Final Thoughts?
Dec 15, 2007 Author: admin | Filed under: reviews
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187 Responses for "Final Thoughts?"
I love the cartoon title opening sequence!
It’s only been on a quarter of an hour and I’m hooked already!
At a time when the BBC is threatening to cut back on some of our favourite dramas and detective shows in favour of yet more programmes about property development, house-selling, gardening or cookery, and reality shows featuring has-beens trying to revive their flagging careers by dancing, singing, teaching dogs to dance or otherwise boring the pants of the more discerning viewer, isn’t it a relief to see something worth watching again!
And thank you for choosing Elizabeth Gaskell – grossly overlooked and every bit ans incisive and witty as Austen!
(An Inspector Lynley Fan)
Dear sirs
I am looking forward to the adaptation of “Cranford” for the following reason.
When the news of the series was first announced, i remembered having a book of that name, with the author, Mrs Gaskell, embossed on the spine. The book is inscribed as a Xmas gift in 1910, and was passed down from the family, and includes monochrome pictures, quite unlike the modern versions ..I thought it would be of some interest to yourselves, and no doubt will encourage me to read this very old work, to determine how closely the series portrays the contents of the original copy i possess
Regards
a very engaging dramatisation – look forward to the next parts.
Marvellous, Wonderful, Loved it!
Adored the production, but why shoot on video? The pictures (especially exteriors) would look so much better on s.16, or dare I say, 35mm.
I laughed out loud and shed a few tears – mainly when the first episode ended. The acting was quite stunning – 3 dimentional characters in just a few scenes. The great trick is that I care what happens next.
Only one word, BRILLIANT
So happy I can watch BBC 1 and 2 now here in Switzerland, thanks to digital TV….what a wonderful, wonderful treat! Can’t wait till next Sunday.
Riveting drama, we loved it.
Absolutely wonderful. A gem of a drama, with wonderful actors doing what they do best! I just loved it.
Absolutely brilliant! Can’t wait for the next episode,what a fabulous company of actors. We laughed and cried and enjoyed every moment. This drama alone is well worth the licence fee!! I’ve ordered the DVD so we can watch it again and again. This is why British TV is the best in the world.
Wonderful – just the ticket for Sunday nights following Antiques Roadshow!
Superb – even without the narrator’s voice. Gaskell is much underrated – her powers of observation exceptional and her humour exquisite – Long overdue. My 18 year old daughter and I both howled with amusement and were moved many times during the first episode. Can’t wait for next week!
I wouldn’t normally bother posting on such things but I was so impressed with the first episode. One of the articles on this site talked of it being an antidote to reality TV – which is ironic, given that it was the attention to the details of the reality of what life must have been like at the time which really made this stand out. Another article talked of the story being ‘uneventful’. I haven’t read this or other books from Elizabeth Gaskell but it was far from uneventful. They can hardly fail with a cast like this one but it really was just so much more powerful than I had expected. It’s clearly absolutely Sunday 9pm stuff but a cut above the usual costume drama and I’m delighted that Sunday 9pm once again becomes one of the best TV times of the week.
Quality historical TV at long last with a galaxy of talent that reminds us what true “celebrity” is. This rises so far above the miasmas of mediocrity that fill our schedules. Brilliant – can’t wait a week!!!
Please does someone know if Cranford will be repeated on another night/day or channel during the week? Thank you.
Yet again the BBC have come up trumps with another amazing production. The costumes, the actors all perfect in everyway. I am more and more inclined to wish that those times were back again. To live by a perfect set of society rules which govern everyday life must have made things so much more interesting and altogether pleasing. To stay at someones house for just the prescribed 15 minutes and never knowing when the 15 minutes was up as you could not look at the clock!!!!! The beautiful sentiment and thought in a present of a home made wooden coal shovel, and getting lace from a cat! BBC I wish you could truly take me back to the village of Cranford and leave me there…..however I guess for now I will have to do with the series. Hurry up next Sunday. Mrs Gaskell would have approved of your works I am sure. Hurray for good old costume dramas. (P.s. Beats that Celebrity dribble on the other channel by miles!) Justin Lancaster.
Lyn I think it is repeated at 2.20am on BBC2 on Tuesday. Thats not Gospel so please check.
That should be Wednesday early morning, 2:20 AM on BBC One
Why was the drama not set in Cheshire? The setting is beautiful, but so obviously not a Cheshire village.
My daughter along with 21 other local performing arts school students, are the Charity Schoolgirls in this wonderful drama. I was behind the scenes for filming and that was fabulous,but the actual finished product is just wonderful. I can’t wait for the next 4 episodes, especially as my daughter and her friends wll be in them!!
brilliant what the bbc does best any chance of telling of the location
My wife and I loved it.
The BBC has certainly brightened up a Sunday evenings viewing.
Absolutely brilliant, wonderful acting and I could hear every word clearly spoken (no muttering here). A fine choice of actors who had me laughing and crying at the same time. The cat sequence was hilarious!
Not at all what we expected. There was great humour, human condition, characterisation, illumination of past times, tv at its best from the bbc something I havent seen for a long time. The Elizabeth Garvey version of pride and prej was great like this is great. Thank you to the bbc is all you can say really.
it was magic – I havent read the books but will definately do now.
