Period Dramas Part III: Masterpiece Classic
2008 Season
2008 Season
Cranford
Cranford is based on a series of stories by Elizabeth Gaskell, a 19th century writer. Cranford is a small town where elderly women are in charge. They are resistant to change, except when change = marriage. This production revolves around the coming of the railroad and the changes in class consciousness of the mid-19th century. This was an excellent and well-done production with foolishness (two stand out scenes: one with a cow and one with a cat), heartbreak and happiness. The acting is stellar; an all star cast of notable British actors. Dame Judi Dench was very good as sweet, patient Miss Matty and Dame Eileen Atkins was incredible as the somewhat formidable Deborah. Another standout is Francesca Annis as Lady Ludlow, the aging aristocrat who wants everything as it was in her youth.
My Boy Jack
This is based on the life of John "Jack" Kipling, son of the notable author Rudyard Kipling. It takes place in 1914, at the beginning of WWI, when patriotism and support for the war were high. Rudyard Kipling works in the war propaganda office, promoting the British cause. His desperately wants his son Jack to join up, however, Jack has extremely poor eyesight and has been rejected by the Army. Kipling will stop at nothing to get his son to the front lines. He is determined to find a way to prove to his father that he's a man. Mrs. Kipling supports the war but does not wish her son to go off to be killed. Jack is torn between wanting to please his father and resentment of his father's interference in his life. He finally makes it to the front lines. At just barely 18 years old he's made a Lieutenant in charge of the Irish guards as they fight the Germans on the bloody battlefield.
(is that really Harry Potter with a mustache????)
Jack is played brilliantly by Dan Radcliff who is a fine young actor and should have a prolific career beyond Harry Potter. He conveyed Jack's divided feelings excellently and realistically portrayed a young man coming of age. David Haig wrote the screenplay as well as played Rudyard Kipling. I don't know much about Kipling but Haig's acting was very fine and he looks just like Kipling. Kim Cattrell, though best known for Sex & The City, was great as a mother longing to protect her son. This was the best Masterpiece production of the season. By the end, my mom and I had forgotten to turn on the lights after the sun set and we were sitting in darkness and silence with tears streaming down our faces. Do not miss this movie!
Cranford is based on a series of stories by Elizabeth Gaskell, a 19th century writer. Cranford is a small town where elderly women are in charge. They are resistant to change, except when change = marriage. This production revolves around the coming of the railroad and the changes in class consciousness of the mid-19th century. This was an excellent and well-done production with foolishness (two stand out scenes: one with a cow and one with a cat), heartbreak and happiness. The acting is stellar; an all star cast of notable British actors. Dame Judi Dench was very good as sweet, patient Miss Matty and Dame Eileen Atkins was incredible as the somewhat formidable Deborah. Another standout is Francesca Annis as Lady Ludlow, the aging aristocrat who wants everything as it was in her youth.
My Boy Jack
This is based on the life of John "Jack" Kipling, son of the notable author Rudyard Kipling. It takes place in 1914, at the beginning of WWI, when patriotism and support for the war were high. Rudyard Kipling works in the war propaganda office, promoting the British cause. His desperately wants his son Jack to join up, however, Jack has extremely poor eyesight and has been rejected by the Army. Kipling will stop at nothing to get his son to the front lines. He is determined to find a way to prove to his father that he's a man. Mrs. Kipling supports the war but does not wish her son to go off to be killed. Jack is torn between wanting to please his father and resentment of his father's interference in his life. He finally makes it to the front lines. At just barely 18 years old he's made a Lieutenant in charge of the Irish guards as they fight the Germans on the bloody battlefield.
(is that really Harry Potter with a mustache????)
Jack is played brilliantly by Dan Radcliff who is a fine young actor and should have a prolific career beyond Harry Potter. He conveyed Jack's divided feelings excellently and realistically portrayed a young man coming of age. David Haig wrote the screenplay as well as played Rudyard Kipling. I don't know much about Kipling but Haig's acting was very fine and he looks just like Kipling. Kim Cattrell, though best known for Sex & The City, was great as a mother longing to protect her son. This was the best Masterpiece production of the season. By the end, my mom and I had forgotten to turn on the lights after the sun set and we were sitting in darkness and silence with tears streaming down our faces. Do not miss this movie!
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