Cheap Wives and Daughters (DVD) (Annis, Gambon, Carmichael, Waddel, Francesca Annis) Price

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Customer Reviews of Wives and Daughters

This story centers around girl-next-door Molly Gibson (Justine Waddell of "Mansfield Park," "Tess" and "Great Expectations") and her father, the town doctor (Bill Patterson). Their idyllic lives are turned upside down when Mr. Gibson remarries the selfish, self-absorbed Claire Fitzpatrick (Francesca Annis) and her beautiful daughter Cynthia (Keeley Hawes of "Our Mutual Friend") join the household. The brothers Osborne (Tom Hollander) and Roger (handsome newcomer Anthony Howell who reminds me of a young Mel Gibson) Hamley add romantic interest to the tale. However, the Hamleys come from old English stock and the squire Hamley (veteran actor Michael Gambon) desires his sons to marry into "wealthy old English families." Before long, Molly falls for Roger and Roger falls for Cynthia and we, the viewers, find some surprising discoveries along the way!!

Memorable supporting characters include the goodhearted Browning sisters, town gossip Mrs. Goodenough, mysterious Mr. Preston (Iain Glen) and the aristocratic Cumnor family. Justine Waddell is luminous as Molly and Michael Gambon and Francesca Annis turn in memorable performances. The scenery, costumes and production values are all excellent. Screenwriter Andrew Davies - who also penned P&P - gives us a satisfying, romantic new ending that would make Mrs. Gaskell proud. I loved every moment of this adaptation! If you are an Anglophile, enjoy a great love story or are a fan of Mrs. Gaskell, this is the film for you!!!

If You Like Jane Austen, You¿ll Love This!
I wasn't aware that Elizabeth Gaskell, who wrote "Wives and Daughters," was one of the giants of nineteenth century English literature, but this adaptation of her book is simply wonderful!

Molly, the no-nonsense daughter of a widowed village doctor, is forced to cede the running of their household to her new stepmother, who is not quite as evil as Cinderella's but is a lot more supercilious. The stepmother's daughter, Cynthia, is another addition to the household, and Molly becomes her steadfast friend, even though Cynthia puts Molly in difficult situations and admits that she has never loved anyone in her entire life, including her mother. Everywhere, men fall swooning before the beautiful Cynthia, and Molly watches with alarm as Cynthia charms Roger, the second son of Squire Hamley, with whom she is infatuated. Complexities arise as ... well, watch the film.

What makes this film so enticing is the fine screenplay by Andrew Davies and the absolutely splendid acting by the entire company. You will enjoy detesting Francesca Annis (so memorable in "Lillie Langtry") as the stepmother who raises gold-digging to new heights, carefully evaluating each of Cynthia's suitors on the sole criterion of his ability to enhance her status and her bank balance. Michael Gambon ("The Singing Detective"), skillfully portrays the hot-headed squire, whose bark (worse than his bite) has tragic consequences. And Molly is played to perfection by Justine Waddell, who, while portraying the placid exterior of a country doctor's genteel daughter, can reveal her emotional interior with the merest twitch of an eyebrow. Ian Carmichael ("Lord Peter Wimsey") is sparingly used, but is, as always, enchanting. Supporting characters are played with consummate artistry, and the costumes and settings will dazzle you in an England in which, remarkably, it does not rain until the last scenes.

This production has characters that are not depicted as stereotypes - as in life, the leading roles occasionally falter and make bad judgments, and the flawed characters have their good points. This film will scoop you up and deliver you right into the middle of a world that looks and sounds different from ours, but that feels very, very familiar. "Wives and Daughters" is a winner!

A PERFECT COMBINATION!
Sue Birtwistle and Andrew Davies are, in my opinion, the best possible combination to make perfect period drama; they are like bread and butter. Ever since seeing Pride and Prejudice (another must-see!) when I was five, I've adored both Ms. Birtwistle and Mr. Davies, and have made an effort to see every film that they have contributed to. When Wives and Daughters premiered on PBS's Masterpiece Theatre, I couldn't have been more thrilled. Lavish costumes, set design, and cinematography are always guaranteed when these two are working together.
Wives and Daughters was certainly no exception.
The film circles around Molly Gibson, brilliantly acted by Justine Waddell, who has also acted in many other period dramas. She plays her character with innocence and simplicity, and you feel for her as she struggles with her love for a man who is engaged to her step - sister. I couldn't wait for each instalment to air every week on Masterpiece Theatre, and now regularly watch it a few times a year.
Another favorite actress is Keely Hawes, who plays Molly's amiable yet flirtatious step - sister, Cynthia. She acts convincingly blind to her charms and also makes you feel rather sorry for her. Her admirer, Mr. Preston (played by Iain Glen) is also wonderfully cast as a spiteful, manipulating man who is used to getting what he wants. He makes you hate him one moment and sympathise with his hopeless love for Cynthia, who certainly does not return his affections. Rosamund Pike, who was cast as Lady Harriet, does a wonderful job portraying an upper-class woman who will not be messed around with. Though she is not a main character, Ms. Pike does a wonderful job. All in all, a wonderful cast.
The sets were perfect, too. Hamley Hall looks appropriately gloomy, dark, and dreary, while the Towers (where Lady Harriet lives) are lavish, enormous, and regal-looking. The Gibson's home is also ideal, with wonderfully unique gardens and herb houses, which make the film even more exquisite to watch.
If Pride and Prejudice and other films of that genre appeal to you, this is a film that you will certainly enjoy!