Customer Reviews

Month in the Country [VHS]

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

A good portrayal by Colin Firth and Kenneth Branagh of what soldiers encountered after returning from war. I loved watching Tom Birkin's (Colin Firth) stutter slowly fading as his work progresses on uncovering an ancient painting on the wall of a church. A church in which he has to live in and where the rector's wife shows him more than a required amount of attention. When he isn't thinking of her, his nightmares of war haunt him. I was thrilled with everyone's performances. I believe the director of this film also directed "Circle of Friends". Colin Firth appeared in a minor role in that film, also. And, another connection in "AMITC" is the circuit preacher appeared in "Shakespeare In Love" with Colin Firth. And, the rector's wife in "AMITC", Natasha Richardson, played with Colin in the HBO film, "Hostages". I recommend these films, also.

I love this sensitive film! In fact I pulled it off my bookshelf tonight to watch following the viewing of a popular film from last year (supposed to be so great and funny, but wasn't!). Because I totally felt cheated,I needed movie satisfaction tonight. This film is one I have now seen several times and it gets better with each viewing. Subtle details are noticed. Unfortunatly I own the VHS, but would love to purchase the Region 1 DVD version; I keep looking and hope it becomes available soon. This shows just how much I value this film, that I would buy the DVD in a minute.
First, the acting is superb. Colin Firth and Kenneth Branagh turn in such touching, yet quiet performances. There subtle communication is wonderful and sensitively handled. It is what is not said or said between the lines that counts. Their understanding of each other is perfect. Their separate personalities play well off each other. Natashia Richardson is excellent in the role of the stifled vicar's wife. She and Colin have wonderful eye chemistry. Expressions are everything and this little film proves it. All the actors turn in marvelous performances. The children are great. This film does not rely on fancy special effects or elaborate sets, but rather truly fine and talented performances that seem so real and authentic, and will hold up with time. I would highly recommend this film to anyone. It is slowpaced and thoughful, but not at all boring. I loved the beauty of the English countryside and the mysteries of the tombs and the church mural. Themes are layered and revolve around the main characters and their haunting war experiences. The end is perfect. I don't want to give it away.
I bought the book after seeing the film and now am anxious to read it. I am sure it is a fine little book and one I will cherish.

The film of A Month in the Country is a lovely rendition of the novel. Unfortunately, much of the plot is left behind. In order to really appreciate the story and the performances, get the little novel and read it first. It enhances the film beautifully.
Brannagh and Firth do first rate jobs throughout.
Especially in the pub scene.

Taken as a whole, this is a rather splendid, at times haunting, film which is based upon J.L. Carr's (1916-1994) beautiful and delicately crafted novella entitled 'A Month in the Country', 1980.

The main plot is set during the warm Summer of 1919 and tells of how two young men struggle to regain their 'peace of mind' in the tranquil Yorkshire countryside, after having experienced the horrors of 'The Great War' (World War 1).

A lady benefactor has bequeathed a considerable sum of money to a church in Yorkshire; in order for the church to realize the benefit of this gift, a medieval mural must be uncovered from beneath the Victorian paintwork superimposed over it. Simultaneously, the remains of one of the benefactor's predecessors are to be exhumed with rather startling consequences.

It is in these gentle, pastoral environs in and around the village church that the two main protagonists find their paths crossing; both are patently afflicted with nervous and mental disorders, wrought through them having experienced the downright terror and trauma of the Great War. This film is not simply some naive nostalgic nugget; the dark, tragic effects of war torn lives and communities are very evident.

The film reflects the overall ambiance of the novella reasonably well although it does not adhere to the dialogue or plot without aberration; one 'woodland' scene in particular - involving Tom Birkin (the mural restorer), played by Colin Firth and the local parson's wife, Alice Keach, played by Natasha Richardson - is a complete interpolation void of any substantial textual basis within Carr's original story. Nevertheless, the 'spirit' of the story is successfully retained and this is enhanced by a number of convincing performances, not least of all by Kenneth Brannagh who wallows in the rather engaging and multi-dimensional character of James Moon, an archaeologist working around the churchyard, seeking the grave of the aforementioned ancestor.

