"Love for Lydia" (1977) TV series

User Rating:

7.4/10   

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

23 September 1979 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

This thirteen-part series explores just how painful love can be for young people. Would-be writer Edward...

Plot Keywords:

Based On Novel

Awards:

5 nominations

Cast

Mel Martin	...	Lydia Aspen (13 episodes, 1977)
Christopher Blake	...	Richardson (10 episodes, 1977)
Beatrix Lehmann	...	Aunt Bertie (7 episodes, 1977)
Ralph Arliss	...	Blackie Johnson (7 episodes, 1977)
Peter Davison	...	Tom Holland (7 episodes, 1977)
Michael Aldridge	...	Rollo Aspen (7 episodes, 1977)
Christopher Hancock	...	Mr. Richardson (7 episodes, 1977)
Sherrie Hewson	...	Nancy Holland (7 episodes, 1977)
Patricia Leach	...	Mrs. Richardson (7 episodes, 1977)
Jeremy Irons	...	Alex Sanderson (6 episodes, 1977)
Rachel Kempson	...	Aunt Juliana (6 episodes, 1977)
Wendy Gifford	...	Mrs. Sanderson (6 episodes, 1977)
Ruby Head	...	Lily the Maid (6 episodes, 1977)

Runtime:

UK:780 min (13 parts)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

Carew Manor School, Church Road, Beddington, Surrey, England, UK

Company:

London Weekend Television (LWT)

Trivia:

Richard Bates, the son of H.E. Bates, was replaced as producer by Tony Wharmby

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Kidnappers (1999) (TV)

A miniseries that captures the book perfectly

This excellent series was brought to American TV audiences on PBS' "Masterpiece Theatre" in 1979, two years after it first was aired in Great Britain. I saw it then, bought the book by H.E. Bates, and later purchased the DVD set. This is a superb adaptation of a subtle literary work on British pastoral life, the many segments of the series giving adequate time to fully bring out the nuance of the book. It has encouraged me to visit England many times to savor the beauty of the countryside and small town charm. I think the author would have been very pleased to see how well his book had been adapted for television, and sadly he died just a few years before the project was completed.

Mel Martin and Christopher Blake give touching performances, and it is sad to see that Christopher Blake has died in 2004 while only in his mid-50's. You get to see Jeremy Irons do some fine work long before he earned his Oscar. Peter Davison is also excellent, before he became famous in "All Creatures Great and Small" and "Dr. Who." The distinguished older actors and actresses in this production remind us of the enormous pool of talent that can be found in Great Britain, where noted stage stars frequently appear in television dramas. I highly recommend this DVD set.