Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2815 in DVD
• Released on: 2007-02-19
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 93 minutes

DVD Description

Housewife 49 is set in Northern England and based on a true story about Nella Last's 'Mass Observation' diary. Trapped in a difficult marriage and dreading the departure of her beloved son who leaves to fight in the Second World War, Nella (Victoria Wood) draws strength from the diary, writing down all the things she cannot say to her controlling husband (David Threlfall). Meanwhile, the support and companionship she finds at the Women's Voluntary Service--in particular from the formidable Mrs Waite (Stephanie Cole)--bring her joy and liberation during the difficult years of the war. The film was written by it's leading character, Victoria Wood.

Customer Reviews

tripe
I dont understand why this programme had so many accolades, especially for Victoria Wood. Her writing, generally is fantastic, but her acting leaves a lot to be desired. I found her totally unbelievable, as are a lot of comics that turn their hand to acting..catherine tate, david walliams et al.I realise i am in the minority, i wanted to like and enjoy this, and maybe with someone different leading it, i would have.

First rate!
This was absolutely brilliant. It left me wanting a sequel! The acting was excellent. Victoria Wood was outstanding as Nella Last, the housewife who was suffering from a mild depression at the beginning of the film. Her writing of the mass observation diary was a kind of therapy for her and she became a stronger person when she joined the WVS in spite of her controlling and unimaginative husband (and his brisk, efficient sister, who despised Nella and had no patience with her depression) and became a dependable member of the organisation, earning the respect and friendship of even some snobbish women who found Nella beneath them at first.
Did Nella understand when one of her sons tried to tell her he was gay? I am not sure.....nor did she seem to have shared that conversation with her husband.
Interestingly, SHE changed but her husband didn't really. One night as they were lying in the Morrison shelter, he did manage to tell her that she meant everything to him.....and I expected him to treat her differently after that, but he didn't.....he was still boring and old-fashioned and selfish.....and totally unable to communicate.
I believe there is a sequel in book form.....maybe it could also be made into a film?!
I liked that we were told at the end what happened to some of the characters as this was a true story.

A delightful celebration of real life
In a world full of Hollywood sensation, media hype and the horror of "Reality" TV, this is an absolute jewel of communication. What a civilisation we would have if more of us thought like Ms Wood, and used our skills to create such humble and important work.