Customer Reviews
Considerably bigger buns! - By: Ms. Felicia Davis-burden, 09 Oct 2008 
This is a hugely enjoyable film that balances old-fashioned prejudices with daring activism. The WI girls join up to raise money for a sofa for the relatives' room, at the hospital where one of their husbands was treated for leukemia, by posing nude for a calendar. The delightful gung-ho of the girls (especiallly Helen Mirren's Chris) is tempered by the grief of Julie Walter's character as she misses & pays tribute to her late husband (a moving, lovely performance by John Alderton) & the knock-on effects on members of the womens' families.
Many hilarious scenes are juxtaposed with sad instances of prejudice, the dangers of exploitation & the constant spectre of cancer that both scares the women & spurs them on.
This is a delightful film about a brave, canny, beautiful & downright inspiring group of women. There's more to WI life than making plum jam, baking a victoria sponge & weekly renditions of Jerusalem!
Good but could have been better - By: Yorkshire Man, 21 Aug 2008 
I do like this film but it is very, very American. Why ??
Did any of the classic Ealing comedies cater for Americans. Why do we do this so much.
Apparently Victoria Wood wrote a script of the same story but this one got made because it had an American part to it.
No doubt someone will make Wuthering Heights soon with Heathcliff going to America in his " missing" years.
Helen Mirren & Julie Walters are sooooo good in the film.
Excellent title to own on dvd - By: Mile Aid, 19 Apr 2008 I rarely purchase DVDs of films which I have already watched, & this is one of those few exceptions. The story has a seamless melding of humour, sadness & sensitivity in real life, portrayed by an excellent cast. Strongly recommend this title.
Brilliant - By: Dodster, 25 Dec 2006 It took me a long time to watch this movie.
I knew about the story but didn't reallly fancy it, & I am so glad I overcame my prejudices.
The movie is a touching story of a woman's attempt's (Julie Walters) with the help of her friend (Helen Mirren) to overcome the loss of her husband (Brilliantly acted by John Alderton) to cancer & raise some cash for the local hospital. This they did by posing nude for the local Women's Institue calendar...the rest as they say is history.
The movie is funny, touching, inspirational & pure dead brilliant.
If you haven't seen it - rent it without delay.
So far the calendar & offshoots have raised £1,500, 000 & a new cancer wing for the hospital...
Film excellence - By: , 21 Jan 2006 Waited to see this DVD & wasn't disappointed. Watch the bonus bit about the background & the photographer's point of view before you see the movie as I hadn't realised it was a true story until the end. It was an amazing mix of emotion, joy, humour, drama. Wonderful casting of many gorgeous actresses who portrayed the ordinary women who made the calendar. Their husbands were also well cast. Yorkshire scenery was delightful. Helen Mirren excelled with her northern accent & Julie Walters delivered as usual. All acting faultless. A delight.
