FemaleFirst.co.uk: DVD: Cranford : Complete BBC Series [2007] [DVD]

Cranford : Complete BBC Series [2007] [DVD]
enlarge	Director: Simon Curtis Actors: Judi Dench, Philip Glenister, Francesca Annis, Michael Gambon, Lesley Manville Studio: 2 Entertain Video Category: DVD List Price: ~~£19.99~~ Buy New: £5.25 as of 23/11/2009 02:05 GMT details You Save: £14.74 (74%) New (20) Used (10) from £4.25 Seller: onepeecd Rating: 76 reviews Sales Rank: 169 Format: PAL, Colour, Dolby Languages: English (Subtitles For The Hearing Impaired), English (Original Language) Rating: Parental Guidance Region: 2 Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 Number Of Discs: 2 Running Time: 275 Minutes Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2 Dimensions (in): 7.4 x 5.4 x 0.6 EAN: 5014503254322 ASIN: B000Z1TYT2 Theatrical Release Date: 2007 Release Date: February 11, 2008 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days


Similar Items: Lark Rise to Candleford: Complete BBC Series 1 [2008] [DVD] North And South : Complete BBC Series [DVD] Wives And Daughters [DVD] [1999] Sense Sensibility : Complete BBC Series [2008] [DVD] Bleak House - BBC (3 Disc Special Edition) [DVD] [2005]


Editorial Reviews: Amazon.co.uk Review Based on a trio of novels by Elizabeth Gaskell, ICranford/I is the latest in a long line of sumptuous costume dramas from the BBC. And it's a fine addition to the BBC's heritage too, pulling together a stellar cast for an involving, highly enjoyable series that's well worth picking up on DVD. P The key asset ICranford/I has in its corner is that aforementioned cast. It's lead by the marvellous Dame Judi Dench, and she's in fine company alongside Dame Eileen Atkins, Francesca Annis, Michael Gambon, Julia Sawalha and Imelda Staunton. They're just some of the residents of ICranford/I in the 1840s, a town in the north of England on the verge of potentially dramatic changes. P In the midst of the general feeling of unrest comes a new Doctor, Frank Harrison (played by Simon Woods). His presence further unsettles matters, thanks to his appeal to the town's female contingent, and also his differing methods. From here, ICranford/I goes on to deliver an engrossing cocktail of humour, emotion and raw drama that's quite brilliantly put together. P ICranford/I is, ultimately, the kind of lavish production that we've come to know and admire from the BBC. It's a very good drama, spread across five episodes, that simply leaves you thirsting for the next time the corporation unlocks the costume cupboard. That time can't come soon enough. --IJon Foster/I

