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z hayes |
Date: 2010-01-03

I was able to watch this follow-up to Cranford thanks to a particular website and I promptly pre-ordered the DVD as I loved "Cranford" and its host of interesting and eccentric characters (and yes, I am a period drama fan, especially of BBC productions). This is actually a 2-part special that is not only inspired by the original Cranford, but also two other stories by author Elizabeth Gaskell, i.e. "The Moorland Cottage", and also "The Cage at Cranford", see Three Tales of Cranford: Cranford, The Cage at Cranford, and The Moorland Cottage. Besides the familiar and beloved cast of the original Cranford such as Miss Matty (Dame Judi Dench), Miss Pole (Imelda Staunton), Mrs Forrester (Julia McKenzie), Miss Tomkinson (Deborah Findlay), etc. several new characters are introduced, such as Lady Glenmire (played by Celia Imrie), and the conjuror Signor Brunoni(Tim Curry).

The first part is set in summer 1844 - it has been two years since dear Miss Matty (Dame Judi Dench in another luminous portrayal) lost her beloved sister Deborah, and a year since Sophy Hutton married Dr Harrison (these two characters are no longer in this show). Miss Matty seems content with the presence of her brother Peter (Nicholas Le Prevost) who is home from India, and helps look after Tilly, the baby of her maid Martha and carpenter Jem Hearne. The continuity from the original Cranford is seen in the railway project which still looms menacingly over the town. Things are also made more exciting with the arrival of Mr. Buxton, a wealthy widower who lives with his ward Erminia (Michelle Dockery) and his son William (Tom Hiddleston who is quite the eye candy). Life in Cranford is always full of surprises and when Lady Ludlow's long absent son Septimus (Rory Kinnear) arrives, things take unexpected turns, precipitated by a tragedy in the family. The old tensions are there - especially between those that are against the railroad project and those ,like Captain Brown and young William who feel that modernization is essential to Cranford's long-term survival. Miss Matty, in her usual subtle fashion, gets involved in some of these village proceedings, with some rather startling results.

The second part is set later in the year 1844, October up till Christmas - Miss Matty and her friends are predictably excited at the visit of Lady Glenmire (Celia Imrie) but when Mrs Jamieson (Barbara Flynn) feels no one amongst her peers is of suitably high rank to meet her, she and Lady Glenmire get snubbed by Matty and company and it is left to Lady Glenmire to set things right in a most memorable way. Matty also faces some challenges that involves a falling out amongst her circle of friends,a serious romance between William and a young woman deemed unsuitable by his father (which has Matty pondering the wisdom of her 'involvement' in bringing the pair together), and more tragedy on the horizon, affecting the citizens of Cranford.The magic of the original is still evident and this follow-up (of sorts - it's not strictly a sequel though some story arcs from the first Cranford get developed here) is still charming and engrossing. A fair note of warning, this particular installment in the Cranford franchise is much more subdued than the original and there's quite a fair bit of tragedy - there's death (involving a couple of familiar characters who were also in the original), grief, tension, family drama, imperiled friendships, the age-old battle between those opposed to change and those who embrace the challenges of modernization,etc., but there's also romance, lighthearted moments and even a bit of magic!The comic and the tragic are seamlessly blended into the story, resulting in an immensely satisfying viewing experience. I loved it though I can understand how this particular follow-up might disappoint purists who loved the original and how well it adhered to Gaskell's novel. As for the production qualities - they are excellent. The cinematography is gorgeous, capturing the beauty of the village surroundings as well as the period details, and the score complements the story perfectly. I wish I could be so lucky as to live in a place like Cranford!

Rainy Day Reader |
Date: 2009-12-08

This is my new favorite movie, displacing Wives and Daughters as number one. I really enjoyed every character and the wonderful way challenges of life were handled. When this ended it felt a little like my new dear friends had moved to another country, and I would miss them. I do love that I can always re-visit them. This is such a heartwarming story, and if you are sentimental and love victorian era sagas, you will love this.

Tina |
Date: 2010-01-20

I disagree with the comments that "Return to Cranford" was lackluster in comparison to "Cranford." Both were equally good, each in its own way, and both illustrated Victorian themes of change in politics, economics, industry, social mores, and, most particularly, with the social order. "Cranford" introduced the characters and set the story line; "Return to Cranford" served to continue the story line, while introducing a few new elements, but I believe it was no less engaging.

In "Cranford," the railroad maintained a presence, but it was not as eminent as in "Return," since the town guardian - Lady Ludlow - halted its impending approach, resisting change to her death (from the railroad to the "no-education" policy for the ignorant masses). The noticeable shift in "Cranford" was demonstrated in the differences between the medical practices of Dr. Morgan (traditional) and Dr. Harrison (modern). Changes also were notable, but less evident, socially, with the death of Deborah Jenkyns, who portrayed the town's moral leader - signifying a slight shift in the social mores (initiated by Deborah herself when she walked with Jessie Brown behind her sister's casket - a no-no back then).

Return" exhibited a greater shift in the socio-cultural elements of the time with the railway gaining more prominence and, hence, fueling change at a more rapid pace. In addition, we see how Mr. Buxton transformed from one who, through his unexpected wealth absorbed the mindset of the upper classes of English society - expecting his son to marry a sophisticated woman of culture instead of one who was born into the station he perhaps was reared in himself, to one who recognized that it's not one's station but one's character which is of greater importance. We also saw the modification in Mrs. Jamieson, who earlier had insisted, to her own detriment, that Lady Glenmire - her widowed sister-in-law - be treated with the deference reserved for a person of perhaps Lady Ludlow's stature, only to be turned on her head when the fair Lady marries Captain Brown in haste and pulls out the Scotch whisky for the women of Cranford (my kind of gal!).

With the death of Lady Ludlow in "Cranford," and the onset of the railway, which without a doubt could not have been circumvented, the customs of the past were swiftly dissolving; however, even though Matty's temperate insight and newfound assertiveness enabled her to assist with the induction of the railway (quite progressive of her), by convincing the town members of its advantages, she also enabled a harkening to the pleasanter elements of the past (the conventional in her) both by restoring the dance hall for use by the townspeople, and returning Jem Hearne and his daughter in order to reinstate the happiness that her home once radiated. What was nice about "Return" was that all ended well and everyone was restored to some sense of peace in the aftermath of the demonstrated liability of the railway (the accident). Happily, people once again settled into some form of contented order with marriages on the horizon or having taken place, and the wonderfully endearing Harry giving himself to Miss Galindo as an adoptive son to be doted on as he continues in his studies with the promise of living out the wishes of Mr. Carter's will for the benefit of Cranford's youth. Well done!

HRH Catherine Anne |
Date: 2010-01-24

If you have read the book, then you may be more pleased with "Return to Cranford" than "Cranford."
I simply adore the book, and I read it whenever I want to visit the ladies at Cranford so that is usually once a year. That leads me to say Cranford pt 1 was a disappointment because some of the best scenes from the book were omitted (but delightfully included in pt 2.) And even more frustrating; those scenes were replaced with characters and story lines from Elizabeth Gaskell's other books.
The day after "Return to Cranford" aired on PBS I was anxiously awaiting my mail delivery to see if it arrived and I watched it again as soon as I could get the wrapper off!!
All of the actors in this movie are superb, the writing is well done and this dvd deserves a place on your shelf next to "Wives and Daughters," "Pride and Prejudice" and "The Way We Live Now."

Dennis Mendenhall |
Date: 2010-02-11

My wife loved the series. I am not that much for things that take place in early history but this series was enjoyable to watch.