TV Series Review: Cranford (2007)
Cranford is a BBC five-part miniseries, based upon a number of novellas and short stories by Elizabeth Gaskell. The series stars Judi Dench, Eileen Atkins, Jim Carter, Simon Woods, Lisa Dillon, to name but a few. Truly, Cranford boasts an expansive and talented cast.
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The series follows a year in the life of the fictional village of Cranford in Cheshire. 1842 is the year, and progress and modernity are threatening to irrevocably change the rhythms of this sleepy, little, out-of-the-way place.
When Modernity Comes to Town
The story opens with the arrival of two new individuals to the community of Cranford: the attractive, young doctor Frank Harrison (Simon Woods), fresh from medical school with many new ideas and practices, and the young, determined, would-be writer Mary Smith (Lisa Dillon), who is fighting for her independence.
Much of the series’ focus is on a core group of middle-aged/elderly women – spinsters and widows – who are the tradition bearers of the community, its moral compass, as well as its gossips. The leader of this group of single women is the well-respected Deborah Jenkyns (Eileen Atkins), the never-married eldest daughter of the village’s former pastor. She is propriety personified, dishing out advice and morality liberally. She lives with her spinster sister Matty (Judi Dench), an affable and flighty creature often deferring to her older sister’s pronouncements and decrees and wishes. Mary Smith stays with them; she is the daughter of an old, now deceased friend.
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The Jenkyns sisters have something of a quorum of cohorts in Cranford, including: Octavia Pole (Imelda Staunton), gossipmonger extraordinaire, the Honourable Mrs. Jamieson (Barbara Flynn), a widowed aristocrat with airs, the spinster Tomkinson sisters (Deborah Findlay and Selina Griffiths), and the gentle, cow-loving Mrs. Forrester (Julie McKenzie). Thrown into this mix is an independent female milliner, a dutiful daughter with martyr tendencies, an angelically lovely vicar’s daughter, a maid with a forbidden love affair, a grand Lady of the nearby Hanbury Court with very decided opinions, and on it goes.
The handsome eligible doctor sends many hearts aflutter, even those spinster ones. There’re pushes for education for all – girls and boys – and even from the poorest social classes. And the railway, yes, the railway is hoping to make its way to Cranford. Progress is coming. Changes are in the air.
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A Year in the Life of Cranford
Cranford is a study of a village on the cusp of change. I’m not going to spoil all the plotlines here, but there are all the ups and downs of life. New friendships are forged just as fissures abound. There are misunderstandings, hurt feelings, loves lost and loves gained. There is pettiness and silliness and beauty and death, lots of death. Money is lost and gained. Tragedy strikes multiple times. Hopes are dashed. Tears will flow. And still, Cranford and its inhabitants survive and love and laugh and muddle along.
You will laugh and cry and sigh. I certainly did.
A Veritable Who’s Who of British Period Drama Thespians
Cranford teems with faces familiar to fans of British period drama, which means that you find yourself remarking: Oh, it’s Willoughby (S&S 1995)! And there’s Mr. Bingley (P&P 2005)! And Lydia Bennett (P&P 1995)! And isn’t that Charlotte Lucas (P&P 2005)? Oh my, but that’s St. John Rivers (Jane Eyre 2006). And Mr. Carson (Downton Abbey) is here too. Squire Hamley (Wives & Daughters 1999)? Why yes, it is him. Oh, and wasn’t she also in Wives and Daughters, and her too? Isn’t that John Ridd’s mum (Lorna Doone 2001)?! And isn’t that Margaret Hale’s mum (North & South 2004)?! And on it goes. Many recognizable faces of many fine, fine actors.
The acting in Cranford is decidedly topnotch. Dame Judi Dench is a formidable presence. Eileen Atkins is award-winningly captivating. The young Alex Etel shines. Michael Gambon steals every scene he’s in. Simon Woods charms. Imelda Staunton amuses. Jim Carter delights. Lisa Dillon is a revelation. Philip Glenister is wonderful. Indeed, the entire cast is truly impressive. Major or minor roles, all pull their weight. It’s good stuff!
See Cranford! It will not disappoint. It’s a gem of a period piece on community.
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Content Note: Rated PG.
Where to Watch: You can stream Cranford on Amazon Prime and BritBox. The series is also available to rent/and or buy on Amazon Video, iTunes, Vudu and DVD.
Photo Credits: BBC.
OVERALL RATING
“The stuff that dreams are made of.”
ROMANCE RATING
“In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My
feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me
to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.”
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This is a favorite series that my mom, sister and I revisit over and over. There is just so much to love. Cranford does a good job of balancing the humor and tragedy. And there are some scenes branded in my mind, among them Ms. Pole’s “birdcage” and the cow who wears pajamas.