Customer Reviews

Under the Greenwood Tree

5 star:		(44)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I stumbled across this delightful gem of a film recently: as everything I've ever read & seen of Hardy is quite tragic, I was expecting quite the same from this...boy, was I in for a surprise! This light-hearted romance comes from the usually gloom & doom Thomas Hardy pen: well-acted & filmed, this movie is a nice treat...

When Fancy Day returns to Mellstock to care for her father & teach the local schoolchildren, she creates quite a stir: the townspeople don't quite know what to make of this educated girl & the parson's plans to replace their beloved choir with her playing of the "harmonia" (organ). Pretty soon the sweet & beautiful Fancy has attracted the eye of three men: a poor but handsome carrier, a rich but crass farmer and a gentlemanly but superior parson. Her father urges her to marry well, but Fancy wants to follow her heart: will true love win out in the end?!

For those of you worried about content, it is kept to a few stolen kisses between an unmarried couple; there is also some time when a young man is in the river with his shirt off & he & a young lady steal a kiss. There is some mild carousing, as a few of the townsfolk show up to the church a bit tipsy on cider.

I was quite impressed by this film: I kept waiting for the dark, depressing side of Hardy to come out & almost couldn't believe that the tone of the film seemed to be upbeat most of the time. Surprisingly, the film stayed on the happier side & ended quite nicely: I love Hardy's other stories, but it is quite refreshing to see that he was not always doom & gloom, and could pen such a sweet & spirited tale as this!! Highly recommended!

UNDER THE GREENWOOD TREE, published way back in 1872, is Thomas Hardy's first popular novel. So many of Hardy's beloved novels have the underlying theme of forbidden love. Someone is always in love with a person from the wrong social class. Who could forget the bewitching Bathsheba Everdene in FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD and the spell she casts on three defenseless men (well 2 of them, anyway)? UNDER THE GREENWOOD TREE is the charming and adorable story of Miss Fancy Day, the lovely and spirited schoolteacher who is hired by the town parson to teach the children of Mellstock. And here again, a spell is quickly cast on three men.

First, we have Dick Dewy, the shy and handsome carrier (predecessor to moving van company) who is quite poor. Then there is Frederic (Farmer) Shiner the wealthiest man in Mellstock (and Fancy's father's choice). Last, we have Mr. Maybold, the arrogant town parson who feels very superior to his parishioners.

Music also 'plays' an important part in this lighthearted little story. The church choir is constantly playing their instruments or singing. They welcome Miss Day to the community by serenading her under her window. They are also replaced--much to everyone's consternation, by Pastor Maybold's new harmonium (at the Church). There are many parties and dances that utilize this little orchestra. Even at the end of the film, these musicians again serenade Fanny in an act of contrition. She has become very despondent about her future in this little village and when the band plays, she realizes that she truly loves where she lives. In fact, upon being proposed to by Mr. Maybold, she retorts, (when told how superior she is to the villagers) "As for me, I'm......I'm a woman of Mellstock."

We can tell what season it is by looking at the leaves on the Greenwood Tree in the little village. It takes a year for the leading characters in this story to make major transformations in their thoughts and actions: Dick Dewy becomes ambitious to win the affections of Fancy. Fancy and her father also change...............farmer Shiner will be glad to change in order to acquire Fancy's affections!

I absolutely adored this little film (as I do Thomas Hardy). Compared to Hardy's other works, this is a much lighter fare. It still has the lively heroine and the great romance but we don't have to go through any of the great sadness and torment that we find in his deeper novels. Hardy, who grew up in a town like Mellstock, took the title from a poem by Shakespeare's, AS YOU LIKE IT:

Under the greenwood tree,
Who loves to lie with me,
And turn his merry note
Unto the sweet bird's throat,
Come hither, come hither, come hither;
Here shall he see
No enemy
But winter and rough weather.

The course of true love never did run smooth, and Dick and Fancy certainly have their share of thorns in love's path. The eligible bachelors of a small country village pine for Fancy Day. Fancy reminds me of a 19th-century Lorelei Gilmore (Gilmore Girls) who is lucky enough to have all of the hot men interested in her. Dick is immediately drawn to Fancy and is not discouraged by the class difference. Fancy's father was the gamekeeper for the estate of his wife's family; his wife was spurned by her family when she eloped with Mr. Day. Fancy is well educated and takes a position as the local schoolteacher. Mr. Day encourages his daughter to accept the hand of a wealthy farmer, Mr. Shiner. Mr. Shiner is sweet and well-intentioned, but Fancy feels no love or attraction for him. I thought it admirable of Mr. Shiner to admonish Reverend Maybold to treat Fancy well or the parson will have him to answer to. Mr. Shiner wrongly assumes that Fancy is in love with Rev. Maybold when she refuses his hand. Fancy loves Dick who is loved in turn by a young woman of Dick's class. Thomas Hardy critiques class boundaries and reveals them as problematic in a far lighter manner than he does in his other novels. I never read this novel; in fact, I had never even heard of it. I'm used to downward spirals, thwarted love, and hanged heroines when I think of Thomas Hardy. This novel is a refreshing break from the darker pen of the great writer.