Customer Reviews: Showing reviews 1-5 of 76 1 2 3 4 5 6 ...16 Next » Period drama at its best! December 3, 2007 M Edwards (United Kingdom) 130 out of 131 found this review helpful The thing I love about Cranford is that it gives you a valuable insight into the lives of a whole cross section of society from the struggling working class to the aristocracy and everything inbetween. This is very rare as most period dramas would tend to focus on just one main family or storyline, but here you have various characters, families and friends from all walks of life and each of them fascinating in their own way. The scenes and costumes are raw and realistic, the acting outstanding, transporting you into their lives and situations. It is period drama in the best sense of the word as there is a fair dose of tragedy and sadness. This however, is well balanced by some very humorous portrayals and scenarios, as well as some wonderful romances and the joy of life in the Cranford community! All in all, a very worthwhile purchase with a magnificent cast and brilliant depiction of how life used to be in England! The Best Period Drama - possibly ever! December 23, 2007 C. Quin (Surrey, England) 148 out of 150 found this review helpful we avoided watching Cranford at first - thought it would just be another of those irritating adaptations which are either one long cliche and/or look like a Laura Ashley catalogue come to life. The last thing we expected was to watch all five episodes back-to-back - and then to wish there were more! br / br /We would agree with everything M Edwards said in his review: wonderful acting (Julia McKenzie nearly had me sobbing in the last episode), interesting insights into life in the early 1840's, a real cross-section of society into whose lives you gazed (servants were not just 'seen but not heard' as in so many period dramas but allowed lives of their own), real comic moments, an excellent balance of the sad/tragic v happy/comic - all of which helped you to see the characters as real people you could meet today as opposed to fictitious individuals frozen in time. br / br /We loved the way 'retail therapy' was as alive and well in 1843 as it is today, how the worries about the coming of the railway echoes our concerns about how use of the Internet and/or immigration will change our society ... you could really identify with the characters' reaction to the events of their day (which, thankfully, were to the foreground in this production and not just a background rumble as they so often are). And boy did this production make you give thanks for pain killers of all descriptions! And for electric light, running water, contact lenses, antiseptics ... br / br /Cranford reminds us that people are much the same down the ages - we just worry about different things. We may not celebrate May Day as the Cranfordites did - and may therefore not come together as communities as they did - but most of us still feel for neighbours when they suffer grief or misfortune ... and smile when we see a wedding or hear that a baby is expected. We want life to go on. We know that it won't go on unchanged but we also know, like the villagers of Cranford knew, that it will be all the easier to accept the change if we pull together. A period drama with some fun! January 15, 2008 Brida (Worcs) 42 out of 42 found this review helpful I began watching this series not really knowing what to expect. CRANFORD seemed to be an unusual period drama, as the focus was definitely on women. The nature of the small town, which is predominately populated by women, demands that there be enough to hold the attention of the audience whilst not descending into something that is totally unbelieveable or twee. What you get is a rather unique period drama in which there is plenty of the usual dosage of propriety and romance, but also a lot of fun too. br /The cast are brilliant - Dame Judi Dench is, as always, marvellous. But the supporting cast are also bery good at bringing this rather strange little town to life. As you watch their lives unfolding, you cannot help but empathise when their lives are threatened by the proposal of a new railway. Whilst some see it as progress, others are dubious as to how it shall affect their life and tranquility. As any good period dramas must, this works in showing that, although our modern day concerns may be very different, when you come down to it all it shows that no matter what age you live in, there shall inevitably be something to threaten life as you know it. br /CRANFORD is a charming drama. I would recommend it to anyone. Cranford-- wonderful place! March 16, 2008 Kendra 23 out of 23 found this review helpful I ordered this from Amazon UK to be able to view this prior to its U.S. release date. I was not disappointed! Sadly, I had to watch it by myself because my husband didn't think he'd like it. He would have been wrong, by the way. It was exquisite in every way. br / br /I watched it over 2 nights. It's a 5 hour miniseries and it is broken up into five 1 hour-long episodes. br / br /The first 3 hours were very very good. Excellent, even. But the last 2 hours were absolutely perfect. br / br /In Cranford, we meet many of its residents with most of the focus on 2 spinster sisters and their surrounding friends and relatives. Everyone is kind here and look out for their neighbors and generally want to live correctly and do the right thing. Their village has been like this for ages and the citizens have all known eachother since birth. It is an idyllic place and a happy place. They welcome new residents, too, with every bit of friendliness. br / br /Cranford has existed in the same way for years, even though times are changing. A railroad may come through the town and most residents are against this type of change. For with the positive changes-- such as information, goods, and knowledge, there would also be negative changes-- more transients, less safety, etc. br / br /The intertwined story lines here involve the two sisters, class distinctions, entitlements and expectations, a very funny love triangle, and accepting change and modernity. br / br /One of the best stories involves the young son of a poacher (one who kills animals on others' land). The manager of the aristocrat's large estate takes the young boy under his wing and wants to teach him to read and write. The Lady of the estate finds out and believes that those of this underclass should not attempt to learn skills outside their "class". Maybe worse, the boy's father finds out of the boy's desire to read and also disapproves. We find out later that the Lady isn't cold-hearted. On the contrary. She's kind-hearted and full of pain, yet it's difficult for her to recognize the times are changing and that some of her ways must change, too. br / br /When a new handsome doctor moves to town, he immediately falls for Sophy. Sophy returns his admiration, yet so do 2 others who misunderstand his general kindness for more romantic intentions. This culminates in expected confusion, but the outcome is happy at the end. br / br /Those watching Cranford from the beginning may take it to be an old-fashioned chick-flick. It's really not, though. It does focus on the women of Cranford more than the men, but the stories depicted cross gender lines. Change-- industrialization-- is the antagonist here, along with fear of change. However, as new medical practices save several lives, and a member of the trade class saves a member of the Upper class, it's also obvious that change, by itself, isn't bad. It can be positive for everyone involved. br / br /This is a fantastic series. The only disappointment was that it was only five hours! I definitely could have watched another few episodes with the same interest these five held. Beautifully acted, filmed, and scored. The entire film was thoroughly enjoyable. Fine weave April 27, 2008 W. Hamilton (Sydney, Australia) 14 out of 14 found this review helpful This a triumph for all concerned. Quality through and through, right down to its boots (and the cat in one). Andrew Davies, scriptwriter on "Wives and Daughters", realised Elizabeth Gaskell's important creative legacy: she told us HOW people lived 140 years ago - their food, carriages, clothes, finances, fears, prejudices and funny bones - without the Dickensian filter of caricature. Sue Birtwhistle and Co. have created a new story from Gaskell fragments that is completely true to the strength and spirit of her. Unusual is the focus on the lives of mainly older women living without men. This may seem, at first glance, a modern feminist fancy. But war, illness, family and social impediments, and choice, produced many a spinster and widow in those days, and if Cranford seems somewhat overstocked with them, well, that allows us so much more fun. The story is cleverly plotted, often poignant and moving, and blessed with wonderful dialogue that shimmers and darts between the many endearing characters. The richness of the weave, indeed, is in the range and depth of characterisation. This series takes a high place among television period dramas. Showing reviews 1-5 of 76 1 2 3 4 5 6 ...16 Next »

CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON EU S.à.r.l. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED ‘AS IS’ AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.