“North & South” (2004)

North & South

Brief Description:

The love story of Margaret Hale, a middle-class southerner who is forced to move to the northern town of Milton.

Date: 2004

Genre: British television serial historical drama book adaptation

Running time: 3 hours 52 minutes

Cast: 

Daniela Denby-Ashe (Margaret Hale)

Richard Armitage (John Thornton)

Sinéad Cusack (Hannah Thornton)

Brendan Coyle (Nicholas Higgins)

Tim Pigott-Smith (Richard Hale)

Pauline Quirke (Dixon)

Jo Joyner (Fanny Thornton)

Kay Lyon (Mary Higgins)

Tom Charnock (Williams)

William Houston (John Boucher)

Emma Owen (Edith Lennox)

Lesley Manville (Maria Hale)

Anna Maxwell Martin (Bessy Higgins)

Brian Protheroe (Mr. Bell)

Jane Booker (Mrs Shaw)

John Light (Henry Lennox)

Will Tacey (Mr. Latimer)

Lucy Brown (Ann Latimer)

Tim Faraday (Watson)

Rupert Evans (Frederick Hale)

Caroline Pegg (Mrs Boucher)

Travis Oliver (Captain Lennox)

David Crellin (Slickson)

Spencer Wild (Tom Boucher)

Director: Brian Percival

Production company: BBC

Based on: North & South by Elizabeth Gaskell

Wikipedia page

Setting/Aesthetic/Feel: 5/5

I have heard about this show from several friends in the most glowing terms, and I am so happy I finally watched it, because it's amazing! I loved the book so much and this show complements it so well. I absolutely love the setting and gorgeous outfits; I could watch this over and over to enjoy the background. 💙 

Characters: 5/5

Daniela Denby-Ashe is a perfect Margaret Hale. She's so beautiful and innocent and sweet, and yet so fiery! I never thought of John Thornton as broody, but Richard Armitage plays him so well. Sinéad Cusack makes a most striking Mrs. Thornton; Brendan Coyle is the most charismatic and loveable Nicholas Higgins despite the character's flaws; and Mr. + Mrs. Hale are better than in the book, while Dixon is so sweet. I hated Fanny SO MUCH but the Higgins girls were sweet and so is Mr. Bell!

Plot: 5/5

I honestly don't really remember the plot of North & South but I think this changes the story just a tiny bit. I really don't care, though. It captures the reality of Victorian England well and mixed grief, humour, and sweetness so well. 

Romance: 5/5

While I HATED the misunderstandings and pride that kept them apart so long, the last few minutes of the last episode made up for everything. I never understood why everyone talks about The Hand Flex™️; but the Offering a Hedge Rose when she was grieving the fact that they were missing is The Sweetest Thing Ever and I grinned like a fool over it 💙 this story reminds me of Pride & Prejudice, kind of like a sort of retelling! Also, either this book or Jane Eyre has a very mouthy kiss. I forget which. 

Theme/Message/Topics: 5/5

Just like the book, there's a lot of great thoughts about the mills and strikes. 

Content: 5/5 (low)

I think there's a few instances of swearing. 

Violence: 4/5 (low)

Mild violence when a mob tries to attack Thornton; a man is found suicided by drowning; mention of children starving.  

Overall: 5/5

This was such a beautiful experience and I love it so, so much 💙 

“Jane Eyre” (1983)

Jane Eyre 

Brief Description:

A young governess falls in love with her mysterious employer, but a terrible secret puts their happiness at risk.

Date: 1983

Genre: British television serial adaptation

Running time: 5 hours 11 minutes

Cast: 

Zelah Clarke (Jane Eyre)

Timothy Dalton (Mr. Rochester)

Carol Gillies (Grace Poole)

James Marcus (John)

Shady (Pilot)

Jean Harvey (Mrs. Fairfax)

Colin Jeavons (Briggs)

Damien Thomas (Mason)

Joolia Cappleman (Bertha)

Eve Matheson (Leah)

Morag Hood (Mary Rivers)

Blanche Youinou (Adèle)

Elaine Donnelly (Diana Rivers)

Kate David (Bessie)

Sian Pattenden (Young Jane)

Judy Cornwell (Mrs. Reed)

Andrew Bicknell (St. John Rivers)

Robert James (Brocklehurst)

Lockwood West (Wood)

Mary Tamm (Blanche Ingram)

Anne Dyson (Hannah)

Director: Julian Amyes

Production company: BBC 

Based on: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë  

Wikipedia page

Setting/Aesthetic/Feel: 5/5

This was my first time watching a Jane Eyre adaptation, and I was a bit anxious because JE is one of my top favourite books in the world. But within the very first episode I knew I'd absolutely love this. It was so detailed (11 episodes of ~30 minutes each) and captured the surroundings and atmosphere of the book SO well—especially the clothes and hair! 