Superb-magical–I didnt know anyone could do this standard of production any more-could have watched till midnight. Loved the lighting-thanks so much.Lovely to see some new young actors as well.
What cold, dark Sunday evenings need! I laughed out loud, will remember the cat scene for ages. One of those rare programmes that more than justifies the licence fee. Roll on next Sunday….
Absolutely wonderful. Congratulations to all concerned. I will be so sad when it comes to an end. Please let us have more of the same.
How wonderful to see Cranford on screen. I have enjoyed the books over and over again and BBC have done them full justice. I do not normally post comments on programmes but this is an exception. Well done BBC.
I sat down on Sunday night to watch Cranford with great expectations and I was not disapointed.Marvellous cast,superb acting,the hour really flew by and best of all Greg Wise!!
Absolutely brilliant production with great acting. I enjoyed it so much I didn’t want it to end – roll on next week. I’m off looking for the book which I’ve not read since my schooldays.
Wonderful Sunday night vieing! took fifteen minutes to get into the story, but from then on was hooked. The cat stole the show last night, so amusing.
wonderful production,all acting superb but eileen atkins stole the show. The BBC back doing what it does best
It is great to see real television – a contrast to the cheap and greedy stuff we have been suffering fo the last few years.
Fantastic. I was absolutely spellbound. How refreshing to see a period drama that isn’t dumbed-down or “modernised” (unlike the Robin Hood series which should have been called Robin Hoodie)
An adaptation that takes the story directly from the book and puts it on the screen. Congratulations!
A great start to the series, i am hooked already if only there was a place like that today i would move their asap, the village women are so funny and uncannily beliveable.
Absolutely superb! Marvellous acting and bringing to life for me the witticism and social observation from Elizabeth Gaskell. Will be tuning in every week. What a lead up to Christmas. So absolutely riveting about how England used to be!
A message from the CRANFORD Production Office:
PART 1 REPEAT 5.50pm SUN 25th NOV, BBC ONE
We would just like to let everyone know that there will be a repeat of each Part on the following Sunday afternoon on BBC One. The time will vary but will be around 5/6pm.
We thank you for all your messages and hope you continue to enjoy CRANFORD.
Could the previous note about the repeat of Part One please be put at the top of the front page, by the person who runs the web site.
The top line will be fine. ‘Part 1 Repeat…’
Thank you so much,
Jon
What a delight. After so much crap on TV, I hope this means a corner is being turned. I love Judi Dench, but not having her as the main character provides good balance.
I have been waiting for this, as a Judi fan and on Sunday night we sat down as a family to watch together! Quite an acheivement with all the differing programmes available. My son, (14yrs) husband & I smiled & laughed at the clever humourous remarks and were totally enthralled for the whole programme! The comment was, “It’s only been half an hour, mum”, but I said it was “a very quick, brilliant hour!”
So thanks to the whole team for doing what the BBC does best! It was a fantastic first episode! Can’t wait for the next one!
A real jewel, considering we have so much rubbish these days and it was great not to have to vote for anyone!!!
Absolutely brilliant first episode. Another fantastic drama series from the BBC. I am looking forward to the next four episodes. Please keep the costume dramas coming BBC.
Marvellous, a real treat, just what Sunday evenings were made for.
Congratulations to all involved in this lovely production.
Oh I love it I love it I love it! And there are only FIVE episodes!! What cruelty! (you will note the superfluity of exclamation marks, indicating my great distress). THIS is what I pay my licence fee for, not 24 hour info-news or dreary day-time soaps. Please let’s lobby for more of this wonderful universe to be filmed, no matter what the cost. Genius and no Mr Davies in sight…
truly wonderful,cant wait for more,eileen atkins is suberb,many congrats to all concerned,loved it loved it loved it.
truly wonderful,cant wait for more,eileen atkins is superb,many congrats to all concerned,loved it loved it loved it.
When I heard Cranford was going to be on I reread Mrs Gaskell’s books and sat down with some trepidation to watch, wondering what they had done to modernize it (ala the tudors), but it was wonderful, so true to the book, I shall be watching the repeat on Sunday then episode two, thank you, thank you may we have more.
Wonderful wonderful wonderful !!! More more more, please !
Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful….More, more, more, please !!!
OK…the best of British quality acting, best of BBC costume Drama, and it all adds up to an absolute delight!
Well done to all.
well I didnt watch the first episode: just another bbc period piece I thought and I wasnt going to get hooked so easily but I just happened to have the second one on anyway and was – in seconds. simply done, with little embellishment, a little twee (just like the book actually) but utterly spellbinding. moving, almost too beautiful (yes that is possible), and television at its absolute best: tweeness and all. bbc: thank you.
I am rarely enthralled by anything on the TV these days. Part 1 left me interested to see more, I was bawling my eyes out at the end of episode 2 tonight. Brilliantly acted, beautifully shot, a moment of pure pleasure. I love it.
Is a fabulous programme and is a fantastic Sunday drama to watch with such a great cast, it should go for more than 5 parts I think should be a permanant Sunday feature
Captivating.
