Under the Greenwood Tree

I normally approach Hardy adaptations with extreme caution as they have the ability to tarnish the brightest of moods. I read some of the previews and persuaded myself to give it a go. To my joy and astonishment this was a fantastic Christmas treat which the reviewer above clearly failed to understand. Whoever wrote it has clearly no real authority on Hardy whatsoever. The pages of the novel came to light perfectly on the small screen. Hawes was a perfect Ms Day, playing delightfully and genially into the audience's hand. However, for me the performance that stole the show was Pemberton playing a fantastically funny Shiner. He portrayed it with both depth and humour and lit up the screen every time he graced it. The scenery was stunning, the plot had depth and kept me and my family gripped throughout. I thoroughly recommend it to anyone with a warm heart, as it certainly warmed mine.

As the designer on the production I take exception to the comments displayed in the ALstubbino review of "Under the Greenwood Tree". I can tell the writer of the last review that great care and extensive research was undertaken to achieve the sets and decor on the production, down to the smallest detail. I don't know what or where or how he/she has based their negative opinion perhaps they would like to enlighten us all as to where we went wrong!!. I enjoyed the production and for a TV drama think the production value and direction excellent. Under the greenwood tree is a fine adaptation of the original Hardy novel , not the novel itself, and as a TV drama stands up well, I would recommend it to anyone as a good family film.

I wasn't going to watch this, as although I'm a fan of Thomas Hardy,most of his stories have an unhappy ending,and i thought for Boxing Day i wanted to watch something cheery.I was really delighted as the drama was lovely from beginning to end,and it did have the ending you wanted to see.A lot of thought went into this drama,the costumes,the class stereotypes were well presented,it really put you in touch with how people lived in those days and their strange customs.The script was well written and the acting first rate.I have never read this book,but i have read others by Thomas Hardy,and it seems to me that here he has stuck to a much simpler story,without getting carried away with his pen or quill as he some times did,although that is just my opinion.I hope there will be many more dramas like this on TV,i thought this was an excellent choice to show on boxing day,i don't know how any one could have found fault in it,okay so it may not have been accurate to the book,but then what dramas are 100% accurate to the books.I think most people would believe this was a nice story to watch at Christmas.

Overall I liked this film: it was visually beautiful and the story was enthralling. The one criticism I have, and it is a big one, is that Keeley Hawes is miscast as Fancy Day. She is too old and world-wise. I understand she was born in 1977, which would make her 29 when playing the part. Hardy describes Fancy as "a young girl","oscillating between courage and shyness". At times the lines around Hawes' eyes and mouth give away her age, but the main failure is that she comes across as a self-assured, mature woman rather than an uncertain girl beginning her adult life, dominated by her father and dismayed by the attentions of three suitors.

This film, although made for TV, will be a classic, just like the 1995 Pride and Predudice directed by Simon Langton. The sets seemed remarkably authentic, and all the cast were excellent. I particularly enjoyed every scene in which James Murray appeared, he is gorgeous. The chemistry between the two main characters is clear for all to see. Ben Miles who played Parson Maybold was very believable and you could actually feel his inner turmoil, acting at its best. I think that this film could be on your next Christmas present list, either to enjoy yourself or to buy for that very special Aunt, or Mother. I have watched it 3 times in two days.