Characters: 5/5

Jane is perfect. While not strictly pretty, she's little and fairylike and strong and passionate (and speaks french well enough to understand!). Rochester is a little bit too handsome, but he's brusque and impassioned and is big enough to emphasize Jane's smallness. Adèle (and her nurse!) is a french girl with a perfect accent, of course; and Mrs. Fairfax is so sweet. The other characters all play their parts well (St. John is perfect, but his sisters aren't pretty enough in my opinion) and overall I have no complaints for a single character here. 

Plot: 5/5

It follows the plot of Jane Eyre almost perfectly, and made me want to reread the book SO MUCH because of how accurate it is! 

Romance: 4/5

I would have preferred fewer kisses between Rochester & Jane, but otherwise it's good. (Either this show or North & South have a very mouthy kiss that made me uncomfortable. I forget which, unfortunately.)

Theme/Message/Topics: 5/5

Less God than in JE, but still a lot more than I expected! 

Content: 3/5 (medium)

Several instances of swearing; Mason's shirtless following his attack for several minutes.

Violence: 3/5 (medium)

The scene after Mason is attacked is pretty gory. 

Overall: 5/5

I lost my heart to this adaptation and I already want to rewatch it 💙 

“The Railway Children” (2000)

The Railway Children

Brief Description:

Three children befriend locals as they try to learn what has become of their missing father.

Date: 2000

Genre: British drama television film

Running time: 1 hour 48 minutes

Cast: 

Jemima Rooper as Bobbie

Jack Blumenau as Peter

Clare Thomas as Phyllis

Jenny Agutter as Mother

Richard Attenborough as the Old Gentleman

Gregor Fisher as Perks

Michael Kitchen as Father

David Bamber as Dr. Forrest

Melanie Clark Pullen as Ruth

Georgie Glen as Aunt Emma

Velibor Topić as Mr. Szczepansky

Sophie Thompson as Mrs. Perks

JJ Feild as Jim

Clive Russell as the Station Master

Amanda Walker as Mrs. Ransome

Director: Catherine Morshead

Production company: Carlton Television

Based on: The Railway Children by E. Nesbit

Wikipedia page

Watch on Archive

(watched on Tubi)

Setting/Aesthetic/Feel: 5/5

Y'all. The scenery is gorgeous. The town is perfect. The houses are lovely. The railway is beautiful. 10/10. 

Characters: 5/5

I know they're not 100% accurate. Peter is too young; Phyllis is too stupid; Bobbie is a bit too old; Perks is a bit too one-dimensional. But I really don't care. I think each of those actors captures the characters so well, and I had such fun seeing Clive Russell as the stationmaster and David Bamber as the doctor (too old, but that's fine). Also, Jim is super cute and Mrs. Perks is the sweetest! 

Plot: 4.5/5

While they do simplify the plot a little, tweak things, and remove storylines (the whole bargee part, namely) they do a pretty good job sticking to the original plot and script. 

Romance: 5/5

The tiiiiiiny thread of blossoming romance between Jim & Bobbie is SO cute!!! 

Theme/Message/Topics: 4/5

Hope and be kind, basically like the book, I guess :) 

Content: 5/5 (low)

Maybe a handful of mild euphemisms? 

Violence: 5/5 (low)

Someone throne a chunk of coal at Peter. 

Overall: 5/5

I think it's perfect. The book is still a thousand times better but I love the film so much. 

“A Little Princess” (1986–1987)

A Little Princess 

Brief Description:

Sara Crewe enters a London boarding school a wealthy lady when she bids her father farewell as he enters the British Army, but her lifestyle quickly vanishes when her father suddenly dies, and Sara must endure a life of servitude.

Date: 1986–1987

Genre: British-American period drama adapatation

Running time: 2 hours 43 minutes

Cast: 

Maureen Lipman as Miss Minchin

Amelia Shankley as Sara Crewe

Miriam Margolyes as Miss Amelia Minchin

Annette Badland as Cook

Natalie Abbott as Becky

Alison Reynolds as Ermengarde

Katrina Heath as Lavinia

Joanna Dukes as Jessie

Johanna Hargreaves as Henrietta

Jessica Simpson as Lottie

Nigel Havers as Carrisford

David Yelland as Ralph Crewe

John Bird as Mr Carmichael

Annie Lambert as Mrs Carmichael

Antony Zaki as Ram Dass

Meera Syal as Anna

Director: Carol Wiseman

Production company: LWT

Based on: A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Wikipedia page

Watch on Archive

(watched on Tubi)

Setting/Aesthetic/Feel: 3.5/5

I grew up reading and rereading (and copying down) A Little Princess, so I am a tough critic. I think the book got the setting pretty well. I don't think it did very well getting the feel/vibe of the book, and I personally think the filming is terrible (everything is so yellow?!). 