So enjoyable. It moves at a pace which allows us to be absorbed and to feel the emotion in the story. Excellent production detail – and brilliant acting.
Thanks.
Congratulations on a very fine production.
My other half didn’t really want to watch episode 1, however, like me he is now totally addicted. Simply love the language, expressions and characterisations. Quality of acting is quite superb – what a cast. DVD is on my Xmas present list – hopefully it will be out by then.
Thanks for absolutely great TV – I’d make it compulsory viewing for all students of the English language.
I don’t know what Terry Wogan will have to say about the cow in pyjamas. Last weeks episode with tha cat was referred to as the Cranford cat fanciers. I have been smiling all the time since I saw the cow in its grey flannels. Cranford is like a breath of fresh air.
It is brilliant.
I’m glad everyone is enjoying it so much; however I’m not convinced. To hear Miss Matty call Jessie brown a ‘dark horse’ was just one of so many examples where the script is completely untrue to the original – Miss Matty would never have used such a term! And the mangling of the situation with the Brown family tonight makes me wonder how people can say this adaptation is true to the books. It’s good TV, but it’s not Cranford….
Absolutely brilliant. Classic Judie Dench.Love the costumes.Visited Lacock earlier this year- what a wonderful location.Come on BBC we have some great classics in Britain.This is the quality work that you do so well–Lets have more of the same. Well done.
I abore this programme, it makes me feel all is well, that a sweet type of good person prevails and still exists. To me this is what Aunty Beeb does best, you can always count on the BBC for a really beautiful, if not extirely faithful adaptation!
I have loved this program from the first few seconds of watching and I think the acting is magnificent. The are almost too many really good females but they all compliment each other so well it all works perfectly and Michael Gambon’s fingers are fascinating.
Pucker!
I look forward so much to 9pm on a Sunday night – to see the next episode of the marvellous serial, Cranford. The hour passes so quickly, at 10pm the spell is broken and normal life resumes. The cast is superb, locations are beautiful, can’t wait for next week!
Great programme, can’t wait for the other episodes
This is the BBC at its best. In a very short space of time I became hooked. The performances are superb and the language is a joy. Thank you.
Excellent TV to get wrapped up in and the innocence is so welcoming. We need more of it.
Engaging use of the R&B tune “Scandalous” for the trailers. Someone must have grinned like the cat that got the buttermilk (lace excluded)the day they thought up that one. Cast dominated by women and it isn’t about a gaol or a bordello??! Now that is scandalous!Watched the first episode twice and was compelled to watch the Sunday afternoon repeat too. Already watched last night’s second episode twice and concur with many of the already posted comments about how marvellous this drama is. A superlative ensemble cast, superbly scripted. I’m sure I don’t necessarily fit the target demographic but am only too happy to see a something a world away from the plethora of “Cop&Doc” dramas we are offered for our viewing pleasure, which are all variations on a theme. The minutiae of everyday life as portrayed in Cranford is much more relevant still – even to a native living Londoner- than all the murder-drug-sex-reality stories littering the schedules.
absolutely brilliant, I am really enjoying it. only got into it last night thank goodness for repeats, and cant wait for the next episode which I have taped and hope to watch tonight.
thank you BBc for a wonderful drama for Sunday evenings.
Does anyone have a picture of the cow in pyjamas?
it is just sheer exquisite delightful drama, what the BBC do best, i have watched the episodes on catch up tv several times, there is so much to take in. I love the period clothes and the representation of English life in 1842.
Absolutely marvellous, love it , it’s been worth the wait… please let it be the beginning of a new era of drama !
Thank you BBC! We love this series – more please!! We allow our 11 year old daughter up past bedtime to enjoy this with us. We were a little upset this week at the death of Mis Matty’s sister and the young boy, Walter (quite a contrast in emotion to episode 1) but can’t wait for next Sunday!
Cranford is brilliant. As a mini-series it’s perfect for a sunday evening and leaves a warm fuzzy feeling in your stomach for the rest of the week. It’s light hearted, superbly casted and a wonderful picture of rural English life on the cusp of modernisation. The characters are great, everyone knows at least one person like Miss. Deborah or Miss. Pole…which makes it all the more humorous. The cow in pyjamas was classic – we were rolling! Bu the overtones of bereavment and lost love adds a little something to it no other mini-series has managed before…I can’t wait for next week’s epidsode!
Cranford captures a bygone age of England.A picture book of colour,sorrow and romance soon to be dragged into the age of steam.Super acting,script and camera work.
Part 2 continued wonderfully well but oh. what a loss Miss Deborah (the great Eileen Atkins) will be. Was there a dry eye in the house? I have not read the novels but will certainly do so now – so I had no idea we would lose such a great character so early. I had really fallen for her morals and principles with the soft inside showing eventually. Hope all the other characters are staying awhile!
Part 2 as good as part 1, but a pity Miss Deborah was killed off so suddenly and so soon. We needed her for a few more episodes yet! Keep up the good work, we desperatly need to be entrtained at weekends, not everyone goes out.
It is amazing! Rosy Byrne goes to our school!!!!! She is a legend! She plays Lizzy Hutton!
