Patsy Kensit Movie:

Editorial Review:
Silas Marner, a member of a strict religious community, is wrongly accused of theft and has no choice but to move to a faraway village. For 15 years he lives alone, hoarding the money he makes from his weaving and gaining a reputation as a recluse, a miser, and perhaps even a witch. Marner's life changes dramatically one Christmas season, when his gold is stolen and a mysterious woman dies in the woods outside his cottage. She leaves behind a child that Marner, to the surprise of the other villagers, takes into his home to raise as his daughter. The arrival of the infant, whom he names Eppie after his mother, transforms Marner. His bitterness evaporates; he no longer cares about his lost money; and he commits himself completely to his adopted child, who grows up into a loving and beautiful daughter. But Marner's happiness may be threatened, because Eppie is really the daughter of the local squire, who was secretly married to the woman whose body Marner discovered. Remarried, but childless, the squire decides he wants to claim Eppie as his own.

Ben Kingsley gives a subtle and moving performance as the simple weaver, and a strong cast gives him ample support in this 1985 BBC adaptation of George Eliot's novel. Silas Marner is not particularly complex--it's certainly a more modest undertaking than Eliot's most famous novel, Middlemarch--but this sentimental Victorian tale, filled with historical detail, potential tragedy, heartless villains, and the redeeming power of childhood, makes for a very satisfying film. --Simon Leake

Silas Marner: The Weaver of Raveloe Reviews:
A lot of story in this story.
2009-11-29 -
In a country village, in England, about 1800. Silas Marner weaves, makes cloth for a living, and is a leader in his village-church.

This is a good film. Yet, in the beginning, you have to work harder than you should have to do, to figure out: Silas has girlfriend, a pretty, young woman. A rival wants Silas's girlfriend, and will stop at nothing to get her. Everyone is a member of the village-church, everyone knows everyone, and thus the ability to do business in the village is dependant upon good standing in the community.

This is a story of people who ignored all the good a man had done, focus only on an incident that is out-of-character for him, and are unwilling to make the effort to restore a man to relationship.

When friends let you down, money may fill the gap.

A second, scoundrel comes into the life of Silas.

Yet, something good also comes into Silas's life that gives him joy.
Some heartwarming moments.

You are able to follow this good, story without having read the book. There may be more story in the book for a longer story, but this film is packed with story. It is a thought-provoking story. This version takes you there, and gives you interesting story. However, this movie could be a lot smoother, and there is a lot to add to turn this good film into a great film. This film should be re-made. I give my suggestions under the "comment"-button below; though with spoilers; so do not read my commments until after watching this film.

Excellent Interpretation of a Classic
2009-05-11 - Being very familiar with the story from 'rote' reading in English Literature classes did nothing to lessen the wonder of seeing the story played out by an excellent casting of actors that bought the characters to life with care and sensitivity to the period and the people.

I would recommend this video to anyone reading the book as illumination of the time, the place and the people.

I would recommend this video to anyone trying to understand the human condition in a time of stratification, the cost of choices made that effect human lives, and the quiet generosity of those punished by a society in which they have no voice.

Silas Marner
2009-04-21 - I read this book for the first time a couple of years ago. I didn't really think that all of the pertinent information in the book could be included in a 90 minute movie...but I can think of nothing left out.

And the fact that it stays true to the book was important to me, also. Very touching, very believable acting.

Interesting and informative George Eliot biography bonus feature is also included.

Faithful Adaptation with Good Acting
2008-08-18 - This 1985 BBC production of Silas Marner is pretty loyal to Mary Ann Evan's (i.e. George Eliot's) novel "Silas Marner: The Weaver of Raveloe." I had to read the novel "Silas Marner" in 10th grade English. While I do not remember all of the minor details of the novel, I do not recall this BBC production missing any of the major characters or elements of plot.

I also have always enjoyed watching videos starring Ben Kingsley (ex: Oliver Twist, Gandhi, Schindler's List). While Silas Marner seldom speaks for the first half of the film, Ben Kingsley does a good job portraying Silas Marner's essential character traits (as described in the novel).

Now, unlike BBC's Daniel Deronda or Middlemarch, which have an aspect ratio of 16:9, Silas Marner (like The Mill on the Floss and Adam Bede) has an aspect ratio of 4:3. This in unfortunate, but it does not make the film too difficult to view.

Also, unlike many of Charles Dickens' works, many of Mary Ann Evan's novels have NOT been made into films by other companies (ex: Hallmark or Masterpiece Theatre). Therefore, viewers have very few others choices except for the BBC version, which I think is adequate.

Silas Marner DVD Review
2008-06-14 - Silas Marner, with Ben Kingsley, is an excellent movie with fine acting and dialog, and realistic settings. In my opinion, the musical score by Carl Davis is rather soapaoperatic and not very satisfying.