Cranford

I just discovered this show on Britbox, the BBC streaming service here in the US. I enjoy British tv shows, even old ones, so much more than anything that is done here. And this show lives up to my expectations - good writing and good acting. The positive reviews say is it all - the show is beautiful, funny at times, heartbreaking at other times. I do not care if there are few liberties taken with history (and I am a former history teacher) or the books. I want to be entertained, and this show does just that. As for those who think the plots are thin or nonexistent, you are right. But that's what I love - character driven works, in tv and in books. If you like action, this isn't for you. If you like to immerse yourself in a period piece, even if it is a bit flawed, then you will enjoy this, and perhaps come to love it as I have.

Not a dry eye in the house as this came to a close last night. Absolute perfection. Never has a better cast been assembled for a t.v. drama. For me, Imelda Staunton shone, with her fantastic comic timing, but they were all excellent. A departure from the usual Dickens or Austen ( which I adore) in that the plot is more episodic and less dark. There are no obvious villains and few mysteries to unravel. More of a 19th century Archers. However, the insight into the people of the time and into social history is fascinating. Some hilarious lines mixed with occasional haunting tragedy which makes you empathise with its many characters regardless of their faults. Everyone I know has been watching this and all would rate this as the best thing on t.v this year.

This was Austen, Dickens and a bit of George Eliot all together and then some. The bad people not quite as cruel as Dickens. Class System naturally present but not as pronounced and little to none of who has how many thousand pounds and the need for dowries as in Jane Austen. And like (Mary Ann Evans) George Eliot's epochs, decisions and choices we make have consequences. There is laughter, joy, tragedy, misunderstanding, partings, reunions, love, gained, lost, unrequited. What makes this a tour de force is the Cast. Every performance exceptional beyond words, Jewels both from the women and the men. So many from the treasure chest of British thespians female and male. It is only amazing that Dame Maggie Smith or her stellar son Toby Stephens were absent in this Royal feast of actors. All somewhat overwhelming compared to the mediocrity of performance served up from Hollywood. Of Dame Judi Dench one could wax lyrical without end. However, Dame Eileen Atkins as always profound, who has now a career of nearly 50 years, as actress, writer, creator of television and theatre productions and is so extraordinary that adjectives do not suffice. To leave any name out is an injustice but in this space necessary. Francesca Annis' performance must be mentioned not only for its perfection but for her continued beauty and ethereal quality that mesmerises and haunts the spectator. More than 30 years I have rejoiced each time I have seen her. This production is among the finest of what BBC can do. It is rich beyond measure in its script, direction, decor and costume. Visually and Intellectually a Feast.

First, I'm a big Elizabeth Gaskell fan. I had just reread Cranston last winter...so starting this series, I was really confused and frankly worried about the age of my brain...until I realized that the plot was an amalgamation of three different Gaskill stories. I'm not such a purest that it bothered other than not being aware of it at the onset.

Actually, I was just grateful that anyone was paying attention to Elizabeth Gaskill in the first place. No doubt there are those of us who adore Jane Austen but she always gets all the attention in movies and TV, what with the oodles of remakes and re releases and her immense popularity. But Gaskill is just down right hilarious to read...so hurray for the old new comer!

There's a wealth of material here and BBC put a lot of effort and time into making this a worthwhile production. I agree that the music was really sappy, but the script and the fine acting made up for it. Of course the costuming was fabulous! There were a lot of belly laughs surrounding the escapades of the ladies of Cranford...Mrs Forrester's cow, the misbegotten meaning behind gifts and letters, hair dying, much gossip, of course...even lace eating cats! As character would demand, Eileen Atkins was a tour de force as Miss Deborah...in fact, the entire cast was astounding! All together a remarkable entertaining miniseries!

"Cranford" is the type of drama, in writing (starts with a novel), acting and directing that the British do so well, a period piece that runs the viewer through the gamut of emotions -- frustration, anger, joy, relief, etc. -- in reaction to oh-so-subtle variations of human behavior, by illustrating the mores of the time, from quaint to maddening by modern standards on one hand, to the human generosity which defies them on the other.

As befit the greatest tales, there are several main characters with deftly interwoven stories here, so one must look elsewhere beyond these comments for knowledge of the characters and plot; but let me conclude by saying that "Cranford" has more HEART than any piece I've seen in quite some time. Shown as a "Masterpiece Classic" on America's PBS network, "Cranford" truly, truly, truly lived up to the Masterpiece moniker, with a capital M.