I absolutely love it, it’s brilliant! Even my twenty two year old son was transfixed on Sunday night at the sight of the cow in combinations!
Thank you BBC!
Hi i was the marquee man who erected the tents in the dell for the may celebrations. and on sunday the 25 of november appeared on the telly dressed in period costume erecting lady Ludlows marquee for her garden party. as for the series thank god the Beeb turns out these wonderful programmes that makes the licence fee a little bit easier to swallow… Bunny
No one can produce a period drama quite like the bbc,its remarkable!!!
Caught episode 1 halfway through and was transfixed. Thank goodness we saw the repeat! It is a wonderfully observed piece of TV, beautifully realised. Thank you BBC, Sunday evening is more tolerable at the moment!
You only have to look back and see in the archives of the BBC.No one else pulls off costume or period drama like the BBC do.
This series is capyivating and proves that the BBC sre still the best.
The cast are all brilliant, no one person outshines the others, the star of this wonderful series is CRANFORD itself.
Wonderful BBC, keep it coming
Funniest,best acted drama i have seen in years
Congratulations.
Brendan.
Dunlaoire Co Dublin
Stunning acting, proper ensemble work with no one person over-shadowing the others (all though Eileen Atkins came close, so powerful and yet doing so little), even the children are very good, obviously the director REALLY knows what he or she is doing.
Best t.v drama since Forsyte Saga, brilliant acting, and some hilarious parts too! love it!
I love Cranford. Some brilliant actors. Philip Glenister is wonderful – not a trace of Gene Hunt and such soulful eyes!
As to be expected from the BBC an excellent dram production. Well done BBC lets have more you do them so well.
I lvoed Cranford, villagey, gossipy, humorous, loving and serious and thrilling. Loads of plot lines to follow and brilliant cast. Judi Dench and Eileen Atkins are star leads. Beautiful locations and costumes. More more more!!
Absolutely wonderful. ‘Cranford’ has everything one could wish for, humour, pathos, fantastic costumes, a brilliant cast and is just lovely to watch. How delightful it is to see fantastic entertainment without the usual quota of sex, violence and general unpleasantness that seems to pervade just about everything on TV these days. This is a great example of what the BBC does best.
Fantastic. It’s made me laugh out loud, gasp, cry and left me looking forward to Sunday night at 9pm.
Absolutely agree with Claire Hookway above. Cranford is like a James Bond movie, marvelous characters, some of which are even in the book and those that are could not be better cast, Judie Dench as Miss Matty is the character personified, as is Miss Pole and Miss Forrester and Mary (not that you really know her name until very late in the book) is perfect. But…. having the real story would be nice as the series bears little resemblance to it bar a few references here and there. I am addicted for the charaters alone so lets move on. My only hope is that the last third of the book is accurately captured in the television drama as it is delightful.
What can I say? Absolutely magnificent!
I’m enjoying the book, which I bought last week, and have just watched Dec. 2nd’s episode. Couldn’t be bettered, and I was glad I was on my own as I had tears in my eyes at the end!
Absolutely wonderfull production. Congratulations to ALL involved.
This is the VERY best of british charm, wit and competence brought together to provide entertainment of the highest standard.
A wealth of british talent and character of the highest calibre.
Many thanks. Oh and …..more please.
Absolutely Brilliant! Live in the Netherlands but follow this show every single week! Have to read the books!! Shame there are only 5 episodes… My sundaynights are booked for the next few weeks.
Dame Judi Dench is mesmerising as Miss Matty.The whole cast are excellent.What a treat.Just savour every episode!
Thank you.
What utter joy!! It is a pleasure to see Britains finest actresses in a superb production that can, in equal measure, make you laugh out loud and cry within the space of minutes. I cannot wait for the next episode.
Love every moment of it. It`s so funny. Fantastic cast – everyone just right!
Absolutely riveting. Great balance of humour, tension and sadness along with historical insights. Thanks BBC you can still do it. Keep it up. This is what I like to see my license fee pay for.
Each episode has moved me to tears. I am aware that a lot of literature is being squeezed into a small space – but the sequence of shots from the Irish Doctor singing “The Parting Glass” (maybe an anachronism – who cares) to Job returning to his family and the guests leaving the Christmas Eve party was just breathtakingly evocative – the lighting engineer is a genius
I’m totally hooked, it’s the best thing on TV right now. Does anyone know the title of Tennysons poem that was read out at the very end of tonights episode. It had my self and my boyfriend in floods of tears.
Atlast, a return to ‘old fashioned’ values! If viewing figures are anything to go by it’s clear this is the kind of programming people want to see. Excellent acting, wonderful costumes and sets and not a single swear word or innuendo to be found…FANTASTIC!! My only complaint would be, that it’s suitable for family viewing so put it on earlier so that youngsters could watch, enjoy and experience the real talent both of the writer and the actors as opposed to some of the smutty modern rubbish.
Completely enchanting – the acting is fabulous, displaying quiet humour and sensitivity. Best serious on Television for years. If Cranford does not scoop the board at the next television awards, I shall give up watching. And, off to buy the book.
