Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #30396 in DVD
• Released on: 2004-08-09
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 92 minutes

Synopsis
Two war-weary young veterans, Birkin and Moon, have come to a peaceful Yorkshire town to escape the horrors of war that haunt their dreams. But their work at the village church takes an explosive turn as one ignites long-denied passion within the pastor's young wife which forces the other veteran to face his own darker, inner desires. Colin Firth and Kenneth Branagh star as the young soldiers with Natasha Richardson as the pastor's wife in this tranquil tale. An idyllic, dreamy atmosphere pervades the drama, punctuated by nightmares of the war the men have endured.

Customer Reviews

A brilliant performance by both Firth and Brannagh
One of the best films by either Firth or Brannagh. Beautifully filmed and one which captures the primitive attitudes of a rural community in the 1920's. One's heart goes out immediately to Birken (Firth)as the WW1 soldier struggling to come to terms with life after war and Brannagh's excellent portrayal of a man determined to 'keep on smiling' through his own tortuous journey back to normality. A truly lovely film which I will easily watch again and again - the scene in which both Firth and Brannagh are having lunch on a sunny day in the churchyard makes one feel one is there with them also laying on one's back, face up to the sky chewing a blade of grass - bliss!

One of my all-time favourite films
I first saw this on TV in about 1990, before i had heard of either Colin Firth or Ken Branagh. I was astonished at the quality performances both gave, but for me, particularly Firth's. I was not at all surprised that both became very successful and famous later, though it took Firth longer to rise to the limelight than Branagh, something which initially irked me (but only a little!).

But back to the film! Wonderful, evocative, very moving, and with an excellent soundtrack. It portrays the hardships of life in 1920, not just the fallout from terrible war, but also the then-incurable illness (TB). Thanks to the reviewer who identified the location; i plan to visit the church / valley for a walk / picnic some time this summer. And - trivia - the actor who played Old Birkin (David Garth) died the year after this movie was made (1988). It was his final appearance, and it made me weep.

And the unrequited love between Firth and Richardson beats hands down so many cheesier scenes of fully-requited "love" in more "popular" movies. And therefore meant so much more ...

What a film.

Gentle & beguiling
There's no need to rush this movie, it's here to be savoured. If Colin Firth & Kenneth Branagh weren't enough of a temptation (both looking disgracefully young), the colour and pace of this film are delightful. Layers of paint are dabbed away showing a beautiful medieval painting, while layers of emotion are oh-so-subtly revealed too. I loved the understated approach to portraying the trauma of attempting to ease back into a 'normal' life after experiencing the 'hell on earth ' of trench warfare. I now want a month in the country! Enjoy this one with a bowl of fresh braeburn apples...