Cranford

Comment from Kolein Carlson
Time 5 May 2008 at 5:21 pm

Watched the first in a series of three of Cranford on my local PBS station here in upstate NY. It is by far, my favorite 1/3 of a movie I have EVER seen! I wait anxiously, excitedly for parts 2 and 3. I could just go out and by the DVD, but waiting is oh so much more fun!!!!

Hats off to the producers, writers, casting crew and those fabulous actors who have the ability to transport me to the village and heart of Cranford!

With smiles,
Mrs. Kolein Carlson

Comment from Mel Ankeny
Time 6 May 2008 at 12:55 pm

Very disappointed that this is NOT Cranford! The sections which are pure Cranford are delightful but this amalgam of My Lady Ludlow/Mister Harrison’s Confession/Cranford is an absurdity and a disservice to Gaskell.

Mel Ankeny

Comment from Charley Michaels
Time 7 May 2008 at 3:11 pm

Nothing quite ever measures up to the written work of a great author, however, this is truly a made for TV to throroughly enjoy. Beautifully done and supurbly acted, the characters of Cranford come alive in this wonderful TV adaptation. I can’t wait to see the next two installments in this series! Well done, PBS!

Comment from Tillie Mead
Time 7 May 2008 at 9:34 pm

I haven’t read the book as of yet, but I thought the movie was fantastic. The cast and characters were great and I felt that the story was believable (to a point).

My husband is from a small village in Nothern London and the stories that he relayed to me from the 50′s and 60′s were not so different from the movie, especially the behavior of some of the village residents (i.e., the town’s pixie, the town’s gossip, etc.). The movie was very entertaining!

Comment from Desta Gage
Time 9 May 2008 at 10:01 pm

You are so very forttunate to have Dame Judi and the entire group working on making the PBS program “Cranfield” available to everyone. I am disabled so this is the only ‘traveling’ I am able to do to your lovely area. Thank God for the authors hard work, the fortuante soul who found the books to adapt and the willingness of all involved in filming. How very kind of the people of this beautiful village to share their home with us. Thank you thank you thank you.

Comment from Sharon Rhodes
Time 12 May 2008 at 9:44 pm

I love this mini-series. I have been a fan of Dame Judi Dench since I started watching “As Times Goes By”. Everyone is so good in the show. I have seen most of the actors from watching previous PBS shows. PBS takes their time and does a grand story telling (not quick explosions and blood and gore). These are the things I like, stories about characters you can love and want to know what happens to them.

Comment from maryse buck
Time 19 May 2008 at 1:31 am

i have enjojoyed the first and second parts of cranford, i am looking forward to part three tonight. all of the actors have done a wonderful job.
thank you for another wonderful program on masterpiece theater.

Comment from Jill Gratton
Time 19 May 2008 at 10:56 pm

This has been a fabulous show!!! diaster I taped part 3 and half way through when we were watching for some reason our dish flipped and we missed the last Half – will the show be run again Please?????

Comment from Carol young
Time 20 May 2008 at 12:33 am

I look forward to reading the novels, I enjoy period pieces more than anything else! I loved Cranford! I felt PBS really blew it with their recent redoings of Jane Austen compared to past versions, esp. the one with COLIN FIRTH, drooool..

The ensemble was excellent and it was great seeing my old “friends” from other classics. I was proud of my hubby for recognizing “Lydia” from the A& E Pride & Prej. as Captain Brown’s daughter in Cranford.

This is the kind of thing that makes you depressed when its over because one has to wait so long for a really good adaption of a classic to come along. But what a wonderful movie!!!!!

Comment from Alexis
Time 9 June 2008 at 9:14 pm

I just found a new edition to cranford that was just released today. The cover is very beautiful, and I can’t wait to see the artwork inside.

Search for – Cranford (AD Classic) – on Amazon

Has anyone read it yet? I hear the book is just a funny as the series.

Comment from Marcia Sabol
Time 10 June 2008 at 3:14 am

Cranford is absolutely the finest production I have ever had the privilege to enjoy. Fortunately, one of my three daughters ( who loved it as much as I) purchased a DVD copy for me as soon as it was released. This is the third time I have watched it. The cast, the writing, the photography, the setting is superb! The writer especially is to be congratulated in keeping the dialogue of a period piece true to the period. .
I saw that a sequel is being considered, and I surely hope this is true. It is a visual treasure and I thank you for it.

Comment from Maggi Hamlin
Time 25 June 2008 at 3:07 pm

At one time Masterpiece Theatre was on our weekly agenda, but for some time, the quality of the productions just have not measured up. Cranford has brought us back. Found the production while “clicking” through the channels; and, almost didn’t give it a chance. It starts slow, but as characters introduced; developed and exposed to the Jenkyn Sisters, well what else can I say. I found I was standing in front of the television entranced, I had forgotten to sit down for the first 20 minutes of the production. Dame Dench’s performace is as usual outstanding; but Dame Atkins is the stand out… Deborah Jenkyns holds the town and its traditions together. I await Parts two and three, these are times when sitting through the entire production is, no matter how long, preferred, why do I have to wait for next week! Oh well, after all, they say “all good things come to those who wait”. I rely on it, and do not see how I can be disappointed.

Comment from Catherine
Time 6 August 2008 at 1:41 am

The poster Mel above seems to be the only one familiar with the novel. This is not the novel – why introduce characters who are NOT part of the Cranford novel. I have read the novel – apparently they have pulled together characters from other works. Bad.

Comment from Emmys2008
Time 17 September 2008 at 7:08 pm

As you might have heard, Cranford has been nominated for 8 Emmys this year including: Outstanding Miniseries, Outstanding Casting For A Miniseries, Outstanding Costumes For A Miniseries, etc.

The Show airs Sunday, September 21st at 8 PM EST on ABC.

In the mean time, check out this cool trivia hunt which is about this year’s hosts. (There are hints in the videos)
http://www.emmyshostvideotrivia.com/

Comment from redhead59
Time 6 June 2009 at 12:52 pm

I did not catch the shows on my local PBS but have rented the DVD’s. Although I am an avid reader, I haven’t read the book either so my comment is based solely on the TV program. EXCELLENT TV or movie dramas often have a hard time capturing the entire soul of a written work. So common is the phrase “the book was better”. If I am going to watch a movie that is based on a book that I have read, I prepare myself before hand, the movie will not be as good as the book. It surprises me that others continue to ignore their past experience and let themselves be disappointed. As for the film drama, it was great. Everything from the costumes, the actors to the script. I can’t wait for the Christmas special.

Comment from Rebecca
Time 28 December 2009 at 2:37 am

Help! My mother is even now watching Cranford in the next room, and I overheard an absolutely beautiful version of the traditional song “The Parting Glass.” I have been searching credits listings, but the singer of this song is not listed and I am at loose ends to find. Does anyone have a lead?

Comment from Rebecca
Time 28 December 2009 at 2:39 am

…and of course I just found it: Jack Marshland. Thank you!