p e n g u i n d e v i l

Feeling the urge upon us for some quality historical fiction to get involved in, we picked up something called Cranford. A BBC Masterpiece Theater production. Though I have finally gained an appreciation for the old, old classics, I still shudder when I see the words “masterpiece theater” as I so loathed the show back when I was in short pants. But we watched it anyway. And I must say, After completing 291 minutes of it, we want more! So we will be netflixing the others productions that are trailered on this disc.

Cranford is the story of an old fashioned British town, even old fashioned for the 1840’s (when it takes place). Cranford seems to be primary a town for (and dominated by) widowed or single older women and their work to keep things proper… Which leads to gossip and judgment and people trying to do the right thing… But of course, inappropriate things do happen! The story focuses primarily on two much respected sisters (one of whom is Dame Judi Dench) who are considered to be somewhat the model of behavior and opinion in the town and also on the events that occur when a charming and young new doctor moves to town and gains an attraction to the vicar’s daughter…





Though he is maybe not as careful around the others ladies of the town as he should be… The cast is a wonderful collection of British actors (including Mr Everywhere, Michael Gambon), but I most particularly liked Philip Glenister as Mr. Carter, the estate manager of the wealthy and sad Lady Ludlow. A great character of pride, logic and compassion.





It is based upon three novels by Elizabeth Gaskell, and while that doesn’t mean anything to me, it was surely a different kind of beast than the historical fictions I’ve seen from the hands of Dickens and Austin. Cranford is funny and light-hearted, but quite dramatic, and while certainly a downer at times, as there is love and death, crime and scandal, wealthy and poverty, and the eternal conflict between the old ways and the new ways… There is a charming silver lining in those old British clouds.

The final episode though, has too, too much drama! I was hiding my eyes and hanging on to the edge of the seat… Cranford is a great series that I would have liked to have not seen, just so I could see it anew again!