#27 "Cranford"

Stats: 2007. Starring Judi Dench, Imelda Staunton, Simon Woods. Not Rated.

Background: Cranford is a BBC miniseries based on Elizabeth Gaskell’s novel of the same name. The screenwriters also borrowed plot points from other Gaskell stories for the miniseries.

I bought Cranford as part of a set which included Wives & Daughters and North & South. I loved both of those miniseries, and as it was cheaper to buy the set than to buy the two series separately, I went with the set. All summer, I intended to watch Cranford, but it just never happened.

Reactions: Cranford is delightful. It tells the story of the residents of Cranford, a small English village. The majority of residents are single women, many of them elderly. The story takes place in five parts; each begins in a different month in 1842 and 1843.

June 1842—Several new residents arrive in Cranford. The one who garners the most attention is Dr. Harrison (Woods—Bingley from the 2005 Pride & Prejudice), a young, single doctor. Residents also get to know Captain Brown and his daughter, Jessie (Julia Sawalha—Lydia from the 1995 P&P), and Mary Smith, a young woman who stays with the Jenkyns sisters (Dench and Eileen Atkins).

August 1842—Nearly all the residents of Cranford attend a garden party at Lady Ludlow’s estate. Following the party, two beloved Cranford residents take ill and die, and Jessie must decide on a marriage proposal.

November 1842—While still in mourning, Miss Matty Jenkyns (Dench) also must deal with the reappearance of a suitor after 30 years. Dr. Harrison remains the object of many single women’s affections, yet he only has eyes for Miss Hutton. After deciding to accept Mr. Holbrook, Miss Matty suddenly faces another tragic loss.

April 1843—After watching the previous three installments, I began to wonder if any of the residents of Cranford would see happiness. As Dr. Harrison begins his pursuit of Miss Hutton in earnest, several other women find reason to believe Harrison is actually pursuing them. On May Day, three women expect proposals, but none receives one. And installment four closes … with everyone unhappy.

May 1843—This episode ends the Cranford miniseries (though a Christmas special is set to air this December), and it does a good job of wrapping things up. Of course, there is tragedy, but there is also, finally, love. And in the end, Miss Matty is reunited with her long-lost brother—whose appearance brings new hope to the single women of Cranford!

While I’ve never read any of Jan Karon’s Mitford books, Cranford is what I imagine Mitford would be, were it set 175 years ago in England! (Mitford fans who have seen Cranford, feel free to correct me!) The Cranford residents all have their quirks, but they also genuinely care about one another.

I am certainly a fan of romance, but my favorite relationship from Cranford has nothing to do with romantic love. Harry Gregson is a poor, uneducated boy who takes to poaching to provide money for his family. Mr. Carter works for Lady Ludlow, and, after catching Harry trying to sell poached animals, he decides to take Harry under his wing. He hires Harry to work on the Ludlow estate, and he also teaches Harry to read and do sums. This relationship slowly progresses throughout the miniseries, and Carter comes to view Harry as the son he never had. When Carter is tragically killed, he leaves everything to Harry, on the stipulation that Harry get an education. The most touching scene comes when Harry visits Carter’s coffin, knowing he may not be allowed at the funeral, and reads “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard,” his favorite poem out of a book of poetry that Carter gave him earlier. Harry reads the poem through his tears, and I watched the scene through mine!

Verdict: Keep