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List Price: $34.98 | | Label: BBC Warner
Salesrank: 425
Released: May 20, 2008 |
| Our Price: $22.95 |
| Used Price: $23.25 |
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MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
The BBC drama series adapted from Mary Gaskells classic novels of small town gossip secrets and romance. 1842. Cranford a market town in the North West of England is a place governed by etiquette custom and above all an intricate network of ladies. It seems that life has always been conducted according to their social rules but Cranford is on the cusp of change? For spinsters Deborah Jenkyns the arbiter of correctness in Cranford and Matty her demurring sister the town is a hub of intrigue - a handsome new doctor Frank Harrison from London has arrived; a retired Captain and his daughters have moved in to a house opposite and the preparations for Lady Ludlows garden party are underway. Everyone - from charming rogue Dr Marshland to mean Mrs Jamieson and her lap dog talks and is talked about behind closed doors. The town also has its secrets which it slowly reveals: Mattys encounter with an old flame at the garden party; Lady Ludlows gardener Mr Carter teaching a gypsy lad to read and write; the wild expectations of the May Day celebrations and - news that shakes the town when it is revealed - a railway line from Manchester is coming to Cranford.Running Time: 295 min.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: TELEVISION/BBC UPC: 883929012404 Manufacturer No: 1000037442
Description of Cranford:
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
Cranford Reviews:
Exceptional movie, I did not want it to end! 
2008-10-09 - If you like Jane Austin movies, BBC period movies...then you will love this movie. There are many story lines going on at the same time in the town of Cranford. There are many characters that you grow to love, and some that you love instantly. It is a 5 part series, that you wish would not end. It is clean, which I appreciate.
Spoiler alert: One of the story lines is a new Doctor coming to town to help the already established town Doctor. He is new, has new medical techniques and ideas. So there are many medical scenes. Where the movie is clean I would not recommend it for children under 10. There is a broken arm where you see the bone protruding, an amputation where you don't actually see it but you see the big saw and you hear it. There are many sad deaths in the movie...sad because you have come to love them and want their story line to keep going.
There are many funny parts that had me rolling and I have to say some I did not catch until the second time I watched it. There are many happy parts to the movie and it does have a great happy ending!! It makes you yearn for a small town setting, and for life long friendships that are there through good times and bad times.
I loved this movie and hope they keep making more like it!!
Cranford Mini Series
2008-10-05 - I just love these BBC dramas. I can escape to a world that's quiet, refined and proper. And make it back in time to use all the luxuries of the modern age.
This is a great cast of actors and actresses. Very well made.
Love old fashioned movies
2008-09-25 - I loved this movie and would recommend it to anyone who likes the old fashioned kinda of movies.
Wonderful Cranford!
2008-09-23 - I admit I am a sucker for British period dramas anyway, but Cranford is especially charming. The story is multi-faceted and never weakens at any point. Of course, Judi Dench leads the lovely cast with her inimitable style.
Better than Jane Austen?
2008-09-09 - This is an exceptional series, one that any Jane Austen fan should see. We liked it so much, it was too hard to let it end, so we bought the original book.
