two 1 ½ hour episodes.

Based on: Cranford, The Moorland Cottage, The Cage at Cranford all by Elizabeth Gaskell

Time period: 1800s

Year it came out: 2010

My overall opinion: Fun, though (like most people say) not as good as the original Cranford. It was so delightful to see all my old character friends again, and of course, to hear the soundtrack again as well! It continues the adventures of the characters you know, and adds in some new characters (and adventures), making for an altogether charming show. Some of it was a little melo-dramatic, but not in a bad way – and everything was okay in the end. Good overall, though Cranford itself is better.

Movie: Cranford

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 9

Genre: Period drama

Series or set: Cranford is a TV series. :) This was the first season, I think. 

Primary actors: Oh wow…this series has a TON of primary actors, and just as many Doubles! IMDB lists Judi Dench, Julie McKenzie, and Imelda Staunton as the stars. 

Length: Five episodes

Based on: Cranford, My Lady Ludlow, Mr. Harrison’s Confessions all by Elizabeth Gaskell (FYI, Cranford at least is a fun and interesting read! I haven’t done the others yet)

Time period: 1800s (when else would a period drama be?)

Year it came out: 2007

My overall opinion: Love it! There’s no definite story-line (like in Little Dorrit) but rather it meanders along, following life in a small village. That’s like the book Cranford though. I love the characters, and Miss Pole (Imelda Staunton) is especially perfect for the part. And like I said, there are SO many Doubles! I’ll be posting more about them sometime. :) I loved the cat eating lace in the first episode. The soundtrack for all of the episodes was so sweet and quaint! Loved that too. I also greatly enjoyed Lady Ludlow’s garden party in Episode 2. Michael Gambon, though only on scene shortly in Episode 2, was exceptional – as usual. #2 was also a much more emotional episode than #1. In Episode 3, Mrs. Pole’s fright of gypsies and robbers was quite hilarious! As was the Christmas Eve party in parts. I’d better stop…for now, I’ll just say that I recommend this! It’s sweet. 

 

 

Cranford

 

Author: Elizabeth Gaskell

Genre: Life, family (well, not really family, but the small town is LIKE a family!), classic

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8.5 (a high 8.5…it was good!)

Type: Fiction

Number of pages: I read it on a Kindle, but the Dover paperback has 144

Time period: 1800’s

My overall opinion: Very good, a delightful read! I admit to being surprised at how much I enjoyed it…cause I really did! It was funny and sweet. I later discovered that the TV series (which I’m currently watching and totally loving) is based on three books, not just this one. They are My Lady Ludlow and Mr Harrison’s Confessions by the same author. I was surprised to find no mention of any Dr. Harrison in Cranford since you also hear about him associated with the TV series! But the three books explain it. Great read, fairly short, and highly entertaining!

Movie: North and South

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8.5 (which is exactly a one point rise from what I previously would have rated it)

Genre: Romance, classic

Primary actors: Richard Armitage, Daniela Denby-Ashe

Length: A little over three hours (four episodes, each 50 minutes)

Based on: North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell

Time period: 1800’s

Year it came out: 2004

My overall opinion: I liked it better than last time, but still don’t absolutely love it. Yes, Mr. Thornton is handsome. And Margaret is also quite nice. But it’s SO gray! I thought that maybe that wouldn’t stand out to me so much after seeing and loving Little Dorrit, but it still felt very oppressive, almost. I think that some of the reason I like LD better is because of the extreme characters. Oh, there are certainly some very extreme characters here, but not in the same way. As usual, I found the mill scenes intensely interesting – factories have long fascinated me.

You know, this story could also have been called Pride and  Prejudice. Both characters suffer from both problems. And Mr. Thornton and Margaret have so many mis-understandings! It’s quite amazing. Practically every time they’re together, they have some mis-understanding.

I’m glad I watched it again, but it’s not a new favorite period drama. However, I have friends who absolutely love it, not to mention all the bloggers I know who love it, so by all means – if you haven’t seen it yet, give it a try! I do recommend that you read about it on IMDb or some other blogs first for a full list of things that might be objectionable – I don’t feel like tackling that right now. :P

Movie: Wives and Daughters

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 9

Genre: Romance, life

Primary actors: Justine Waddell and others

Length: 5 hours

Based on: Wives and Daughters, an unfinished book by Elizabeth Gaskell

Time period: 1800’s

Year it came out: 1999

My overall opinion: I enjoyed it more than I have before…but it’s been a long time since I saw it. J While the movies about Jane Austen’s books are usually more of my favorites, this one is quite similar to those. Same time period, similar situation. Molly is a sweet, docile heroine, and Cynthia is certainly very interesting, shall we say. Roger…a nice, if occasionally blinded, hero. If you enjoy period drama films, this is one you’ll definitely want to see. J

Miniseries: Cranford

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 9
Main characters: Miss Matilda "Matty" Jenkyns, Miss Deborah Jenkyns, Miss Pole, Mrs. Forrester, Mary Smith, Dr. Harrison, Captain Brown, Lady Ludlow
Genre: Drama
Recognizable actors: Judi Dench, Eileen Atkins, Imelda Staunton, Jim Carter, Barbara Flynn, Claudie Blakley
Length: 5 episodes (60 minutes each)
Based on: Cranford, Mr. Harrison's Confessions, and My Lady Ludlow (all by Elizabeth Gaskell)
Time period: 1840's
Favorite Quote(s):

Doctor Harrison: Nothing like this is ever done in London

Deborah: You're not in London, Doctor Harrison... You're in Cranford now.

Deborah: I mean, what will people think of her? And worse... What will be said?

 Miss Pole: There is lace at stake!

Year it came out: 2007

My overall opinion: I like Cranford: the acting is great and it has its cute moments and funny moments. There are some parts that are more serious (some characters (including main characters) die) and some surgery is shown. The overall story is about the daily lives of the people of Cranford. You could divide the story into three plots based on the books that each plot is based: the daily life of Miss Matty and Deborah Jenkyns when their friend, the young Mary Smith, comes for a visit (Cranford), Doctor Harrison's arrival in Cranford and how he creates a lot of talk among the people of Cranford (especially the young ladies) (Mr. Harrison's Confessions), and the story of Lady Ludlow and how her land agent, Mr. Carter, educates a poor boy, Harry Gregson (My Lady Ludlow). Definitely recommended to anyone who likes a good period drama!

I also reviewed Cranford a while ago at Elegance of Fashion. Read about it here!

North and South

Author: Elizabeth Gaskell

Genre: Romance, life

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8.5

Type: Fiction

Number of pages: 415

Time period: 1800's

Main characters: Margaret, Mr. Thornton, the Hales, Bessy, Higgins

Exciting events: A strike, a death, several deaths, and more

Passage from book or back cover: "One word more. You look as if you thought it tainted you to be loved by me. You cannot avoid it. Nay, I, if I would, cannot cleanse you from it. But I would not, if I could. I have never loved any woman before: my life has been too busy, my thoughts too much absorbed with other things. Now I love, and will love. But do not be afraid of too much expression on my part."

My overall opinion: You know what? I enjoyed this book. I wasn't really expecting to, simply because I really don't like the movie much. But having read the book for this second time, I think that I need to see the movie again. I recommend this book!