Dick is so handsome and passionate (the casting is perfect in "Under the Greenwood Tree") that I can't imagine refusing him! The scenes between Dick and Fancy are filled with electricity and are even erotic in an understated way. I love when Dick chides Fancy for lacking the courage to follow her heart and states that he would marry the lowliest milkmaid from the direst of circumstances if he loved her. Nothing would matter except Dick's love for the woman, even if he was a high-born, landed gentleman.

This short film is romanticism at its best. As I said in my title for the review: it's so sweet that I can't believe it's Thomas Hardy! Not to disparage his bleaker novels, but I really like this softer side of Thomas Hardy.

"Under the Greenwood Tree" is a charming adaptation of Thomas Hardy's novel of the same name. And unlike Thomas Hardy's other dramatic and often tragic novels (think "Tess" and "Far From the Madding Crowd"), "Under the Greenwood Tree" is surprisingly lighthearted and carefree.

It is a tale about a lovely young lady named Fancy Day (Keeley Hawes of "Our Mutual Friend" and "Wives and Daughters") who returns to the village of Mellstock to teach and care for her father. Soon after her arrival she catches the eye of three very different men: Mr. Shiner (Steve Pemberton), the wealthy and determined landowner; Dick Dewey, a handsome yet poor carrier; and Rev. Maybold (Ben Miles of "Coupling" and "The Forsyte Saga"), the town's vicar. Fancy's father urges Mr. Shiner's suite but Fancy cannot make up her mind. Should she follow her heart and marry the man she truly loves or marry the man who can provide for her and her father?

"Under the Greenwood Tree" introduces some quirky and interesting characters and watching it is very much akin to sitting under a tree (greenwood tree?) and enjoying the breeze. Unlike most British period dramas that take several hours to conclude, "Under the Greenwood Tree" is less than 2 hours long and is a delight to watch. The story moves rather quickly and, as always, there are some misunderstandings and hurdles before Fancy finally makes her final choice.

I was especially struck by James Murray, who plays Dick Dewey with such charm, charisma and is so dashing that he almost outshines the lovely Keeley Hawes. I had never heard of him before but you can bet that I'll be keeping an eye on him from this day on. Ms. Hawes is always a pleasure to watch although this doesn't quite match her performances in "Our Mutual Friend" or "Wives and Daughters." Ben Miles, as always, does a creditable job as the solemn vicar. There are some other good supporting roles, most particularly by Tony Haygarth who plays Dick Dewey's father and Tom Georgeson who plays Fancy's father.

I would certainly recommend "Under the Greenwood Tree" to fans of British period films. It is a charming little period piece that is a delight to watch. There are some wonderfully romantic moments and the chemistry between Fancy and her most ardent suitor is irresistible. If you're looking for something fun, romantic and British, then this is right up your alley.

Oh wow was this unexpectedly good. I spent my senior year blazing through Hardy's novels, which are great but a tad gloomy, with the exception of "Under the Greenwood Tree", which was written before Hardy himself became depressed and decided to depress high school students for generations to come. This BBC version differs from the novel in several key areas, and at the risk of committing literary sacrilege I will go so far as to call it an improvement.

The story is fairly simple; Fancy Day (Keeley Hawes) is the daughter of a nobody who has basically been in life training to marry someone rich. She returns to the town of her father, and immediately attracts three suitors, two acceptable and one really really not (the highly appealing James Murray). Guess which one she ends up wanting?

The film truly is a departure from the book, as Fancy is much more sympathetic here (she was kind of a twit in the novel), and Dick Dewey less of a country dolt and much more of a hottie. Hawes and Murray have spectacular chemistry, in fact they seem barely able to breathe in each other's presence. Another reviewer describes the music as repetitive; it is. But I happen to like the refrain, so I wasn't bothered by it. Besides, the end of the film contains a stunning acapella sung by the village men, a total and unexpected delight. The scenery is lovely, the story engaging, the acting splendid, and Murray gorgeous. I consider this film superior to "Wives and Daughters", and while not as complex and thought-provoking as "Berkley Square", certainly as much fun. Highly recommended.