Apart from the excellent cinematography and Howard Blake's superbly apposite, mellifluous soundtrack, the story allows us something of a glimpse into the life of its author, J.L. Carr. Termed by some, not entirely appropriately, as 'the last Englishman', Carr himself was involved in a bitter and protracted struggle to redeem the fortunes of a deserted midland church earmarked for closure by various authorities. A blow by blow account of this struggle can indeed be found in 'The Last Englishman: The Life of J.L. Carr ' by Byron Rogers.

Howard Blake's wonderful and evocative score can be found on the CD 'Violin Concerto "The Leeds"', superbly performed by the English Northern Philharmonia and conducted by Paul Daniel. Like the novella, the film version is as profound and affecting as the reader or viewer allows it to be.

Michael Calum Jacques (aka Mike MacKinnon, former radio presenter)

The previous reviewer has given this only one star, which gives the impression the movie is not good. The movie and the book were exquisite, and the fact that this is not a DVD with suitable tech specs isn't a reason to rate the movie low.

Give the book a read, and then look for region 1 DVD.

No video format of the film can possibly do justice to the camerawork of Kevin MacMillan under the direction of Pat O'Connor. The luminosity and color saturation make this an art house film.

The bonuses you get for free:
1. a wonderful, restorative story
2. a mystery to be solved
3. watching two now-famous actors at the beginning of their respective careers

Amidst a lush, green Yorkshire summer, two emotionally scarred young soldiers Birkin (Colin Firth) and Moon (Kenneth Branagh) endeavour to overcome their invisible fears. Each has their individual work to concentrate on yet both are drawn to each other through a common and terrible bond. Birkin's progress through the summer (and hence the movie) is not only physical, with the gentle subsidence of stutters and tremours, but also emotional, as he allows himself to be drawn in by the locals.

A slow moving but ultimately rewarding film with fine performances by the two central actors, in addition to beautiful scenery and gentle dialogue.

No fireworks but highly recommended for both fans of Firth and Branagh as well as those with a penchant for classic British cinema.

I won't repeat the other rave comments about the film because I agree with them. First, though, the problem with this film is that it isn't completely true to the novel and drops important plot points. Therefore, it becomes rather obtuse. However, it's brilliant for what it is. Read the book and see the film and all your problems are solved! (And the book is so short, it won't take but a moment to read and is well worth lingering over.) The scene that I found the most moving -- one that hasn't been mentioned yet -- is the close conversation between Firth and Branagh in the pub in the village. Branagh is wilting into his beer in a private moment when Firth sees him and joins him at table. Branagh is literally incurably sad and, in a moment of raw honesty, tells Firth why. When he bemoans the futility of war medals, my heart breaks a little bit. His eyes fill with tears and so do mine.

Oh, see this film!!! But, read the book first.

This was a banner headline for a 1960s version of
Midsummer's Night Dream" which was performed by half a dozen of the people we now call "stars". Branaugh, Richardson and Firth are now stars, but "A Month In the Country" shows the budding talent of these people twenty years ago.

The script, from a novel by J. L. Carr, tells the story of two young middle class professionals who have just returned from service on the British Front during World War I and have become very underemployed in the postwar economy. They each have scars, one, the art preservationist, has a tick on one side of his face (changed to a stutter in the film) and the other, the archeologist, carries shrapnel in his leg. However, beyond that, they each have others scars, not so obvious, which they have brought home with them. The work they are doing involves the grave in unconsecrated ground and a church painting showing the Judgment which has been whitewashed over in the sanctuary of the estate church. Their salaries have been left in a bequest by one of the most recent generation of the family which owns the estate. She was what some people in the 1920s called an eccentric and some called a new woman - not afraid of facing the truth or unearthling family skeletons (Sorry I couldn't resist that). What each of the men finds, as they do their work, about the deceased and about themselves, makes for a fascinating story and makes one wish deeply that these men, who gave so much, will continue on the road to healing which their discovery has started. The third character of importance is the rector's wife. She is young and beautiful and married, for some reason, to a man much older than herself. She is also a bit lost in her life, but, somehow, we know she will not change and will spend the years ahead on the same road she is now traveling. Unlike the men, she has not faced death on the Western Front, and therefore feels she has a lot to lose by taking a chance on life.

It's a pity this video is out of print. I just loved it. The performances are wonderful and some images are just unforgettable.