Product Details

• Actors: Diana Hardcastle, Gillian Kearney, John Bowler, Susie Burton, Gez Casey
• Directors: David Wheatley
• Writers: Catherine Cookson, Gordon Hann
• Producers: Don Bell, Peter Moth, Ray Marshall
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 2
• Studio: Anchor Bay
• VHS Release Date: August 5, 1997
• Run Time: 156 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 1564427285
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #139,437 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting story & well filmed, but not family-friendly!, May 7, 2004

By 

randomartco "period film aficionado" (Greater Washington D.C. area) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Tide of Life (DVD)

This three-part miniseries is based on the book written by Catherine Cookson: it tells the story of housemaid, Emily Kennedy, who's ups and downs through life are followed in great detail, as she begins as a complete innocent, and must learn about men and their "ways". It's the story of life, love, and experience for one young woman who is forced to mature quickly as she learns hard truths about how fragile life is and how fickle men can be.

For those of you worried about content: be aware that this film is like a period drama soap opera! There are instances of violence, scenes of adultery and premarital sex (although some inferred, some bits shown), an unmarried couple living together, cruelty, etc.

All in all, it was fairly well done, well filmed and entertaining: just be aware that the storyline is not family-friendly: if you are a die-hard period film lover like me, you will want to watch it anyways, to learn more about the time period. This story focusing on a housemaid gives a much different perspective on life in those times, than if it focused on the grandeur and ease of the upper class: that alone made this film a great peek into the lives of the "normal" people of this era.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tide of Life a Lovely Voyage, June 8, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Tide of Life [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This film, an adaptation of the Catherine Cookson novel of the same name, is a three part miniseries detailing the changing fortunes of a young housekeeper, Emily Kennedy, played by Gillian Kearney. The time period is the Victorian era. Emily Kennedy learns about life and love through relationships with three very different men. Forced from the home of her first employer Sep McGilby (John Bowler) after his plans to marry Emily come to a tragic end, Emily finds work as a housekeeper with a farmer, Larry Birch (Ray Stevenson) and his crippled wife Rona (Diana Hardcastle), in Croft Dene House, a place which holds many secrets. Eventually after a strange turn of events, wholesome Emily defies convention to share a life in a rundown cottage with Larry Birch. I did not like this part of the movie, and I knew where the situation was going to end with Birch. As upright and clear minded as Emily was, it was difficult for me to believe that she would be willing to sacrifice her dignity for Birch after all the time she had known him as his housekeeper. Throughout the movie, one is given conflicting evidence about Birch's character. Emily is initially curt when she meets the new owner of Croft Dene House, Nick Stuart, played by the always charismatic James Purefoy, who in this role is just about his most handsome (very becoming Rhett Butleresque wardrobe and thin moustache). Emily is curt, but is eventually won over by the charming and compassionate Nick Stuart. The tide shifts again, and Nick gives Emily a way to take control of her future.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tide of Life, August 17, 2002

By 

Peter (Wellington, North Island New Zealand) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tide of Life [VHS] (VHS Tape)

There is little I can add regarding this movie that hasnt already been said in the excellent review by the lady from Virginia.
All I will say is that I found the cinematography both believable and beautiful in its capture of the 19th century northern English life.
What drew me most to the film is the courageous character of Emily ..played so wonderfully by Gillian Kearney.
Suffice to say I loved the movie so much that I am buying it ... from Amazon because it is not available here in New Zealand.