I know that this is a very lengthy review but I hope you will read and enjoy it.
The BBC has long been known as the undisputed world leaders when producing period drama for the TV.
When you consider the absolutely wonderful period dramas Auntie Beeb has produced over many, many years, it is an accolade indeed to be able to say that Lark Rise To Candleford is by far the very best they have ever produced.
Although so far I have only watched series one and have reviewed that, I cannot wait for the second series to come out on DVD.
I am shocked and dismayed that this drama appears to have been only nominated for a single award, which it duly won.
Every part of this production was immaculate from the script, the actors, the production, the direction and finally but definitely not least, the set and costumes.
SPOILER BEGINS:
Lark Rise To Candleford is the story of life in Lark Rise, a small village about 8 miles from Candleford, a small town.
It tells of the hardship of Lark Rise and about life in the somewhat more affluent Candleford.
The two story-lines are wonderfully intertwined.
SPOILER ENDS
When you consider the choice of actors selected for the various parts it is amazing that each and every one of them were given the most perfect part.
Although it is virtually impossible to single any individual out as the best I would like to mention a few of them.
SPOILER BEGINS:
Dawn French was cast as Caroline Arless, a mother of several children, with one on the way, whose husband was away at sea. She was more than a little partial to a good flagon of ale and this was eventually her downfall when she was carted off to debtors prison. Don't fret though, she came back. I cannot see anyone else being able to fill this part.
Liz Smith was her usual and impeccable self playing the part of Zillah, the housekeeper to the Postmistress in Candleford. Liz was 86 when she appeared in this series and has lost none of her extraordinary acting abilities. I can only describe her as perfection personified.
Julia Sawalha played Dorcas Lane, the Candleford Postmistress. She was oh so prim and proper and cared for everyone and helped anyone who was in trouble. She grew up with Timothy Midwinter, now Sir Timothy and the Squire of Candleford. She loved him and he her. Sir Timothy asked her to marry him but she refused as she felt it wrong that she should marry someone who she considered her 'better', but they still loved each other even though he has now married someone else.
Linda Bassett and Karl Johnson who played wife and husband Queenie and Twister Turrill were perfectly cast in their respective roles. It was a joy to see how well they interacted with each other.
Matilda Ziegler and Victoria Hamilton played the sisters Pearl and Ruby Pratt. It was as though these two sisters were literally joined at the hip and they did everything together, they even dressed in the same clothes for the most part, even though they were the proprietors of the Candleford milliners shop.. They played their parts as the Candleford busy bodies wonderfully and were convinced that they were better than anyone in Candleford and thought the residents of Lark Rise were the lowest of the low, even though they started from extremely humble beginnings themselves.
Last but not least there is Laura Timmins played by Olivia Hallinan. Laura was sent from Lark Rise to Candleford in order to work in the the post office and to better herself. The story is narrated from the writings in her journal. I have a feeling we will be seeing a lot more of Olivia.
SPOILER ENDS
I could have something to say about each actor who appeared in this drama as they all played their parts superlatively.
Finally the direction by Alan Grint, John Greening, Charles Palmer and Marc Jobst was again absolutely marvellous and you would never realise that there had been so many directors.
It is plain to me that everyone of the cast and crew got on extremely well together, which can be seen by the way this series was so wonderfully produced and acted.
The final thing I would like to say is that it is a great pity that 10 is the highest mark I can give Lark Rise To Candleford.
The BBC has long been known as the undisputed world leaders when producing period drama for the TV.
When you consider the absolutely wonderful period dramas Auntie Beeb has produced over many, many years, it is an accolade indeed to be able to say that Lark Rise To Candleford is by far the very best they have ever produced.
Although so far I have only watched series one and have reviewed that, I cannot wait for the second series to come out on DVD.
I am shocked and dismayed that this drama appears to have been only nominated for a single award, which it duly won.
Every part of this production was immaculate from the script, the actors, the production, the direction and finally but definitely not least, the set and costumes.
SPOILER BEGINS:
Lark Rise To Candleford is the story of life in Lark Rise, a small village about 8 miles from Candleford, a small town.
It tells of the hardship of Lark Rise and about life in the somewhat more affluent Candleford.
The two story-lines are wonderfully intertwined.
SPOILER ENDS
When you consider the choice of actors selected for the various parts it is amazing that each and every one of them were given the most perfect part.
Although it is virtually impossible to single any individual out as the best I would like to mention a few of them.
SPOILER BEGINS:
Dawn French was cast as Caroline Arless, a mother of several children, with one on the way, whose husband was away at sea. She was more than a little partial to a good flagon of ale and this was eventually her downfall when she was carted off to debtors prison. Don't fret though, she came back. I cannot see anyone else being able to fill this part.
Liz Smith was her usual and impeccable self playing the part of Zillah, the housekeeper to the Postmistress in Candleford. Liz was 86 when she appeared in this series and has lost none of her extraordinary acting abilities. I can only describe her as perfection personified.
Julia Sawalha played Dorcas Lane, the Candleford Postmistress. She was oh so prim and proper and cared for everyone and helped anyone who was in trouble. She grew up with Timothy Midwinter, now Sir Timothy and the Squire of Candleford. She loved him and he her. Sir Timothy asked her to marry him but she refused as she felt it wrong that she should marry someone who she considered her 'better', but they still loved each other even though he has now married someone else.
Linda Bassett and Karl Johnson who played wife and husband Queenie and Twister Turrill were perfectly cast in their respective roles. It was a joy to see how well they interacted with each other.
Matilda Ziegler and Victoria Hamilton played the sisters Pearl and Ruby Pratt. It was as though these two sisters were literally joined at the hip and they did everything together, they even dressed in the same clothes for the most part, even though they were the proprietors of the Candleford milliners shop.. They played their parts as the Candleford busy bodies wonderfully and were convinced that they were better than anyone in Candleford and thought the residents of Lark Rise were the lowest of the low, even though they started from extremely humble beginnings themselves.
Last but not least there is Laura Timmins played by Olivia Hallinan. Laura was sent from Lark Rise to Candleford in order to work in the the post office and to better herself. The story is narrated from the writings in her journal. I have a feeling we will be seeing a lot more of Olivia.
SPOILER ENDS
I could have something to say about each actor who appeared in this drama as they all played their parts superlatively.
Finally the direction by Alan Grint, John Greening, Charles Palmer and Marc Jobst was again absolutely marvellous and you would never realise that there had been so many directors.
It is plain to me that everyone of the cast and crew got on extremely well together, which can be seen by the way this series was so wonderfully produced and acted.
The final thing I would like to say is that it is a great pity that 10 is the highest mark I can give Lark Rise To Candleford.