The Rainbow

Much more compulsive viewing that Ken Russell's film version which came out shortly afterwards. Imogen Stubbs makes a name for herself with a notable display of sexual tension. Shame she's never demonstrated the same features since. Russells version was limp by comparison despite Sammi Davis' best efforts.

This is a superb adaptation of DH Lawrence's The Rainbow. The film is about the youth and coming of age of Ursula Brangwan. Ursula is from an affluent and artistic Midlands family. She falls in love with a soldier, has a brief relationship with a schoolmistress and struggles as a teacher in a poor school. The film also shows an industrial England that no longer exists.

The novel was first published in 1915 and was banned for its alleged obscenity. It contained swear words and talked openly about sex. If you had to read Lawrence for "A" level in the 1970s, as I did, you were brought up to think of Lawrence as a great writer and cultural icon. His writings about sexual desire and the British class system were considered significant and relevant. Although his books are beautifully written, his cynical world view and socialism seem less important today. Lawrence's obsession with sex is also a little creepy. But his characters are interesting and this film is worth watching if you can find it. The film had a large budget for a BBC production and it looked good. Imogen Stubbs was beautiful as Ursula.

I remember this adaption quite clearly and it was made at a very convenient time. It was a featured text in our English Literature exam and I recall writing with great enthusiasm about the book and it's plots! It was a well acted piece and a fantastic vehicle for the (by now) underrated talents of the lead Imogen Stubbs. It also featured a couple of actors who would go on to be recognisable through work in TV especially Colin Tarrant who was later in The Bill. The sexual elements of the story were well handled and the scene involving the seduction of Ursula by her teacher was especially poignant. Kate Buffery was my fantasy woman for ages afterwards. It's a shame that given the number of channels the BBC has that this adaption has not been repeated or released on DVD. It is superior to Ken Russell's adaption in all ways and would win a new generation of fans if repeated today.

Imogen Stubbs plays Ursula superbly in this TV adaption of Lawrence's novel. It was however somewhat overshadowed by the release of Ken Russell's film of the same story soon afterwards. This is the better version in my opinion.

La Stubbs is both gorgeous and vulnerable at the same time and the whole film is shot in beautiful surroundings with a class cast and a good script...and it has to be said, a liberal sprinkling of nudity, which in Imogen's case is no bad thing!

Recommended if you can find it!