Product Details

• Actors: Juliet Aubrey, Patrick Malahide, Douglas Hodge, Trevyn McDowell, Robert Hardy
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo)
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: BBC Worldwide
• DVD Release Date: April 19, 2005
• Run Time: 375 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (93 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000784WNQ
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #11,394 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Middlemarch" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The BBC has raised the mini-series to an astonishing creative peak. A prime example is the 1994 production of Middlemarch, based on the classic novel by George Eliot, which juxtaposes morals and money, grand ambitions with petty jealousies, and pursuits of the mind with bodily needs. A handsome young doctor named Lydgate (Douglas Hodge, Vanity Fair) comes to the provincial town of Middlemarch to start a new hospital; a headstrong young woman named Dorothea (Juliet Aubrey, The Mayor of Casterbridge) yearns to contribute to the greater good of the world. These idealists enter into marriages that derail all their intentions and lead them into lives they never imagined. The network of characters in this six-episode program, ranging up and down the societal ladder, create an intricate and utterly engrossing narrative as well as a magnificent recreation of life on the cusp of the Industrial Revolution. The cast, from the largest to the smallest roles, is impeccable. When a scene turns to a character you've only glimpsed before, the precision of the writing (by miniseries master Andrew Davies, Pride and Prejudice) and the vivid performances suck you into the life of this person who seemed like mere background scenery only moments before. The cumulative impact of Eliot's story will leave you gasping at its brilliant balance of romance and reality. Performers include creepy Patrick Malahide (The Singing Detective) and sexy Rufus Sewell (Dark City) among the familiar faces of dozens of inspired character actors. Don't let the literary pedigree of Middlemarch scare you off--the plot is as juicy as a soap opera, with a psychological fullness that makes every dramatic turn all the more gripping. --Bret Fetzer

Product Description

19th century Great Britain. The Industrial Revolution brings both the promise and fear of change. In the provincial town of Middlemarch, the progressive Dorothea Brooke desperately seeks intellectual fulfillment in a male-dominated society and is driven into an unhappy marriage to the elderly scholar Casaubon. No sooner do they embark on their honeymoon than she meets and develops an instant connection with Casaubon's young cousin, Will Ladislaw. When idealistic Doctor Lydgate arrives, his new methods of medicine sweep him into the battle between conservatives and liberals in town. He quickly becomes enamored of the beautiful, privileged Rosamond Vincy, a woman whose troubles seem bound to destroy him.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

192 of 195 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars CALLING ALL PERIOD PIECE LOVERS..., February 10, 2002

By 

Lawyeraau (Balmoral Castle) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Middlemarch [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This is a superb adaptation of George Elliot's novel of the same name. Set in nineteenth century England in the rural town of Middlemarch, it follows the lives of several of its inhabitants, as the threads of their lives intertwine with those of others. Filled with memorable characters with whom the viewer becomes engrossed over the six hours that the series runs, it is a well acted, beautifully filmed period piece.

When an idealistic, ambitious, handsome gentleman, Dr. Tertius Lydgate (Douglas Hodge), moves to Middlemarch with the expectation of running a charity hospital that will allow him the opportunity for medical research, he is teeming with anticipation at his prospects in this provincial backwater. He is quickly thrust into a situation not of his own making, however, as the town seems to be a family divided over who is to be chaplain of the hospital. Aligning himself with his benefactor, Mr. Bulstrode (Peter Jeffrey), the town's unpopular banker, he sets the path upon which he must travel. Moreover, when he freely states his opinions without regard for the existing medical establishment, he makes enemies without even realizing it, so pure of heart is he. Upon meeting the lusciously lovely and thoroughly spoiled social climber, Rosalind Vincy (Trevyn McDowell), daughter of the town's upstart mayor, he is lost to her charms and loses sight of the prize. He sets upon yet another path that will bring him ignominy.

The lovely and intelligent Dorothea Brooke (Juliet Aubrey) is a scion of one of the wealthy first families of Middlemarch. She, too, is idealistic and wants to leave her mark on the world. Her head filled with socialist ideas, she, being pure of heart, longs to set right wrongs perpetrated upon the poor by the wealthy landowners, a class of which she is a member. Moreover, having been denied the education available to men, she deeply admires learning in others. Unfortunately, she is taken in by the scholarly pretensions of a wealthy, middle aged cleric, the Rev. Casaubon (Patrick Malahide), and chooses to marry him over her other suitor. Thinking that she can assist her husband with his scholarly work, she discovers too late that he may have other ideas on this matter. When she meets his cousin, the romantically handsome Will Ladislaw (Ruffin Sewell), this sets into motion a future event that is to have a lasting impact on Dorothea.

One would think that Dorothea and Tertius would be a perfect love match. Alas, that is not to be, as the heart of each is captured by another. Scandals, romance, intrigues, politics, and the wind of social change permeate this epic period piece. With numerous memorable characters and subplots that move the story along, the viewer remains enthralled, as the entire six hours melt away. With beautiful, lush cinematography, wonderful costumes, and ensemble acting that makes this epic period piece flow, this three tape video is a welcome addition to one's collection. Bravo!

116 of 122 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling, romantic.....an absolute stunner!, November 2, 1999

By 

Marcy Gomez (Kansas City, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Middlemarch [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This is the perfect film for Anglophiles or fans of well-made classic novel adaptations. Based on George Eliot's Victorian novel, this film introduces us to such memorable characters as sweet and sensitive Dorothea Brooke (J. Aubrey), passionate Will Ladislaw (Rufus Sewell), formidable Mr. Casaubon, handsome Dr. Lydgate, materialistic & pretty Rosamund Vincy, and her flighty brother Fred (Jonathan Firth), to name a few - as well as to their hopes, dreams, trials and triumphs. There are 3 love stories featured in this film (2 of them love triangles!), splendid characterizations, high production values and an overall wonderful miniseries! This is very highly recommended!

58 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars lovely period romance, August 14, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Middlemarch [VHS] (VHS Tape)

If you love period piece romance movies you will love this movie. My favorite movie is the BBC's Pride and Prejudice with Jennifer Ehle and if you love that miniseries you will love Middlemarch. It looks beautiful and has some wonderful tension filled scenes. One of the romantic heroes is played by Rufas Sewell and he is gorgeous. He pines away for his love and he does it so well. Juliet Aubrey is also wonderful as Dorethea the woman he is in love with. I recommend this movie to anyone who loves 19th century romance.

Michelle