It just gets better. I was sobbing when Mr Carter appealed to her Ladyship to intervene in the matter of Job and the poaching.
It is almost too much for me though – Philip Glenister AND Greg Wise all in one programme – be still my heart!
Absolutely loved the expression on Imelda’s face when the ‘large’ footprints were discussed – priceless.
Why of Why is this not on at an earlier time. This is the sort of programme that could inspire a youngester to start reading instead of playing computer games. It has everything. When I watch this it reminds me of how I felt at school the first time we studied Pride & Pred. in English class – absolutely hooked on good literature. Well done all concerned with the production (not forgetting Mrs. Gaskell of course). With the likes of this the licence fee is more than worth the money. Thank you so much for such wonderful Sunday nights watching, I shall be so sad when the last episode rolls out.
A fantastic series that has me glued to the screen each sunday night. Its some much needed relief from the Folmulaic and repetitive reality TV of other nights and TV Channels. The BBC have done an amazing job and if they did more series of this quality, in both the story telling and acting (This show really does have the cream of british acting tallent both old and new in it) i would happily pay more for a TV licence.
I should really be writing in copperplate and black ink. I have never been so excited by producing and acting talent in my 77 years, beats my previous favourite, the all day Nicklelas Nickleby of the ’70s. Thank you all very much, actors. writers. designers, producers, planners, and anyone who is not usually noticed. An addded joy is that my wife, then Léonie Brady, was Immelda’s baby sitter in East Barnet
Superb !! Engrossing !! What can you say? An oasis in a sea of utter bilge. Well up there with Pride and Prej. It should have been kept for over Xmas. It should also have been made into at least an 8 parter. And who is the bright spark that decided to put in on at 9.00PM ?
Absolutely gripping, I was totally enthralled by the tenderness of the love between Miss Matty and Mr Holbrook,two truly understated and fantastic actors. Suffice to say I have been howling for 10mins. I must read the books!
For those of you who think it is on too late, don’t forget that it is repeated at Sunday teatime!
brilliant brilliant, loved the cow dressed in a flannel suit, I do not want it to end.
I just love this series,can’t wait to see episode 4!:)
Monique(netherlands)
Licence fee, no problem, worth double with quality like this. I fear though for sunday evenings when it is all over. Cold Cranford turkey no doubt. Absolutely superb production.
brilliant series.almost woth the tv licence on its own
BBC should do these series on a weekly basis .the best thing on tv
the acting is superlative
magnificent – as I expect from the BBC. Love Elizabeth Gaskell. Love Cranford.
Awwww i love Cranford soooo much, its just so sweet and cute. Dr harrison (simon woods) and Jem herne (andrew buchan) are the 2 most lush looking men ever lol! the acting is awesome too, Judi dench is wonderful as is Imelda staunton and phillip glenister
Fingers crossed there will be another series
great program!love it
Absolutely wonderful. Acting superb unequalled on any other TV production. Costumes, sets, casting, location – all Brilliant. Absolutely love it. More More More please. Nothing else on TV worth watching compared to this.
i think this series is fantastic it brightens my sunday. i have never read the book but this adaptation has inspired me to go out and hunt for it. i can’t wait for the week to go round and return to sunday.the acting is fabulous especially Simon Wood watched him in Rome and thought he was fantastic. so much emotion in such a short time it’s riveting, LOVE IT.
I think that Cranford is absolutely amazing and so brilliant. I think that the acting and script writing is some of the best for many many years. I also think that the relationship between Dr Harrison and Sophy Hutton is wonderful. I hope that Sophy does not die in the last episode as this will be crushing for the program and very sad, I believe that this love relationship has a huge part to play in Cranford. 10 OUT OF 10 TO CRANFORD!
A wonderful series so far, no doubt the last episode will equal the rest. More of the same for weekends please, rather than tradh.
cranford is great! at last we are getting something for our license money.
I’m thrilled to hear all the good reviews but waiting anxiously to find out when we will get to see it in Canada!
Thank you so much for Cranford. It is sheer joy. More, more more!
What a delight on a Sunday evening, Cranford is…how nice to be whisked away to a time of sleepy village goings on!!….excellent locations as well..the beautiful village of Lacock is shown in all it’s glory!
Who runs this web site? Is it connected with the BBC?
The “about” page, which normally would tell you about the site’s owner etc. is, very curiously, about Cranford. (Deliberate, one wonders?)
I nearly cried at the denouement – this must be, without doubt, the best period drama since Pride and Prejudice – perhaps even better. The characters are so finely wrought and it’s beautifully acted throughout… WOW
What a breath of fresh air this programme is! its been a very long time since I waited in anticipation for the next episode of anything.
An absolutley brilliant production. Wondful sunday night viewing.It will be sadly missed.
Peerless production, inspired casting, gorgeous settings and sets, not a weak link in the whole thing. Thank goodness for the BBC.
I have just wiped my eyes and spluttered my last at the end of Cranford. What a superb production. Magnificent acting. Faultless production. Hard to single any one performance out by Francesca Annis deserves a Bafta. Totally fantastic. This is what makes the BBC GREAT!!!
