Catherine Bell Movie:

The Land Girls [Region 2] Reviews:
A nice romp in the English countryside
2008-10-27 - Here is another of those little movies, that catch your attention and end up staying on your mind long after they end. While flipping through the movie channels, I came across Land Girls. I just happenend on the roll in the hay scene between Anna Friel and Steven Mackintosh. Well naturally, I stopped my surfing to take in this wonderful and comedic moment of the film. Having been hooked, I watched the remainder and like other reviewers was surprised to learn of the "Land Girls". Yet another aspect of the Second World War that I had yet to learn.

The three woman Catherine McCormack, Rachel Weisz, Anna Friel are a delight to watch. It would be difficult to imagine three more appealing women in this setting. Mackintosh is equally appealing as a young man stuck on the farm and for some reason passed over by the recruiting boards. And yet, what a lucky fellow to pass his days with such lovely and interesting women.

So, it is true that the Merchant and Ivory crowd will probably find this moving more appealing than the average "meat and potatoes" film viewer, but this movie has just enough spice, energy and beauty to hold even the non-chic flick viewer's attention.

It certainly held mine through successive viewings. I guess I hoped that she would finally step off the train at the end...I guess I really wanted that ending. Watch this engaging film and see if you too...don't wish for the same ending.


Touching, Real Story
2008-02-28 - My husband and I often rent or buy films about WWII. His father was a pilot who suffered severe injuries in the war. He married a girl from South Hampton. She worked in a factory throughout the war. Her father refused to go into bomb shelters. He'd sit on the lawn, drinking a pint, cursing the Germans. We had seen Steven MackIntosh in the "Prime Suspect," episode 5, wherein he played a hideously vicious gang leader. He was as fascinating as Bill the Butcher in that role. "Land Girls" started out sort of Larky, with 3 girls off to work on a beautifully real old fashioned farm. The scenery is amazing. The Plough horses are lovely. You get a glimpse of Joe's kindness as he brushes down one of the horses, with Ag watching. Altho' he is hard put to turn down the advances of these young women, Joe eventually falls in love with one. Ralph Bellamy has a touching role (he played the imaginary room-mate in "Beautiful Mind") Every member of this cast was brilliant. Nothing turns out as would be expected. It's a point of pride with me that I rarely ever cry but my husband and I had tears in our eyes during many scenes (especially the end) of this elegantly told story. Do buy it! I shall watch it over & over again. Blessings on everyone involved in the making of this lovely film.

The book is better
2006-07-26 - Yes, the scenery is wonderful, but the book is paced better. And, having grown up on a farm, how the heck did they think anyone would thresh grain in the winter? Where were the historical advisers? Threshing is done in the hottest part of the year, usually July.

Beautiful Exmoor scenery, early performance by Ms. Weisz
2006-03-06 - I bought this movie after I returned from a trip to Somerset and Devon and wanted more of the scenery to savor. (I have a habit of regarding all movies as basically travelogues).

I was not disappointed...the scenery is exquisite. What surprised me was that the movie itself is very good. (I had not heard of it before...just found it in search of Exmoor movies, and I had never heard of the program that sent young city women to work on farms during WW II).

Rachel Weisz was outstanding...it was easy to see from her performance that she is "going places."

the land girls
2004-07-23 - Being English, I can relate to the trauma's of this wonderful movie. It is real life of war torn England in the face of defeat.They could not have picked better actors for this movie and the scenery of land and the farm are excellant..One could really ""smell"" the farm house and it's surrounds..wonderful!!