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Tess Of The D'Urbervilles [1998]

starring: Justine Waddell, Jason Flemyng, Oliver Milburn, John McEnery, Lesley Dunlop
directed by: Ian Sharp

February 19, 2007
A wonderful adaptation of the original novel. The sets are authentic and the characters are well-done. There were some differences between the this film version and the book, of course; it would be almost impossible to have a perfect match to a novel that is so subtle and heart wrenching; but this version comes very close.

Highly recommended.

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Smuggler - Complete Series

starring: Oliver Tobias, Lesley Dunlop
directed by: Dennis Abey

March 31, 2008
Well I have waited a long time to see this TV production again - 27 years to be precise. I loved watching Smuggler as a 14 year old, who was smitten by the dashing Oliver Tobias in the role of Jack Vincent. A swashbuckling adventure set in Cornwall in the 1800s. Of course there is a touch of romance included as the series progresses (how I envied Lesley Dunlop!) much sword fighting, plenty of excitement, great coastal locations and plenty of breeches, bodices and bucket top boots!!
My own teenagers have enjoyed watching this DVD - it is pure escapism for the whole family and I would highly recommend it!! Thankyou for bringing it back!

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Our Mutual Friend (1976) [2008]

starring: Leo McKern, Jane Seymour, Lesley Dunlop, Warren Clarke
directed by: Peter Hammond

April 14, 2008
While not quite as "grand" as the 1997 remake it has the advantage of retaining some of Dickens more comical characters and leaving the comedy in the series along with the tragedy. The 1997 mini-series was dark and bleak with very few light moments, quite unlike the book and this earlier version. My only comment would be on the casting of John Mcenery to play John Rokesmith. The actor was far to old to play a 28 year old man and when he stands next to Jane Seymour as Bella he looks like her father.
lesley Dunlop also makes for a more realistic Lizzie than Keeley Hawes in the 97 version. She sounds like a child of the river rather than keeley Hawes who sounds like she has just left a finishing school

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The Elephant Man [1980]

starring: Anthony Hopkins, John Hurt, Anne Bancroft, John Gielgud, Wendy Hiller
directed by: David Lynch

May 14, 2001
A truly special film. John (Joseph) Merrick is the severely deformed man, treated badly by a drunken, ignorant circus owner as one of life's freaks, and takes payment accordingly to line his own pockets at Merricks' expense. As the story unfolds, Merrick is finally taken in by the ever brilliant Anthony Hopkins who plays the sincere and humaine surgeon, Mr Treves, we see an articulate and delightful man appear as Merrick who begins a new life of civilisation in the care of the London Hospital. He develops and grows and is in every way, a gentleman. However, with his past treatment and the ignorance of the less well informed, never far behind him, his new life is short lived, and at the end of the film, knowing he can't lay down to sleep as he will ... Read More:

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Tess [1979]

starring: Nastassja Kinski, Peter Firth, Leigh Lawson, John Collin, Rosemary Martin
directed by: Roman Polanski

September 27, 2004
I first saw Tess when it was originally produced in 1979 and was immediately impressed with not only the Polansky film but also Thomas Hardy,s writing.
I have since read all of his novels and poems and to my mind he is the best english author at setting scenes and describing the countryside and the harsh way of life that prevailed in the 19th and early 20th century.
This is a film that one can watch again and again and still be moved by the plight of Tess.
I would recommend this and all Hardy novels to everyone.
I know that he is perceived as a pessamist but you only have to see read Tess to see that the English way of life that she lived is gone forever, and only by Hardy,s novels will future generations be able to learn what life was ... Read More:

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A Little Night Music [1977] (REGION 1) (NTSC)

starring: Elizabeth Taylor, Diana Rigg, Len Cariou, Lesley-Anne Down, Hermione Gingold
directed by: Harold Prince

June 05, 2007
I SHOULD hate this movie but it's one of my guilty pleasures that I actually love it. The fact that Ms Taylor is a bit awful brings a different perspective to Desiree, now you can understand why she's playing all those provincial towns! Moving the location is a big minus it's true but why not try it and see, you can always hide it under the bed when the Sondheim freaks come round.

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Tess Of The D'Urbervilles [1998]

starring: Justine Waddell, Jason Flemyng, Oliver Milburn, John McEnery, Lesley Dunlop
directed by: Ian Sharp

May 12, 2003
This video had been knocking around my local charity shop for a while, and I'd been vaguely debating whether or not to buy it. It was only £2 but I was just so tired of hammy, thespy, unsubtle adaptations of beloved books, which reduce sub-plots and characters to tokens and use completely rewritten, overly 21st century dialogue. I love the novel Tess of the D'Urbervilles, and I didn't want to see it ruined.

Just five minutes in, as soon as Justine Waddell appeared on screen, I knew this adaptation was going to do the book justice. Justine Waddell is exactly how I had pictured Tess and at the beginning exuded the simple but dignified country girl sweetness of Tess (also, she is absolutely beautiful in a natural way, just like Tess. The camera loves her). ... Read More:

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Penmarric - Part 4 [1979]

starring: Martin C. Thurley, Lesley Dunlop, Angela Scoular, Nick Brimble, Paul Darrow
directed by: Tina Wakerell, Derek Martinus

September 05, 1994
Philip's marriage is in ruins as he realises that his feelings for Alun Trevose run deeper than friendship. Meanwhile Jan Yves determines that the inheritance of Penmarric shall one day be his... I loved the gripping climax of the series, Well done BBC for yet another quality costume drama adapted from the novel by Susan Howatch.

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My Uncle Silas, Series 2 [2001] (REGION 1) (NTSC)

starring: Albert Finney, Joe Prospero, Sue Johnston, Charlotte Rampling, Lynda Bellingham
directed by: Philip Saville

January 28, 2003
Philip's marriage is in ruins as he realises that his feelings for Alun Trevose run deeper than friendship. Meanwhile Jan Yves determines that the inheritance of Penmarric shall one day be his... I loved the gripping climax of the series, Well done BBC for yet another quality costume drama adapted from the novel by Susan Howatch.

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Penmarric - Part 3 [1979]

starring: Martin C. Thurley, Lesley Dunlop, Angela Scoular, Nick Brimble, Paul Darrow
directed by: Tina Wakerell, Derek Martinus

August 01, 1994
Philip's marriage is in ruins as he realises that his feelings for Alun Trevose run deeper than friendship. Meanwhile Jan Yves determines that the inheritance of Penmarric shall one day be his... I loved the gripping climax of the series, Well done BBC for yet another quality costume drama adapted from the novel by Susan Howatch.