Well done, BBC. As an American living in Scotland for a year I have been generally impressed with the BBC’s higher quality programming. Cranford, however, is by far the best I’ve seen and it will be sorely missed.
Though I felt a few of the early episodes left too many sub-plots open and seemed to manufacture conflict to drive the story, the final episode wrapped up so wonderfully that my previous critiques are forgotten.
–A Wee Blether
What a delight, both my wife and I loved every second of it! Totally faultless with
the best cast imaginable…. What a pity it ended after only 5 episodes, we shall
miss it! Excellent, thank ypu for another monument of classic television, BBC!!
OH dear, I’ve cried more in the last hour than in the last month and I didn’t think that was possible!I can’t believe it has finished, that I’ll never see Mr Carter again, won’t see young Harry going off to school, Martha’s baby, Mary’s courtship with Dr Marshland and how Miss Matty’s shop flourishes… It is unbelievable, how five short weeks can be so special and now it is all finished!! Please let’s start a PETITION FOR MORE CRANFORD – I know that there is more material to be used and it is such class, only the BBC can do this kind of work. Either that or I’ll stop my licence fee as a sort of strike/protest.
MORE CRANFORD and Baftas fr everyone involved, especially Judi Dench and young Alex Etel, who finally made me break down…
Really fantastic! Cranford had some real highs and lows and could have you in stitches from laughing!! Great acting from all…wonderful cast…everything was utterly fantastic
well done BBC!
Cranford, an absolute joy to watch, just riveting. Unusually for me everthing stopped when the clock approached 9pm, the whole series was a ‘must watch’. I felt as though I had been whisked back in time. It just goes to show what we can make when we put our minds to it. Please pass on my thanks to all concerned for such a truly exquisit series. More please.
Just watched the last Cranford, really enjoyed the whole series. The actors, story, costumes, everything fantastic.
More please.
WONDERFUL. My cynical Scouse husband, my 17 year old stepson, my 77 year old Mum all join me in loving Cranford. When it was advertised my husband thought it would be ‘girly’ but admitted he was quite wrong. All the actors were amazing but Philip Glenister was outstanding. I have been in tears since ‘Mr Carter’ died and left all his money to Harry. CONGRATULATIONS to all the cast and the crew. BRILLIANT.
Oh dear…so sad this remarkable series has finished…I do hope it will continue. Martin Shaw looked as yummy as ever!
Thanks BBC for a beautiful faultless adaption of parts of three novels into a seamless event in acting and story telling.Everyone should wipe the floor at the BAFTA’S.
Watched final episode of Cranford tonight…. absolutely wonderful. Scene when Harry learns of Mr Carter’s will from Lady Ludlow was so touching. So many brilliant performances. My favourite character was Miss Pole played so magnificently by Imelda Staunton.
Could you let us know who played Miss Mattie’s brother in Cranford?
Martin Shaw was the brother as attractive as ever.
What a beautifully rendered production and that child actor was the match of all the brilliant adult talent on show. The performances were so perfectly pitched. Who was the director?
Agree with previous comments that surely there is every reason for a second series. 5 episodes is far too short. We could have watched this for weeks. So many of the storylines were just touched upon. I wanted to know more about Harrys mother and what it was like to live like that. Also the Doctors storyline. There must be so much to learn about how they did things. It broke my heart to see them leave Carter to die because they didn’t know about heart massage.
Someone start that petition Maybe Terry Wogan!
Really loved the last part – although I missed the first 40 minutes which was dreadful! I managed to catch all the best last bits = and saw sex Martin Shaw. Corr – he looked nice with that short white beard! Didnt know I could like a man with a beard!
Judi Dench was brilliant in this series as were pretty much all of the characters.
I really liked the fact that NOONE wore makeup – it made it much more realistic. And emphaises the true prettiness of the rectory’s daughter.
apologies for typos! in a rush
What a supurb series – how refreshing to see a gentle drama with all the storylines tied up at the end for one. My only complaint – the delicious Martin Shaw should have had a major part, not just a brief appearance at the very end – almost fell off my seat when he turned up!!! Mmmm. He just gets better and better.
Now it will be major withdrawal symptoms with this series, Spooks and Strictly all coming to an end…….
If only Cranford could go on for ever and ever!
BBC historical drama at its best!
Cried buckets when Mr Carter died. Will really miss my weekly installments.
As a callow cameraman at London Weekend in its 60’s / 70’s heyday I watched Francesca Annis give some fabulous performances. In Wicked Women amongst others. Was it Florence Maybrick? Her portrayal of Lady Ludlow made her the ‘eminence grise’ of Cranford. Her small tragic moments of longing and towering grandeur were simply perfect. It would however, be wrong to say she stole the show, Philip Glenister and the young lad did that. But she was wonderful and I hope we see her again soon in the big role her talent and experience deserve.
This too short series made the licence fee all worthwhile. It was a wonderful piece of social history and the characters said exactly what I would have expected them to say in real life in those days. The young actor who played Harry will stay in my memory for a long while – he was equal to the likes of all the adult actors and actresses. I, too, hope that the BBC will commission a second series even if the storylines in the books have run out because this makes ideal viewing on a cold, winter’s evening. Well done, BBC and all involved in the production.
