Product Details

• Actors: Ciarán Hinds, Kate Buffery, Amanda Root, Daniel Massey, Gemma Craven
• Directors: Michael Whyte
• Producers: The Man Who Cried
• Format: Import, PAL
• Language: English
• Subtitles: Dutch
• Region: Region 2 (Read more about DVD formats.)
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: Unrated
• Studio: Granada Ventures
• Run Time: 153 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000V2W1WC
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #503,323 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Netherlands released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: it WILL NOT play on standard US DVD player. You need multi-region PAL/NTSC DVD player to view it in USA/Canada: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital 2.0 ), Dutch ( Subtitles ), SPECIAL FEATURES: Interactive Menu, Scene Access, SYNOPSIS: Two-part drama shown on successive evenings, from the novel by Catherine Cookson. Part 1: 1932. Abel Mason leaves his wife after his affair with a married woman ends in tragedy. He travels north with his young son in search of a job, and meets a wealthy garage owner who changes his life. Part 2: 1941. Abel and Hilda have drifted apart, and he starts an affair with Florrie. But Dick can no longer bear his father's secret. ...The Man Who Cried

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I was persuaded to see this, November 20, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Man Who Cried [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Upon seeing Ciaran Hinds and Amanda Root in Persuasion I thought I'd like to see them together again. This story is very different and the characters they portray are very different. It is a beautifully shot picture. The story of seeking a better life and love for his son and himself prompts Abel to leave a cruel wife after a love affair goes awry. As he and his son take off for a better life, they are meet with hardships and temptations, always hiding the truth. Abel enters into an unlawful marriage with Hilda (Amanda Root) who loves him,provides his son with a loving home....unfortunately Abel doesn't love her...he loves her beautiful sister Florrie(who eventually becomes his lover and mother of his child after 9 years of quietly bearing life with Hilda) There are troubles ahead for all as his first wife discovers his whereabouts...The story of deceit/truth, cruelty/love, revenge/forgiveness, and unfolding tenderness as each character faces the truth, weaknesses and cruelty within themselves makes for a very touching movie. Truly upon seeing Ciaran and Amanda in very different characters makes one appreciate their talents and skill in acting. I was touched by the movie and my uneasiness in seeing the two Persuasion actors in a whole new way helped me to love even more their ability to tell human stories in these two movies. All the actors involved were very good and the moral questions and tragedies that occur will stir you. The courage to see one's own errors in character and to take responsibilty for it with a deep sense of humility, forgiveness and empathy for others not only transforms Hilda, but helps Abel to forgive himself....the touching ending is quite moving. The music is wonderful...so simple and beautiful a perfect reminder of how one wishes life would be...but is not due to the complexity of the human mind and heart.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful story. Great casting!, April 11, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Man Who Cried [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I bought this video because it stars two of my favorites: Ciaran Hinds and Amanda Root. The entire cast is wonderful. Those who see the human condition as black or white will not enjoy this story. But, those who recognize shades of gray, look for hope in dark places, and see forgiveness as a great human virtue will feel sympathy and affection for "The Man Who Cried." The story is set during the Great Depression and World War II. A bad marriage, the need for love and affection, responsibility for a young son, and financial woes push Abel Mason into a series of questionable decisions. It makes one wonder...what would I have done?

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Ciaran Hinds does it again, October 23, 2001

By 

Shelley Newman (Cambridge, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Man Who Cried [VHS] (VHS Tape)

though it would seem that he is paired with Amanda Root (Persuasion) again... and in fact they do get married in this film, Hinds doesn't really heat up to his former sex appeal until the second half of the film. This is a twisted tail of the impossibility of a bad marriage and the impossibility of a man from a disadvantaged background taking care of his son and finding work during the 1930's in England. He uses his luck, but makes a deal with the devil. He is found out. Everyone is well cast and it is certainly a realistic story encased in the possibility of love and romance. Lovely settings.