Grade: A

I first found out about this movie on You Tube. I watch a montage of all the best parts set to some gorgeous music. After those 5:15 minutes I was sold...I went straight to Amazon, read the reviews and promptly placed my order.
The next 10 days were the longest of my life, when it finally arrived I tore it open and I wasn't dissappointed!! Keely Hawes is a personal favourite and James Murray is now definately a new favourite!!

I was somewhat dissappointed at first by the length of the film, because I am accustomed to my great period dramas (ie Our Mutual Friend, Wives and Daughters) being anything from 4-8 hours long!! So 1 and a half hours seemed a mere preview at first. But the second time round I had to admit that story does fit perfectly into the time frame.

All in all a wonderful movie, wil leave you with that warm, mushy feeling we know so well!!

The Making Of Featurette is quite interesting, although as always, not enough time time given to the stars of the show!!!

My recommendation: Buy it now!! Its a lovely addition to your BBC Library.

This wonderful adaptation of a lesser known Thomas Hardy novel, aired on PBS last night. As the other reviewers noted, I too was not familiar with this Hardy novel and was waiting for the story to turn dark, as it dared to, many times, in this tale of a lovely young woman with three very different suitors. Keeley Hawes has been a favorite of mine for some time and she is wonderful here - with a terrific supporting cast. It's a very slight story, but carefully done, and it builds as it progresses toward a refreshingly romantic ending. I thought watching it, "this is what most American movies are missing now - a REAL love story." There is intelligence - and heat - here - and I will absolutely purchase this DVD to see the behind the scenes making of the film. It's a can't miss. A terrific love story, well played and told - and, for Thomas Hardy, a peak into a gentler side of him - unabashed and fiercely romantic. And did I say that I love Keeley Hawes - this is an extremely beautiful and sexy woman.

I read the charming novel by Thomas Hardy during my "classics phase" ten years ago, a phase that has come back in full force not only in rereading the classics, but in watching their film and miniseries adaptations. Under the Greenwood Tree is a lovely film that captures the romantic feel of the novel and the setting of the simple village of Mellstock in Dorset, England. Miss Fancy Day (Keeley Hawes) is a new arrival in Mellstock, where she becomes the new schoolmistress. Her arrival causes dismay among the Deweys, members of the church choir who are replaced by Day and the vicar's new organ. Well, all members of the choir are upset except for the very handsome Dick Dewey (James Murray). He and Miss Day develop feelings for each other, but his humble upbringing makes him less than a desirable suitor. Dick has a lot of competition, for Miss Day has other suitors, like wealthy landowner Mr. Shiner (Steve Pemberton), the only one Mr. Day approves of, and the village vicar Reverend Maybold (Ben Miles). She receives marriage proposals from all three men. Will she do what is expected of her, or will she follow her heart?

This is considered to be Thomas Hardy's more lighthearted novel. I have always enjoyed the aforementioned Victorian love story's simplicity and charm. This BBC adaptation has captured all of the things that made the book endearing. One cannot help but feel envious when the heroine is being wooed by two very hot men. (I know there are three suitors, but Mr. Shiner is quite old and not so very good looking.) The production quality is top-notch, and the simple wardrobe and sets are easy on the eye. Keeley Hawes, who I had seen in BBC's Wives and Daughters, does a wonderful portrayal of the beautiful, innocent and irresistible Fancy Day. She manages to capture Day's torn feelings of duty vs. desire. So many other actresses would have come across as a woe-is-I-beautiful-woman-courted-by-so-many-handsome-men sort, but Hawes handles the role with grace and dignity. I enjoyed Ben Miles as the handsome local vicar. He played the role of himbo Patrick in the former BBC sitcom Coupling. I enjoyed seeing a different side of this actor. And I am very impressed with James Murray. He is gorgeous and oh so charismatic! He is also quite talented and adds such a romantic touch to the characterization that I couldn't picture someone better playing the part of Dick Dewey. I enjoyed this wonderful film. However, it is too short, only 90-something minutes long. That is why I take away a star. Other than that, this is a production like only the BBC could create and it will be kept on my ever-growing DVD shelf to be watched again and again. I recommend this gem.

I happened upon this movie on Masterpiece Theater on PBS and what a sweet and charming piece! I thoroughly enjoyed it the first time through but thankfully had taped it, so that I could watch it again and catch some of the lines previously missed due to the heavy English accents. A beautiful story of true love winning out. Highly recommend!

I highly recommend this movie. The plot unfolds maintaining constant interest in every character. The complexity of the relationships and apparent contradicting moral behaviours are, nervetheless, realistic and show a deepn understanding of human character.