I knew nothing about these books before – but i may well read them now. I thought the whole series was great and completely justified the licence fee!!
Cast was terrific – a real who’s who of british talent.
It was a treat!
An absolutely brilliant series, which has ended for me far too soon. The boy Alex Etel, who has already starred in the movie Millions, showed himself to be a brilliant young actor. I was deeply moved. In fact the final programme aired on Sunday brought floods of tears to my eyes. More please BBC
Television at it’s best. More emotion conveyed in just a glance than in a whole hour of soap histrionics !
The whole cast were superb and the programme deserves to clean up at the next BAFTAs.
This series really was so enjoyable to watch! Wonderful cast, the acting was excellent all round. What I liked about the story is it was not predictable, you really did not know what was going to happen next. I really think this deserves to win an award. I don’t normally take the time to make comments about Tv programmes etc but I felt this should have positive things said about it. Thank you for making such an enjoyable TV series.
I have finally found a flaw in this wonderful production – that it has finished so soon. Audiences are there for the taking if only production companies would make, or more probably broadcasters commission, such rich and life enhancing programmes.
Superb! I enjoyed every minute. Were my eyes playing tricks on me – did Miss Matty’s eyes change colour for the last episode. I noticed that her eyes were very dark in all of the previous episodes, but were Judi Dench’s usual sparkling blue in the last.
Another gripping episode, what a shame Cranford had to end. Sunday will not be the same, so more costme dramas please.
Wonderful, wonderful series, televion at its best, quality supreme. No country on earth can produce such wonderful acting talent. It is impossible to single out any one person, but if I have to, Francesca Annis must get first prize. Please more of the same.
Fabulous series, I was spellbound and I would echo the requests for more series in the future. I know the book material has finished, but I’m sure modern writers can continue the goings on at Cranford in the same vein. My one complaint – it was far too short. The storylines could have been fleshed out a lot more to give us several more enjoyable episodes. More please.
Brilliant series, the last episode being among the best i’ve ever seen. The whole cast was superb, especially Lisa Dillon, Francesca Annis and Phillip Glenister. A most poignant, touching well acted series i’ve seen for many years.
I am sad this wonderful adaptation has finished. Beautiful detail and lovingly filmed, superb acting. It was masterfully done, seemingly simple settings and simple souls with a cauldron of change bubbling away just up the road. I loved the humour and the tragedy of kind-hearted Mr Carter’s death brought a tear too.
Another masterpiece from all concerned, and I don’t use that term lightly. I had visitors arrive about 10 minutes before the end, and had to maintain a very good grip on my emotions so as not to look a complete fool by starting to cry, as I have at the last couple of episodes.
Even that last 10 minutes was sufficient to entrance a young lady who hadn’t seen any of the other episodes – such a powerful drama indeed.
Had to wait until Monday evening to view the final episode. My wife was not with me when I watched it and I for a 62 year old cried buckets on my own. What a joy this series was? It was spell binding from start to finish. Have to hand it to BBC, just brilliant.
What a superb programme, best thing I have seen all year on TV. Even my husband watched every moment and enjoyed it. Why can’t we have more programmes like this. I have to say when the BBC gets things right they certainly make wonderful TV. When can we have more of the same!!
Thankyou so much for such a brilliant series. Congratulations to Heidi Thomas for such clever writing. Wonderful acting by all of the cast. Cranford certainly deserves to win awards. I too cried when Mr Carter died and left his money to Harry, what a touching moment. What was so great about this production was that the first episode was a complete joy, and it delivered the same high standard every week. The book is on my Christmas list.
I am not usually an emotional person but I was in tears when Mr Carter died. Phillip Glenister is a fantastic actor and truly deserves a BAFTA. I felt that Mr Carter and Miss Galindo would have made an excellent couple as they both have strong personalities. They were growing closer, portrayed by the way Mr Carter brought her the rare Wild Bee Orchid to draw maybe in a gesture to say sorry for his outburst of anger earlier. He also opened up and spoke freely to Miss Galindo about his past and spoke of his wife. When he was lying injured at Dr Harrisons she ran to be by his side. He trusted her to be a clerk (even though she is a woman!)and write his last will and testement for him. In other dramas a kiss or a strong heartfelt comment would be needed to portray affection but with the absaulutly faltless acting of Phillip Glenister and Emma Fielding, Miss Galindo only had to guide his hand to write his signature while rubbing his hand with her thumb comfortingly and looking on the edge of tears with her facial expressions. Mr Carter looked up to her and she caught his eye. At this point a tear came to my eye because I knew they had found a strong love that nothing exept death could take away. In my heart I then knew that he would die but did not want to face up to that fact. When Mary tells Lady Ludlow and Miss Galindo of his death they are all deeply saddened. Despite this it was the normaly stoney faced Miss Galindo’s lovelorn expression which brought me to tears. This was sadly the last we saw of Miss Galindo. I feel we deserved to see more of her. Mr Carter did think of everyone in his will especially Young Harry. He was a wonderful father figure to Harry and I give up all hope of my tears ceasing when he read the poem with tears rolling down his face over Mr Carter’s coffin. What an amazing Piece of acting. So I was crying at the end not in happiness because of the wedding and all the love gained in Cranford but in sadness for the loss of the unsung heroe Mr Carter who was a father figure to Harry Gregson and most of all(some may say potenial but I think the evidence prooves their affection) a soul mate of the long suffering Miss Galindo. This is the best piece of acting I have seen in a long time, and the proof is in my rarely seen tears!
