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      The Woodlanders

      PG 1997 1 hr. 36 min. Drama List
      Reviews 39% 500+ Ratings Audience Score Based on a novel by Thomas Hardy, this film tells the story of Grace Melbury (Emily Woof), a poor girl fresh out of finishing school who returns to live with her father (Tony Haygarth) in the small wooded village where she grew up. Reuniting with her childhood love, Giles (Rufus Sewell), their mutual attraction is rekindled, but Grace's father has arranged for her to marry the more distinguished Dr. Fitzpiers (Cal Macaninch). Initially happy, Grace finds her heart still belongs to Giles. Read More Read Less

      Audience Reviews

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      Frances H One of the few books of Hardy's that I haven't read, this story has so many themes that are common to Hardy, the upper class denigration of those close to the land, who live in the country, the desire of the well-to-do merchant class to move up the social ladder, which leads to tragedy for the innocent, and the beauty of life close to the land. The countrymen may seem crude to Grace when she returns from finishing school, which took her out of her native element, so that she no longer really belongs there, but her excursion into the upper rungs of society is unsuccessful and she comes to realize that Giles, who is a true countryman and as staunch as the trees with which he works, is the man with whom she belongs, but it is too late to undo that which has been done, and Giles dies because she turns to him and he is an honorable man. In Far From the Madding Crowd, Hardy is more generous to a girl who rises above her original state. Although she makes the same mistakes as Grace, in the end she is able to find release from her mistake and finds happiness with her real honorable man of the countryside. Grace is not as fortunate. Well acted with beautiful cinematography of Hardy's beloved Wessex, this is a lovely adaption of a Hardy tale. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/13/17 Full Review Audience Member Rufus Sewell's casting lead me to this one. All of the characters seem flat though, and I often felt like I had missed chunks of the movie, wondering, "How did we get here?" The ending is abysmal and left me in a state of "I just wasted an hour and a half of my life." Skip it. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 01/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Very nice, carefully paced, richly atmospheric, credible period rendering. Certainly stressful to watch how social conventions work out for folks at that time and in that neck of the woods. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/24/23 Full Review Audience Member Not enough Rufus Sewell! Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/27/23 Full Review Audience Member Had I realized this was based on a book by Hardy, I would have run away fast. Never was there a writer more apt at being a bummer. Blinded by Rufus Sewell, I undertook to watch this depressing and pointless narrative. The acting is by no means bad, but the production isn't anything special and is weighed down by a plot that no one could save. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 02/18/23 Full Review Audience Member Nice movie. Nothing too overly exciting. A book adaptation, I do believe. I would bet that the book was better.... Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      Critics Reviews

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      David Thomson Esquire Magazine This is not a great film or a large film... But this is a beautifully rendered film, shot in the places Hardy knew (and little changed no years later) and rich in feeling for people so close to the edge Aug 12, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis Based on a novel by Thomas Hardy, this film tells the story of Grace Melbury (Emily Woof), a poor girl fresh out of finishing school who returns to live with her father (Tony Haygarth) in the small wooded village where she grew up. Reuniting with her childhood love, Giles (Rufus Sewell), their mutual attraction is rekindled, but Grace's father has arranged for her to marry the more distinguished Dr. Fitzpiers (Cal Macaninch). Initially happy, Grace finds her heart still belongs to Giles.
      Director
      Phil Agland
      Production Co
      Miramax
      Rating
      PG
      Genre
      Drama
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Apr 19, 2016