The BBC never does anything half-way, and so goes CRANFORD, the story of a mid-19th century British town created by Elizabeth Gaskell and brought to life by screenwriter Heidi Thomas. Already nominated for ten BAFTA awards, eight Emmys, and three Golden Globes, this five episode miniseries is masterfully done in all aspects, including content, design and acting.Taking place over one year — from the summer of 1842 to the summer of 1843 — the miniseries chronicles the struggles of one township and its unflagging residents as they battle rumors, financial ruin, educational boundaries, medical plights, and the threat of change brought by an unwelcome railroad line.With a stunning 25 member prime cast, the BBC pulled out all the stops to make this a star-studded affair. They include Dame Judi Dench (CASINO ROYALE), Simon Woods (PRIDE & PREJUDICE - 2005), Imelda Staunton (FREEDOM WRITERS), Jim Carter (THE GOLDEN COMPASS), Alex Jenkins (THE QUEEN), and Francesca Annis (THE LIBERTINE) ...just to name a few.Funny, compassionate, and often heart-wrenching, Cranford is a town the audience dives into and submerges themselves. We become intimate witnesses to everything, and most of this is accomplished through the eyes of Mary Smith played by Lisa Dillon (whom I gave top billing to rather than Dame Judi Dench). Upon Mary's arrival in Cranford at the very beginning of the first episode we witness the trials, successes and failures of just about everyone within Cranford's fold. Overseeing most of Cranford's wealth is Lady Ludlow (Francesca Annis) who often delivers swift and hard decisions on the town but softens as time goes by. Helping her (and in her employ) is Mr. Carter (Philip Glenister, KINGDOM OF HEAVEN) who helps oversee her business and tries to keep Ms. Ludlow from destroying her wealth. Helping Mr. Carter is Harry (Alex Etel, THE WATER HORSE), the child of squatters and battling a life of education versus hard labor.But I would be seriously remiss if I didn't mention the main ladies of Cranford for whom everything encircles. Mainly this is Matty Jenkyns (Dench) and — initially — her sister Deborah (Eileen Atkins), whom Mary Smith comes to live with during the first episode. Deborah (Atkins) is the somewhat overbearing but incredibly hospitable sister who fears change more than anything but grudgingly accepts it (this is shown during an early funeral scene when she walks behind the carriage). Matty (Dench) is the more accepting sister who learns that love never really dies, it sometimes just takes a lot longer to blossom (via friendship, old romances, or a simple child).The other two women that I MUST mention are the comedic relief within the series (and the heaviest gossipers), Miss Pole (Imelda Staunton) and Mrs. Forrester (Julia McKenzie). These two trouble-making but vitally important characters were the glue that helped hold Cranford together ...and sometimes threatened to tear it apart (for instance, when the new doctor was thought to have been engaged to three different women, much of the blame could be placed on these two women's shoulders for the misunderstanding).There is, of course, much more going on in this series than I would want to write about (mainly for fear of boring you or causing cramps from typing too much ...or both). Rest assured you should see this. It is quaint, fun, and simply brilliant. Enjoy another Masterpiece Theater spectacle.

I don't know when there has been such a gathering of female talent, of all generations, as this production was blessed with. The Sirs tend to get most of the limelight, but as the song says, there is nothing like a Dame -- in this case Dames Judi Dench (a longtime favorite) and Eileen Atkins (not enough seen on screen, and always a pleasure) These two great ladies provide the linchpin for the adaptation of Elizabeth Gaskill's works, here collectively presented as "Cranford". The town arbiter of decorum and propriety, Miss Deborah (Atkins) seems at first to be a severe stick of a woman, but proves to have more heart than one might expect, and ends up rather lovable in her own way. Miss Matty (Dench), Deborah's sister, is quieter, more timid, and used to being ruled by her elder sister, but possesses more backbone than even she knew she had. Add to this the likes of Imelda Staunton as neighborhood busybody and town crier Miss Pole (hilarious bit near the beginning where the town doctor uses her to disseminate news), Francesca Annis as local aristocrat Lady Ludlow, Julia Salawha as newcomer Jessie Brown (with her own romantic secrets)and Barbara Flynn as affluent (and wants the world to know about it) Miss Jameison, a 'chick flick' doesn't get much better than this. For those who have run out of Jane Austen adaptations, or just if you want a superior costume drama with a liberal dose of comedy and a bit of romance, Cranford is the place to visit.

This is a women's soap opera in Victorian dress - ideal fodder to pull in the audience ratings. It is very sugary, especially in Episode 1, partly due to the syrupy background music reminiscent of the style used in old Hollywood films of the thirties and forties. I don't know what Carl Davis was thinking of. I did read that he had to produce the music in a hurry.The plot is a conflation of three works, producing a kind of telenovela. The stories shown were never envisaged in this form by Mrs Gaskell. What we are presented with here is a fluffy TV confection.I found it a bit slow and less than riveting, partly because many of the plot strands are very trivial. Middlemarch (1994) was better.However, on the positive side, it is well made in the best BBC tradition, and the acting by the stellar cast is excellent.

I am at heart an Austen girl, and I will admit that I find that the BBC's adaptations often far outrank any other, and Cranford was no exception. I have yet to read the books but have dropped heavy hints to Santa. The BBC has, if I'm honest disappointed me recently, but for one Cranford' quality programme I can almost forgive for everything else. Pure excellence. Cranford had me in tears for every episode, and often begging for the happy ending which given the often dark nature of the narrative was unlikely to come, and often didn't. Wonderful performances, from the Sirs and Dames, down to the youngster who played Harry Gregson, and with wonderful characterisation, which made the characters lovable and known and even gives unseen characters and histories unseen depths which are sometimes unavoidably and sadly missed in period pieces. A wonderful job. One request, may 'Cranford' never meet Hollywood, they won't be able to do it better than the BBC! Does anyone know when it comes out on DVD?