Cranford: Return to Cranford
admin | Feb 24, 2010 | 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 retur… More >>
Filed Under: TV Shows
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.
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!
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.
Beware! SOME SPOILERS!
Since Z. Hayes did an excellent job reviewing the general content of the film, I won’t go over it again and I’m writing this review from the viewpoint that you, whom is reading this, have already seen the first Cranford. This continuation does leave you wanting but not in a good way. The film seems unfinished with a bunch of half attempts to cover potential plotholes (unless there is plan to make another continuation after “Return to Cranford” with further explanation as to what happens–if that’s the case, I take back those last two sentences).
While the original Cranford seemed to be light and fun, in spite of life’s obvious tragedies, this film is far more dismal. Some of the story, rather than building up anticipation for what’s going to happen next seemed as if it were there as time filler. Also there were way too many parts that were just plain cheesy. Case in point, Mattie is awaiting her friends at the train station. She has urged them to try out the train in view of the town’s attempt at progression and modernization that has been a huge concern for our heroines. No one has arrived. The train pulls up and comes to a halt while smoke emerges from underneath the train and out of nowhere Matttie’s four friends emerges from the smoke arm in arm. LOL!
What really saved Part 1 of this set is the appearance of Septimus, Lady Ludlow’s long-awaited son, and his dealings with Harry Gregson, the beneficiary of Mr. Carter’s estate. Other than this, there’s not much meat to the other storylines. Of course, there is the inevitable love story (which is always a good thing) but still even that was predictable and not that all convincing.
The beginning of Part 2 is much better with the discovery and agony of forbidden love affairs, a broken engagement, a defying of social expectations, and some of the fun gossipy deliciousness of the first Cranford but it starts get corny again towards the end.
I hate somewhat comparing the two Cranfords but I’m sure that my being hopelessly prejudiced by the first (LOVED IT!!) dashed the high hopes to the second. For me, the movie was just ok.
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.