Characters: 3.5/5

While the characters are somewhat accurate to the book's portrayal, they become their own new thing. Sara is not a storyteller, for example, and seems more 14 than 12. Ermengarde isn't bad, but Lottie isn't much herself, and Becky's more of a comic side character than the sweet, pathetic book character. Miss Minchin is both worse and better than she is in the book, at alternate times, and Miss Amelia is much more sympathetic, while the cook is horrid (accurate, but so grating!). Ram Das is fun, if wholly redone; Captain Crewe is horrid (way too old); the Carmichaels are pretty good, though the father's a bit too old; Lavinia & Jessie are both worse and dumber (Jessie is much less nice than she is in the book); and the Aya is a whole new invention. I was really confused by her position in the Crewe household—she seemed to be almost the mother/wife figure, and Captain Crewe treated her more like he owed an account to than a servant. 

Plot: 4/5

The plot follows the book's plot somewhat. Obviously it condenses/removes some things and other it stretches out into a whole new thing, which I suppose is to be expected. I felt it really skimped on the message/feel of the book and just delivered a drama instead of a sweet, encouraging story. At certain points it got harder to handle because of the injustice and cruelty, which is easier to read than to see. 

Theme/Message/Topics: 2/5

Literally none, unless it's be kind because you don't know when you'll need the kindness of others... 

Content: 1/5 (low)

A mention of "magic" and "magicians" when Sara tries to figure out how her room got redone; a few liberties of the imagination about heaven. 

Violence: 2/5 (low)

Mild violence (slapping); mild verbal violence; a scene where the girls twist Ermengarde's arm behind her back until she says mean things about Sara.

Overall: 3.5/5

It's not the worst thing ever, but to be honest I don't think I'll be rewatching it simply because it's so long and I don't like it enough to spend all that time on it. My little sisters liked it though.  

“Dragonwyck” (1946)

Dragonwyck

Brief Description:

A simple Connecticut farm girl is recruited by a distant relative, an aristocratic patroon, to be governess to his young daughter in his Hudson Valley mansion. 

(from IMDb)

Date: 1946

Genre: American period drama adaptation 

Running time: 1 hour 43 minutes

Cast: 

Gene Tierney as Miranda Wells

Vincent Price as Nicholas van Ryn

Walter Huston as Ephraim Wells

Glenn Langan as Dr. Jeff Turner

Anne Revere as Abigail Wells

Spring Byington as Magda

Connie Marshall as Katrine Van Ryn

Harry Morgan as Bleecker

Jessica Tandy as Peggy

Vivienne Osborne as Johanna Van Ryn

Trudy Marshall as Elizabeth Van Borden

Larry Steers as Servant

Grady Sutton as Hotel Clerk

Director: Joseph L. Mankiewicz

Production company: 20th Century-Fox

Based on: Dragonwyck by Anya Seton

Wikipedia page

Watch on Archive

Setting/Aesthetic/Feel: 5/5

I originally watched this just after watching Rebecca and totally fell in love because it was very similar in vibe/aesthetic. I've never heard of the Hudson River patroons before, so I enjoyed that part of the setting immensely. Of course I also really enjoyed the luxurious setting of Dragonwyck and the gorgeous period dresses 😉 

Characters: 4/5

Miranda was a sweet, brave girl and I appreciated her faith. (Also, Gene Tierney reminds me insanely of Katherine Hepburn somehow?!) Nicholas reminded me of Max DeWinter from Rebecca at first, but he quickly disintegrated. Jeff was a much nicer fellow, naturally, and Katrine was cute, though I wasn't a fan of Johanna. Ephraim Wells frustrated me terribly at the beginning of the film, but towards the end I understood and appreciated him and his wife a little (little) bit more, though I still did not like his high-handed ways and roughshod Christianity.  

Plot: 4/5

I watched this film twice, and didn't remember much of it the second time I did. It's very romantic, with a backwoods country girl moving into the rich aristocrats' world and finding herself well out of her depth, while two handsome men interested in her. The story quickly progresses into drama, then tragedy, but ends with a note of hope. I liked it so much the first time—I was rather indifferent this time—so I think I need to try it a third time lol. 

