The Tenant of Wildfell Hall [1996]

See Larger Image	Manufacturer: Just Starring: Tara Fitzgerald, Cathy Murphy, Jackson Leach, Sarah Badel, Toby Stephens Directed By: Mike Barker Average Customer Rating:


Audience Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over Binding: DVD EAN: 8717344721981 Format: PAL Label: Just Manufacturer: Just Publisher: Just Region Code: 2 Release Date: 2005-04-26 Studio: Just
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Spotlight customer reviews: Customer Rating: Summary: If you've read the book don't bother..... Comment: This dramatisation bears so little resemblance to the book that if you've read it and enjoyed it I'd advise staying well clear of this. I found myself complaining so much I was forced to turn it off. The BBC have made some wonderful period dramas; this is not one of them. Why not just watch Pride and Prejudice again? Customer Rating: Summary: Not quite,but close Comment: The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is one of my favourite books,so I was looking forward to seeing this video because I thought what a good film it would make. Well,I was very dissapointed that some parts were unacurate,and all the religion had been chopped out.Religion was a large part of the book. On the plus side,there were great perfomances and beautifull music and settings. Tara Fitzgerald was sueperb as the heroine of the story,I think I was a bit dissapointed when I first saw Rupert Graves as her husband,but once he started acting and playing the bady,he was Arthur Huntingdon to a T. If you have never heard of or read the book(and most people haven`t)you will probably love this,but if you have read and loved the book like me you may or may not like this. When it is acurate,it is very acurate. Customer Rating: Summary: Not quite as good as the book Comment: Anne Bronte wrote a fabulous, dark novel that has been well transformed into film by the BBC. It is beautifully acted by Tara Fitzgerald and Toby Stevens, but Rupert Graves steals the scenes as the horrific Mr. Huntingdon. It misses out some of the equally interesting sub plots that are found in the book and does not depict the inner torture of Helen quite so vividly, but it does its best and it is an excellent and worthwhile watch. Customer Rating: Summary: ANOTHER POLISHED BBC PERIOD PIECE... Comment: While not wholly faithful to Anne Bronte's novel of the same name, this BBC adaptation has much to commend it. Excellent cinematography, as well as strong performances by the entire cast, makes this a must see production for all lovers of period pieces. An intriguing widow of mystery, Helen Graham (Tara Fitzgerald), moves into a crumbling residence known as Wildfell Hall. There, she sets up house with her very young son. Plain spoken, independent, and seeming to lack charm, she rebuffs the initial, friendly overtures of the local townsfolk and manages to alienate most of them. Gilbert Markham (Toby Stephens), a young and handsome yeoman farmer, is not put off by her manner, however, and being smitten by her sets off in hot pursuit, hoping to gain her affections. Soon, however, the townsfolk begin gossiping about her supposed assignations with a wealthy, local gentleman, Mr. Lawrence (James Purefoy), the owner of Wildfell Hall. There comes a point where even the steadfast Mr. Markham wavers in his belief in her. It is then that Mrs. Graham tells him the true nature of her relationship with Mr. Lawrence and reveals her dark past. Rupert Graves steals the show as Arthur Huntingdon, the charming rake who captures and seduces Helen's young, romantic heart. Once married to her, however, he reveals himself to be a brutish, dissolute, and depraved philanderer, who causes her to flee their home with their young son. The role of Huntingdon is, undoubtedly, the juiciest. The film uses the narrative contrivance of flashbacks in order to explain the events that led Helen to take the extraordinary measures that she did. It tells the viewer of the sad story that brought Helen and her son to this sorry pass. Ultimately, Helen takes the high road, when an event occurs that causes her past to collide with her present. In that decision, however, lies the key to her future. Toby Stephens is wonderful as the yeoman farmer, whose tender heart is captured by the beautiful Helen. Tara Fitsgerald, while indeed beautiful, plays the role of Helen a tad too harshly, which, while serving to alenate the townsfolk, serves also to alienate the viewer somewhat. Even though the flashbacks serve to explain her present manner, and the viewer sees her in happier days, Helen is still not as simpatico a character as she could or should be. Still, this is a handsome, though somewhat dark and somber production that those who love period pieces will appreciate and enjoy. Customer Rating: Summary: It's better to read the book! Comment: I read the book first and then saw the video. And I have to say the book was much better. Huntingdon in the video was much rougher and more harsh and Gilbert Markham was the main character. More Reviews