I’m in love!
Superb production with a wonderful cast and captivating story. Had me in tears and laughters for 5 Sundays. And to think that I only watched the first episode by fluke!
i really enjoyed cranford so please show it again i only caught sundays last episode !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I thought cranford was a really good series and would ike to see another series of it. so bring it back!!!!!!!!!!
anonomas 2
hello.i thought that cranford was great to start with and when it finished it was excellent….so bring it back!!!
BRING BACK CRANFORD OR DIE!!!! THIS IS NOT A THEAT WE ARE JUST LONGING FOR ANOTHER SERIES OF CRANFORD HE HE HE BRING IT BACK HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA
CRANFORD ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am so in love with that production!! The final episode was the pinnacle of a flawless series. It had me in absolute floods of tears on three separate occasions, and yet again laughing at the fantastic one-liners uttered by those wonderful women of Cranford.
Julia McKenzie’s wonderful monologue about Miss Maddie and how she had comforted her when her mother was dying, despite her own heartache, deserves an award. Her acting was quite beautiful and made me cry. Fantastic. And yet just before I had been guffawing at the incomparable Judi Dench, when she says she could teach except for mathematics, and French, and “the globes” as she never liked the fact that the world was round, “It makes me feel so giddy.” And then her comments about selling the tea…hilarious!
Then when Mr Carter – Philip Glenister – died, I thought my heart would break, especially when Harry was reading the poem over his coffin; so poignant as Mr Carter was the man who taught him to read. I had one hand on my mouth and one on my chest, my feelings were so tender.
Finally, at the end when Miss Maddie’s brother returns with Captain Brown, I found myself weeping again.
Shall I start a book on how many awards Cranford will win next awards season??! LOL I’m guessing at the very least 3…at LEAST!
Well done to absolutely everyone involved in entertaining me these past 5 weeks.
Wonderful, wonderful.
Compassionate and wise.
A treasure and a triumph.
Hearty congratulations to the cast and production team.
BRAVO!
ravo1
congratulations to the cast
Truly truly wonderful in every way. I can’t remember the last time i was so moved and captivated.
Absolutely perfect! Sincerest congratulations to production team, cast and crew. It made me laugh and cry and I sobbed my heart out at the end! I’ve ordered the DVD already! Thank you so very much indeed and this is the BBC at it’s best! BRAVO and please could we have many encores!
At last writing and characterisation at its finest! The subtlety of emotions, the tenderness of Miss Matty, the undercurrent of social classes all interwoven into a spell binding piece of drama. Television at it’s absolute best.
Had to put a comment on this web site about Cranford, Miss Matty Judy Dench a national treasure!!! and the rest of the cast Fab, Sunday night will not be the same, I will no longer have to fight for the remote, please BBC think about doing another series ,everyone I have spoken too about it loved it!!! That comment from the doctor something like smother your daughter with affection and eggs priceless, more, more more.
Could not believe what I saw. Martin sheen is the spitting image of Cesar Milan the dog whisperer
I believe that there is ment to be a 2nd series, I was an extra on the first and there is approx two books worth of stuff not filmed
Cranford was terrific. I am looking forward to the second series. Please don’t keep us waiting long!
i thort cranford was a smashing series i do hope they manege to get anoter seres out in the summer because it will be just as popular as before
Absolutel wonderful, we love everything about it, can’t bear that it’s over already.
Not usually a big fan of costume dramas, I have been absolutely enthralled with this series for the past 5 weeks. All the characters seem so plausible, real and alive, that now the series has ended, I feel I have lost old friends! What a credit to the acting abilities – every single one of them.
Please please can we have more? We are now inspired enough to go in search of the Mrs Gaskell novels.
Congratulations to the production team and all involved in such a fine British drama!
I have just watched the first season, i bought it all the way to South Africa and am in love with the series. The casting is brilliant and the acting outstanding. The series filled me with giddy delight, saddness and a sleepless night. There must be a second season!!
As a tomboy I’m used to cop shows & anything with Clarkson in. I loved ‘Life On Mars’. In fact I only bothered to watch this because Philip Glenister was in it & I fancied Gene Hunt !! I didn’t think I’d enjoy it in 1,000,000 years.
What a great series. I loved the medieval songs in it (what IS that tune played at the May Day celebrations ?? I love it.) & would luv to be able to dress & behave like that. I live in a village myself & the way the women reacted to things then remind me of it. (Wish Mr. Carter could turn up in my village saying “you sent for me, my lady” ! Life’s not fair!)
They were showing Cranford in UAE on BBC Prime recently and I must say it is what I would call the Best of British Productions. Everything was perfect – the story line, the characters, the calibre of actors and actressess, the costumes and the scenery. Sorry to say this – but no hollywood productions can ever equal or be compared to a BBC Serial or Drama.
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