All Passion Spent

Lady Slane faces an uncertain future, when her husband, a politician dies. Her children discuss taking her in, but Lady Slane decides to move to Hampstead, there she strikes up a friendship with a man she once knew in India.

A quality, captivating drama series, almost perfect in every detail. The story, not particularly grand or bold, but a study of human nature, contentment, happiness, greed and much more. Visually it's terrific, nobody did costume drama like The BBC, and best of all, the acting.

I loved the family, they really are a scheming, greedy and conniving lot.

Wendy Hiller gives a terrific performance, what a talented actress, her scenes with Harry Andrews, and her grasping family unit in particular are terrific.

Wonderful performances throughout, Harry Andrews and Denholm Elliot are great, but Hilary Mason is a joy, so often she played vinegary spinsters, nice to see her playing a much sweeter part, she's delightful.

Definitely worth getting the DVD, it's one of those you can watch over and over.

8/10.

This film/TV series should be in commercial release and I, too, as do the other viewers commenting online, wonder why it has not been made available. I have looked for it now for about five years. The production is memorable, and should be remembered. This plot is a perfect one for Steven Spielberg for a large screen movie production. I can just imagine what he would do with the plot involving the lives of "senior" just as he has done with other specified groups. It would be a blockbuster. I recently have re-read the book which, on the jacket, mentions the TV series. The author is Vita Sackville-West, and given the popularity of the genre at this time, I would encourage an issuing of this tape as there would be good market viability.

"All Passion Spent" is one of the finest dramas ever produced for television. The casting was a triumph with some of Britain's best character actors. Dame Wendy Hiller was perfect in her quiet, dignified, yet resolute portrayal of Lady Sloan. Maurice Denham's eccentric Mr. Bucktrout will always be one of my favorite supporting roles. This film was one of my all time favorites and never failed to give my spirit a lift and help me "consider the lilies of the field". We lost our copy in an accident a few years ago and I fear I will never have the opportunity to view this magnificent film again.

This 3-part production is the most perfect thing I've ever seen on television - the writing, acting, direction, locations, costumes, etc are faultless. Episode two, where Lady Slane learns that Mr Fitzgeorge fell in love with her when they were young, but never revealed his love, is a triumph, and reduces me to tears every time I watch it. Why this series isn't available on commercial release is a mystery, because they just don't get any better than this.

Everything about this production is first-class. Interesting story, fine actors, realistic sets - all combine to make this a believable story. We have watched our own tape annually for 15 years and enjoy it more each time - the true test of any film. It is the finest thing we've ever seen on TV. Why has it never been released?