Romance: 4/5

Obviously Nicolas' and Miranda's love is dangerous in the sense that he's clearly a terrible fellow for her to marry, but Miranda handles it well and I think that whole storyline does well as a message. I also wasn't a fan of the one or two insinuations that he fell in love with her while still married, but nothing happened and she certainly did not encourage him or even seem to realize what was happening. 

Theme/Message/Topics: /5

The storyline of Nicolas' passion of remaining in his ancestral land, and refusing to sell it to the tenants who farmed it for generations and more than paid for it, was very interesting. For a while I was on his side, because I couldn't see why they were any more right than he was... it gave me a lot to think of. It also reminded me a lot of the French Revolution... 

Anyways, I was a huge fan of the pro-life message as Miranda fights for her crippled maid and then her son.

Content: 4/5 (low)

A few kisses; a few low-necked dresses; a main character is revealed to be a drug addict; a ghost ancestor haunts the Van Ryn house and sings when a death comes to the household. Also Ephraim Wells is borderline verbally/spiritually abusive in a few scenes. 

Violence: 4/5 (low)

Attempted stabbing; murder; attempted murder; a man is shot + killed in self-defence. 

Overall: 4/5

It's a melodrama, but I like it. Again, it reminds me of Rebecca, though not as good, and I'd like to try the novel. 

“The Prince & the Pauper” (1996)

The Prince & the Pauper

Brief Description:

In this adaptation of Mark Twain's classic tale, a street urchin and a prince in Tudor England swap places to learn how the other half lives.

Date: 1996

Genre: British television period drama serial adaptation

Running time: 2 hours 51 minutes

Cast: 

Philip Sarson: Tom Canty/Prince Edward

John Bowe: The Duke of Somerset

Peter Jeffrey: The Duke of Norfolk

Elizabeth Ann O'Brien: Lady Elizabeth

Richenda Carey: Lady Milford

Rupert Frazer: Sir Thomas Seymour

Douglas Reith: Chamberlain

James Purefoy: Miles Hendon

John Judd: John Canty

Virginia Beare: Lady Mary

Max Johnson: Humphrey Marlow

Jenny McCracken: Mother Canty

Sophia Myles: Lady Jane Grey

Lucy Speed: Nan Canty

Paul Chapman: Father Thomas

Freddy White: Hugo

Janet Henfrey: Goody Watson

Keith Michell: King Henry VIII

Miranda Forbes: Widow White

Nick Smallman: Sir Hugh Hendon

Victoria Gay: Lady Edith de Bohun

Director: Andrew Morgan

Production company: BBC

Based on: The Prince & the Pauper by Mark Twain

IMDb page

Watched on Tubi

Setting/Aesthetic/Feel: 5/5

Excellent! I felt completely transported to Tudor England, specifically in the costumes department. I thought the language was rather simplistic and not at all medieval—certainly not like Twain wrote it—but it didn't bother me. 

Characters: 4/5

Miles was perfect, so perfect. 💙 I think Tom & Edward were both fairly accurate, though neither fully as the book presented them (specially Tom). Elizabeth & Mary were well done; I liked the dukes and duchesses—except for the Seymour brothers, who were quite different from the book and much more intense, specifically Hartford. The Canty family was well done, and Father Thomas was awesome. Hugh was terrible, of course, and Edith pretty perfect :)  

Plot: 4/5

The plot only followed the book's plot about 50%, which left me wondering what would happen a lot more than I expected to. I didn't necessarily mind it, it just wasn't what I expected. I enjoyed the added political drama, which Twain really didn't go into at all.  

Romance: 5/5

Except for the Seymour brothers trying to force Elizabeth to marry the youngest brother, there was no romance besides Miles & Edith, who shared 1 kiss. 

Theme/Message/Topics: 4/5

There wasn't a huge theme, but like in the book, Edward learned to apply mercy in justice. 

Content: 4/5 (low)

Maybe a handful of exclamations of "l*rd"? I can't recall, honestly. All I remember for content is a few shots of people drinking and a scene where Miles's shirt is half off when he wakes up. 

Violence: 4/5 (low)

Still violent, like the book, but not over the top. Not really family-friendly though, especially a scene where two baptist women are burned at the stake (non-detailed). 

Overall: 4.5/5

Overall I really enjoyed watching this show and I'm sad Tubi took it off because I'd love to rewatch it. Makes me want to write a P&tP retelling 😉 

“Pride & Prejudice” (1995)

Pride & Prejudice 

Brief Description:

While the arrival of wealthy gentlemen sends her marriage-minded mother into a frenzy, willful and opinionated Elizabeth Bennet matches wits with haughty Mr. Darcy.

