Cranford: Return to Cranford
February 5, 2010 by admin · 5 Comments
Description
Welcome to Cranford, where all changes and all remains the same. Miss Matty’s house is full of life and bustle. Her dream of having a child in the house has been realised in the birth of Tilly, daughter of her maid Martha and carpenter Jem. The shadow of the railway still looms but, to the relief of Matty and the Amazons, the line has been halted five miles outside of Cranford because of Lady Ludlow’s refusal to sell her land. Elsewhere Miss Matty’s friend Mr Buxton returns to town with his son, William, and his niece, Erminia. Miss Matty decides to introduce them to Peggy Bell, a young woman who lives in an isolated cottage with her mother and domineering brother, Edward, in the hope of building friendships. But, wh… More >>
The original BBC TV production of “Cranford,” based on the book by E Gaskell, is charm itself. This later production is not based on any work by Gaskell and was created from thin air and that’s about what it is worth. It is so poorly written that it ruins the memory of the original series. By all means, get the original “Cranford,” but avoid this ersatz aberration altogether!
Rating: 1 / 5
Great production, but does anyone know when the Blu-ray version is coming? The original series has been out for some time in Blu-ray. Was hoping that “Return” would be out in Blu-ray by now. My wife and I recently upgraded to the Blu-ray version of the BBCs 1995 Pride and Prejudice, and what a difference! Much sharper and more vivid image. Assuming that the same may hold true here, we’ll wait for Blu-ray.
Rating: 3 / 5
I only saw the first presentation on PBS and I am disappointed. I loved “Cranford” and I wish that many more of the original cast were kept in the “Return.” Why was it necessary to lose Dr. Harrison and his new bride and leave Cranford with no doctor at all (hence the death of Martha). A different actor for Matty’s brother – Mary Smith’s lack of eye glasses – and so many references to things past we must read all the books for answers. What was Mary Smith’s disappointment? Hopefully, Septimus will not win out in the end.
But, I have pre-ordered the DVD and I am sure I will perhaps learn to like it.
Rating: 3 / 5
Some people have mentioned that this one is not as good as the first, and I agree that it is not quite as good… Yet this still has such a great charm and is so enjoyable. And Judi Dench is brilliant as always. Even if you don’t enjoy it as much as the first, if you liked the first at all, I would be very surprised if you didn’t find a whole lot to love about this one, too. I certainly loved it, and be sure you make it all the way to the end, as it gives you one of those “Feel Good” endings that makes you happy you took the time to see it.
Rating: 5 / 5
If you’re at all interested in this production, do ignore the detractors and purchase this without hesitation. Admittedly it may not rival the original, but it is still a great pleasure. Watching Dench, Staunton, and McKenzie together is akin to watching a master class in acting. Yes, some narrative threads, as others have pointed out, begin and end too quickly, but just being in the company of Cransford’s inhabitants again is wonderful. I thoroughly enjoyed my three hours back in Cranford, and hope that the BBC sees fit to take me back again with another series of episodes.
Rating: 5 / 5