Middlemarch (Repackaged) [DVD] [1994]

It is February 2021 and we are in the middle of the third, and I hope last, lockdown. It has been a time to revive old boxsets not seen for years. Among the oldest has been the BBC’s adaptation of “Middlemarch”, made in 1994.Middlemarch really stands up to the test of time. It’s a wonderful production with an outstanding cast, with even minor characters beautifully portrayed. Juliet Aubrey won a richly-deserved BAFTA for her performance, which was outstanding. It is of a suitable length for these times: the first episode if of 90 and the remaining five 60 minutes apiece, giving 6½ hours in all. It is hugely enjoyable.The only drawback is the picture quality, which is not good. The DVD has the compromise aspect of 14:9 (see Wikipedia for those technically inclined https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/14:9_aspect_ratio), although I suspect it was shot in 16:9. I also think it was entirely shot on videotape, unlike the earlier productions using film for outdoor scenes and video for indoor. If only it had been shot on Super 16 film like the following year’s Pride and Prejudice, on which the definition was so good that it was succeassfully transferred to Blu-Ray (if you love P&P the Blu-Ray version is well worth having).Additionally, this set consists of only two DVDs, which means that over 3 hours of material is compressed onto each disc. Hence the picture quality is definitely lo-def. It is probably too late now but it is to be hoped that any re-issues on DVD will consist of at least three discs and possibly 16:9 aspect ratio.

……depicting the book, Middlemarch, the life and times in a small town in the 1800’s.Stamford in Lincolnshire used as the main town location.The golden yellow sandstone architecture and period buildings creating the ambience required.Well known in British literature.The Actors and acting, authentic, along with the dress of the period, the transport, the mores and “expectations” of th3 times.From poverty to wealth, from attitudes and potential “shame” of the era.The “Extras” depicted, “The Making of”…..very interesting and educational.

In a poll a few years back, "Middlemarch" by George Eliot was voted the best novel ever written in the English language. Even if all these polls are questionable, one thing cannot be argued-off: Middlemarch captures perfectly the societal changes in the first half of the 19th Century, rendering the trends into the tumultous lives of its characters. Issues of relationships and money are in the forefront of the plot, with always-relevant topics such as marriage partnership or immigration also touched upon. The cast is uniformly excellent, namely Juliet Aubry and Douglas Hodge.Such a deep novel cannot be transferred to the screen with all its scope, thus the production lacks some emotional impact, but even this detachment works more for the version than against it. You may want to read the book, after all.

This 1994 version is an excellent adaptation of Middlemarch. Although it is not to high definition standard the picture and sound are good, and the DVD comes with English subtitles.There is naturally a lot of condensation in turning 900 pages of George Eliot's writing into a six-episode TV film, but the dialogue is often lifted word-for-word from the book. The following year Andrew Davies wrote the script for his brilliant 1995 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, and that skill is already fully evident here. The acting is universally excellent. I also appreciated the fact that the adaptation does a very good job of capturing the way England looked at the period in which it is set (1830s). The only thing which struck me as anachronistic was Dr Lydgate kissing an unmarried Rosamond Vincy in the street.

I saw this when it was originally broadcast in 1994, and was pleased to see it available on DVD; have just finished watching it over a period of a couple of weeks.Let's get one thing straight -- no televised drama could convey the sheer scope and humanity of George Eliot's masterpiece. But this must be as close as it gets, and it's wonderful drama. My husband is not a fan of peiod drama at all, hasn't read the book, and he was riveted.The locations are beautifully done, and the casting is simply perfect -- there is not a single disappointment there. This time around, I was even more impressed by Douglas Hodge as Lydgate -- you really feel his anguish and frustration as he is simultaneously baffled, infuriated, and mesmerised by Rosamond. He and Trevyn McDowell imbue their performances with such drama and tragedy that their relationship becomes almost the key of the whole piece (though I felt Trevyn McDowell went a tad too far, making it difficult to have any sympathy for Rosamond). But doe-eyed Juliet Aubrey as Dorothea is perfect too, and Rufus Sewell makes a wonderfully Byronic Ladislaw!Highly recommended for long winter evenings.

Wonderful production of this classic and great value from supplier

I am sure there are massive chunks missing - possible missing episodes? Not really sure how I can check.

I am studying English at uni and needed to read the novel of Middlemarch, however its epic size put me off instantly, needless to say I only made it just over 250 pages in. I was talking to someone in the year above and they highly recommended the Dvd, so I brought it. Whilst it does not contain everything that happens in Eliot's novel, by watching this it is easy to pick out many of the themes, ideas, motifs and so on, whilst getting to know the charcters over the course of an hour and a half. The trouble with the book is that there are so many characters that you quite literally turn a page and you're being introduced to someone new, so the Dvd helped with regards of putting a face to a name and as a result I have now gone back and read the book with much more of an understanding. A very useful buy for someone in my position.

Grande Bretagne, 19e siècle. La révolution industrielle apporte un vent de changements.Passion, désillusion et revenges.

El DVD venía sellado, pero noté que el disco venía suelto dentro del estuche, y cuando lo saqué, ¡traía huellas digitales en ambas caras!Es la primera vez que me pasa que un DVD nuevo venga con huellas digitales.

Really wonderful to watch English Period Drama Movies. Such a Joy. :o

Immancabile per gli amanti delle produzioni in costume BBC perchè è di certo uno dei suoi più grandi capolavori. Cast eccellente, ambientazione superlativa, ore di puro godimento da rivedere spesso e tenere con cura. Prezioso. Serietà e professionalità Amazon impareggiabili e superlativi.

No hay nadie como los ingleses para hacer series. Son los maestros. Y este serie no desmiente su buena fama. Se resepeta la novela; los actores muy buenos y la ambientacion excelente. Me gusto muchisimo-