Product Details

• Actors: Lindsay Duncan, Jonathan Coy, Miles Anderson, Lucy Dawson, Simon Fenton
• Directors: Giles Foster
• Writers: Joanna Trollope
• Format: Color, DVD, NTSC, Widescreen
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo)
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: ACORN MEDIA
• DVD Release Date: February 27, 2007
• Run Time: 203 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000L2128Q
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #173,678 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "The Rector's Wife" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

The deeply moving drama of one woman’s rebellion against convention.

Lindsay Duncan (Under the Tuscan Sun, A Year in Provence) delivers a formidable performance as Anna Bouverie, a 20th-century woman trapped in her role as a vicar’s wife in the English village of Loxford. Arranging church socials, delivering the parish newsletter, and answering the rectory’s endlessly ringing phone, Anna feels stifled by her marriage and her circumstances. "I married the man, not the job," she pleads. "I’m not an outboard motor. I’m another boat!"

Anna’s first tentative steps toward self-definition meet resistance from her increasingly distant husband as well as from patronizing parishioners. But when two other men in her orbit offer their support —and perhaps more—Anna must sort out their real motives and make her choices.

Also featuring Miles Anderson, Stephen Dillane, Pam Ferris, Ronald Pickup, Joyce Redman, and Prunella Scales. As seen on Masterpiece Theatre.

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES INCLUDE Joanna Trollope bio and cast filmographies.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars VINTAGE, MUST-SEE BRITISH DRAMA., June 28, 2001

By 

RALPH PETERS (CLOVIS, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Rector's Wife [VHS] (VHS Tape)

THE RECTOR'S WIFE is one the most memorable British television productions from the 1990s. The lovely and accomplished Lindsay Duncan's understated, yet powerful performance as Anna Bouverie captures all the character's frustrations, disappointments and, finally, flowering in the wake of new love and the potential of a new life away from a loveless marriage and oppressive community. The film offers insightful comment about the nature of marriage and of the role of religion in modern society without being preachy or judgmental; if one chooses to ignore these themes, the film can just be enjoyed as fine, compelling drama. With Miss Duncan, there is fine support from the wonderful Stephen Dillane and from Ronald Pickup and, as always, Prunella Scales. Well worth repeated viewings.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Buyer Alert !!!, August 11, 2007

By 

J. M. Parr (Ottawa,Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Rector's Wife (DVD)

On my copy of this DVD set the first DVD had the first and second episodes reversed. Make sure if you watch this that the episode identified as #2 is the one you watch first. Episode # 1 should begin with The Rector's wife doing some office work. Episode #2 begins with a sort of pastoral country village scene. The second DVD doesn't have any problem.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-see for fans of Trollope, April 7, 2004

By 

K. Corn "reviewer" (midwest, United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Rector's Wife [VHS] (VHS Tape)

A classic story of a woman's efforts to remain a good wife while taking new risks. Anna Bouverie has spent the last 20 years of her life struggling to keep her family financially afloat, in spite of her husband's less than lavish salary in the parish.
The last straw occurs when he is passed over for a promotion and Anna has to face the fact that she will have to take things into her own hands as well. But how does she do this without tipping the balance? Unfortunately, her efforts brings about the disapproval of those in the parish as well as the anger of her husband.
Anna is forced to form a new identity for herself, not an easy task after all the time she's spent within the protection (and confines) of her marriage. A very believable look at the challenges faced by one woman trying to break out of her shell.