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Cranford : Complete BBC SeriesBased on a trio of novels by Elizabeth Gaskell, Cranford 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.
The key asset Cranford 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 Cranford in the 1840s, a town in the north of England on the verge of potentially dramatic changes. 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, Cranford goes on to deliver an engrossing cocktail of humour, emotion and raw drama that's quite brilliantly put together. Cranford 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. --Jon Foster |
Average User Rating: 100% (31 Reviews) | |
| 5 / 5 | Period drama at its best!
M Edwards (United Kingdom) - 3 December 2007 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! ... Read Full Review » |
| 5 / 5 | The Best Period Drama - possibly ever!
C. Quin (Surrey, England) - 23 December 2007 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! 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. 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 ... 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.... Read Full Review » |
| 5 / 5 | Ahh, just perfect!
Meerkat (Dereham, Norfolk) - 4 January 2008 I had read one of the 'Cranford' stories as I am a fan of Elizabeth Gaskell's writing, and found it a rather superficial, undemanding peek at a society that she had portrayed in far greater depth and subtlety in her other novels. The Cranford series was very popular with the more delicate of Victorian ladies as it delivered no horrible moral lessons about society as so many other novels of the time did (including Gaskell's other novels). Cranford was a rather genteel reinforcement of their own ideas and life experiences; a secure place for a lady to spend an afternoon from the comfort of her own sofa. This adapatation has done something very clever, weaving together several of the separate Cranford stories into a continuous and interwoven story. It is exquisitely done with everyone note-perfect in their characters. There was not a single jarring note anywhere. Absoutely A* stuff. If you are a fan of costume drama - I highly recommend Cranford; it will satisfy in every possible way.... Read Full Review » |
| 4 / 5 | An excellent period drama with Judi Dench in a bonnet!!
Silverfrog (Leeds UK) - 3 January 2008 I was quite surprised when I found myself watching this together with my wife who would often exclaim "Judi Dench in a bonnet" with glee as she looks so very sweet. This period drama is very well performed and the story line will keep you interested throughout. Probably what gripped me (with some suprise) was when I began yelling at the TV at times when misunderstanding or gossip weaved it's way in, making the plot thicken. I found it very endearing the way in which some characters were so noble and frustrating with those who were so stubborn. I'm sure you'll find it quite a mix of emotions with lots of love, sadness, misfortune just as I did. The costumes were also very good and fit in perfectly adding to my viewing experience. All in all a very well written and performed drama that will have you in throes of emotion and glued to the tv until the end.... Read Full Review » |
| 5 / 5 | A period drama with some fun!
Brida "izumi" (Worcs) - 15 January 2008 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. 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. CRANFORD is a charming drama. I would recommend it to anyone.... Read Full Review » |
RRP
£20.00
Release Date
11 February 2008
Price Range
£9.99 - £13.43