(from IMDb—terrible blurb btw) 

Date: 1995

Genre: British television period drama serial adaptation

Running time: 5 hours 45 minutes 

Cast: 

Jennifer Ehle: Elizabeth

Colin Firth: Darcy

Adrian Lukis: Wickham

Alison Steadman: Mrs. Bennet

Benjamin Whitrow: Mr. Bennet

David Bamber: Mr. Collins

Susannah Harker: Jane

Julia Sawalha: Lydia

Polly Maberly: Kitty

Lucy Briers: Mary

Crispin Bonham-Carter: Bingley

Lucy Scott: Charlotte

Anna Chancellor: Miss Bingley

Lucy Robinson: Mrs. Hurst

Barbara Leigh-Hunt: Lady Catherine de Bourgh

Anthony Calf: Colonel Fitzwilliam

Joanna David: Mrs. Gardiner

Tim Wylton: Mr. Gardiner

Emilia Fox: Georgiana

Bridget Turner: Mrs. Reynolds

David Bark-Jones: Denny

Lynn Farleigh: Mrs. Phillips

Lucy Davis: Maria Lucas

Christopher Benjamin: Sir William Lucas

Rupert Vansittart: Mr. Hurst

Marlene Sidaway: Hill

Paul Moriarty: Colonel Forster

Victoria Hamilton: Mrs. Forster

Director: Simon Langton

Production company: BBC

Based on: Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen

Wikipedia page

Watch on Archive

(watched on Tubi)

Setting/Aesthetic/Feel: 5/5

Y'all, the first thing I noticed in this adaptation was how beautiful it was! We all know what a huge fan I am of the beauty in “Pride & Prejudice” (2005). While this definitely didn't have the same grandiose feel, it was still lovely and—to be honest—much more accurate. I loved the Bennets' house and the gorgeous English countryside... Also, the costumes and hairstyling felt/looked very accurate too, though I can't speak much to that since I'm not anything like an expert when it comes to historically accurate clothes. 😆 

Characters: 5/5

Ugh, the casting here was awesome. Elizabeth is perfect—PERFECT! I love how Kiera Knightley does Lizzie, but I think Jennifer Ehle captured her more as she probably was in Austen's mind. While I don't find him really handsome (sorry!) Firth has Darcy's attitude and atmosphere perfectly down. I like how he captured more of the pride than the 2005 film showed. Jane was perfection (and so gorgeous, my word. Jennifer Ehle and Susannah Harker are both so pretty). The Bennets, in short, were excellent, as were all the Bingleys and Hursts. Pretty much everyone here is awesome, except for Wickham, who is also not handsome enough; but he does have the attitude down well, though, so I accept it. Also, I enjoyed seeing the Fosters, to be honest.

Plot: 5/5

This show being double the length of the film, it obviously has room for a LOT more of the plot, and does a very good job, in my opinion. There are few bits that are tweaked, and not terribly much, either. The dialogue was also pretty accurate. 

Romance: 5/5

While P&P isn't my favourite romance ever, I love the fact that every time I read or watch this story, I always forget when and how Darcy & Lizzy get together. Also, I love that in this show there is only one kiss—and that following their marriage 😉 There are a few scenes of Lydia & Wickham together in a one-bed hotel room in episodes 5 & 6, kinda snuggly, with Lydia in her nightclothes; by E6, however, they are married. 

Theme/Message/Topics: 5/5

I felt like this movie makes a much bigger deal of Lydia's whole situation, and what a warning it is—also of how important marriage is. 

Content: 3/5 (medium)

Frequent uses of "l*rd," "good G**," "d*m*," and "for G**'s sake." Many low-necked dresses, some worse than others. Drinking; a few scenes where people are drunk. A few scenes where the Bennet girls are in nightgowns, sometimes partly wrapped in shawls, sometimes in more low-necked/flimsy nightgowns, depending. In E1, there's a short scene where Darcy bathes (you never see more than his bare shoulders, but I skip it). In E2, there's a scene where Lydia runs around the upstairs of her house in her low-necked slip and meets Mr. Collins, who hides his face from her. In E3, there's a tiny scene where Wickham has a woman in underclothes on his knee; and Darcy goes swimming, traipsing around in a wet and clingy white shirt for a scene afterwards. In E6, the minister talks about how marriage is to "avoid fornication" and not to be entered in "to satisfy men's lusts."

Overall: 5/5

Overall, this is rather more accurate, which I really love, but I still enjoy the 2005 film and I would happily watch each back to back.