I have always been a fan of the classic period dramas like Pride and Prejudice, Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights and this screenplay of Under the Greenwood Tree is definitely up there with the best of them.
Under the Greenwood Tree is an adaptation of the novel by Thomas Hardy and surrounds the arrival of the young pretty school teacher Fancy Day to the small village of Mellstock. Fancy's father who lives and works in Mellstock married the daughter of his wealthy employer and she was subsequently cut-off from her family and inheritance. The guilt of this has stayed with Fancy's father all his life and he has harboured big ambitions for Fancy to marry well and gain back what he sees as her rightful place in society.
When Fancy arrives in Mellstock she attracts the attention of three eager suitors. There is Farmer Shinar the wealthy but lonely landowner looking for Miss Right. There is also the local Parson Mr Maybold who comes across as quite snooty and thinks he is far above the people in his parish. Lastly there is the young and handsome Dick Dewy the son of the local Currier who falls headlong in love with Fancy at first sight.
The story interweaves between Fancy and her three suitors as the seasons pass from winter to summer. Fancy's father keeps up the pressure for her to find a wealthy husband but things don't necessarily go according to plan and eventually Fancy has to decide whether she is going to please her father or her heart. Although you can pretty much tell from quite early on where Fancy's heart lies it is still interesting to see how this will come about against all the odds.
I haven't actually read the book so I don't know how faithful this adaptation is to the original story, but this is definitely more light-hearted than some of Hardy's other tales and it has a nice blend of romance, humour and drama.
Keeley Hawes does a great job as Fancy Day feeling vulnerable and uncomfortable whilst trying to cope with the different roles that people try to fit her into. Also it was quite believable to see when her character moved between the different social groups of the village.
James Murray is well cast as the handsome village lad who goes all out for the woman he loves. This was the first film that I have seen him in but he also appears in Primeval and does a good job in both cases.
Similarly the supporting cast do a very good job especially Ben Miles and Steve Pemberton as Parson Maybold and Farmer Shinar who bring in more of the comic element as two of Fancy's would be suitors.
There is only one main piece of music that continues throughout the film but it works well with the mood of the scenes and helps to convey the passage of time shown through the changing seasons.
Overall I really enjoyed this film and would recommend it to anyone who is a fan of period dramas with a bit of light humour.
Cast Keeley Hawes - Fancy Day James Murray - Dick Dewy Ben Miles - Parson Maybold Steve Pemberton - Farmer Shinar Tom Georgeson - Geoffrey Day Tony Haygoth - Reuben Dewy Jane Wheldon - Mary Dewy
Director - Nick laughland Screenplay - Ashley Pharoah Costume Designer - Joan Wadge Music Composed by John Lunn and Jim Williams
Special Features The making of Under the Greenwood Tree
Scene Selection
Subtitles English for the Hard of Hearing
Filmed entirely on location in Jersey C.I
Available on Amazon - £14.98 Play.com - £16.99
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
Production Year: 2000 - Drama - Director: Giuseppe Tornatore - Original Language: Italian - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Monica Bellucci, Giuseppe Sulfaro, Luciano Federico, Matilde Piana
Nicholas Laughland's TV adaptation of Thomas Hardy's novel. Set in a rustic English ... more
village in the mid 19th century Under The Greenwood Tree tells the story of a poor young man who falls for a middle-class schoolteacher and attempts to win her over.
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
![Under The Greenwood Tree [DVD]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78494679.jpg "Under The Greenwood Tree [DVD]")
very helpful by (93%):
helpful by (8%):
