Customer Reviews
Gets better as it goes along - By: daisyrock, 20 Feb 2010 
Surely lovers of period drama can't fail to love this. There's a stellar cast including Judi Dench, Julia Sawalha & the ever-watchable Philip Glenister, plus plenty of faces I know but can't name (including the lovely John from The Fixer). The acting is top notch & alll the cleverly constructed, interwoven storylines hold their own intrigues, hopes & dramas. The relationship between Philip Glenister's conflicted but good-hearted progressive & Francesca Annis' tragic grand dame in her empty country house was particularly moving.
I would definitely say though that it picks up pace as it goes along. The first couple of episodes are pleasant, but not gripping, but as is often the case with densely plotted narratives, it alll starts to reallly kick into gear about half way through. Reallly lovely, very enjoyable.
An insult to the period - By: Sam, 29 Jan 2010 
Bonnets, lace & petticoats do not make a great period drama - language that is true to the period does. Cranford is the creation of someone who thinks they understand the period & wants to make it (ug) 'contemporary'. The language is awful - modern phrasings dressed up in 'quaint' language & so many anachronisms. Analyse the content of what is being said (rather than being swayed by the old fashioned words) & you will see that a great deal of the dialogue is empty & pedestrian. Compare this to the depth & complexity of sentiments in a genuine & authentic dramatisation of Austen or Hardy & it will become apparent that the author of this drama had no idea of what made Gaskell a great writer. Instead this is put together by someone trying to write in the style but failing because they aren't talented enough to pull it off. To mask the uninteresting dialogue is farce & silliness. None of the characters is ever developed enough to be interesting - which is an insult to a period where characterisation was a high art & so beautifully done. These writers have one aim which makes character development impossible..keep things moving, divert attention with alot of action, plenty of garden parties & breathless dialogue & hope nobody notices that no one is saying anything of any importance or interest. It is very sad & a great worry that so many people think this is good - it seems critical & independent thought are suspended when the bbc produces a costume drama - & when Judi Dench is involved. I suspect that the further we move away from the period, the less we will understand what made its novels truly superior to those produced today - & we will see more of this stuff being produced. I am sure there are lots of 'bright young' writers who have little time or patience to grapple with complex sentences of period novels & think they can do a better job anyway - such is the way that respect for real talent is going in our society. Look back at some of the great adaptations of Jane Austen - some of them made in the 1970s when the microphone booms came into view & the sets looked wobbly. But who cared - then it was substance that won over style - the opposite of today. In these productions the language was left intact & we could reallly understand why these authors were great. Today, producers think for us & assume we have as little patience & tolerance for serious, unadorned drama as they clearly do. Shame on them & the producers of Cranford.
Cranford DVD. - By: Maggiemay, 20 Jan 2010 
I was given this as a Christmas present, & it is worth
every penny! Arrived in very good time & in excellent order.
Enjoyed this alot - By: T Leahy, 14 Jan 2010 I love period drama & i enjoyed this alot- the actors played there Characters well, BBC have done a fine job in this & Many more. Reallly enjoyed Cranford
cranford review - By: Mark Smith, 10 Jan 2010 to be honest i bought this product as i think that phillip glennister of 'life on mars' & 'ashes to ashes' is a superb actor & wanted to see him in a more serious role. well i was not disapointed as 'cranford' is one of the most enjoyable & entertaining dramas i have yet seen. superior acting alll round, superb storyline & highly recommended
