Linda B

M A S T E R P I E C E. If you want a sublime escape from the 21st-century films on offer, watch this stunning film. You will gently float back in time to a story that encompasses human emotions in a way that is as delicate as a watercolour. The filmography is visually entrancing, and the landscapes are simply magnificent, captured in vast swathes that allow us to follow the characters as though we were walking beside them. This is David Lean's finest film, in my opinion. The casting is superb, and the acting is truly remarkable. I say this without exception, though many think Christopher Jones was miscast - He is superb as the shell-shocked officer unable to speak legibly, thrown into an almost alien world where British colonialisation has embittered the locals. The storyline is superb and well observed through impeccable direction. Essentially, this is a film about repression. Repressed love, the naivety of youth, the ghastly culture of seemingly idyllic villages, and how the characters manage to survive themselves. I have just bought the DVD and know I will enjoy watching it despite the long run-time. This would make a great Somerset House film

The ‘Enigma’ was why they bothered to make such a banal film.

I’m amazed that any mainstream actor or actress would want to be part of a film that’s so utterly repulsive in its attitude towards women. Gratuitous porn

Henry without red hair? Ghastlyrama yellow AI backdrop. Baloney

Series 1 - 3 (episode 29) were magnificent but the departure of Anne, Albert and James brother carried the series into stormy yet boring waters Unbelievable that a relation of the Fraser family is found floating in the middle of the ocean, recovering to a fag smoking quasi feminist and it was rather crude that James wife was barely gone from sight before multiple women are vying for James. It picks up much later on but the ending borders on farce

Sensationalised, over sexualised fiction which disempowers Marilyn Monroe. The acting was excellent but the film has no emotional depth. It’s a one- dimensional pop up book kind of film; I abandoned it after it nosedived into nonsense, so quite early on.

Superb cast. Unfortunately, this film is in two parts and the second half is utter nonsense. So disappointing! Definitely not worth watching unless you like NAA ending.

Gritty realism of adult violence towards young boys in the 20th century they borstal system. Every charecter could’ve had a name from real life; it’s not a ‘made up’ story, it’s what the system was and still is. Harrowing, haunting and utterly gripping to watch. Immensely sad

Bad castling. Full of tropes. Unlike the previous reviewer, I didn’t have an issue with Anne Reid being 60 something not 40 something. She’s a super actress but was badly directed. The theme was repression & the dysfunction of a family. Reid plays the mother from hell ( no compunction about stealing her daughter’s boyfriend) which makes it hard to emphasise with the character and her transition from widow to a freer woman. I’m a Londoner so when they arrive at Goldhawk Road then walk a few blocks into what looks like Belgravia’s then emerge into what looks like Hampstead village I had to laugh. I know locations are interchangeable but this was absurd. Tropes? Awash with them. Particularly the daughter in therapy - “I want to hit you” she says to mother then Boink! I watched it and wished the mother had been better. Literally. The ending ? Absurd. Nice idea but highly unlikely to throw a few clothes into a hold-all and jet off to a new life. Keep it as an idea and have the charecter dream but I don’t think they knew how to end it.

Great script, superb casting, great direction. uncomfortable viewing at times but thought provoking and worth watching.