The Land Girls (1998)

Three young women from very different walks of life join the women's land army during World War II and are sent to work together on a farm in Dorset and the experience changes their lives forever.

Director:

David Leland

Writers:

Angela Huth (novel), Keith Dewhurst,

Stars:

Catherine McCormack, Rachel Weisz, Anna Friel

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Catherine McCormack	...	Stella
Rachel Weisz	...	Ag (Agapanthus)
Anna Friel	...	Prue (Prudence)
Steven Mackintosh	...	Joe Lawrence
Tom Georgeson	...	Mr. John Lawrence
Maureen O'Brien	...	Mrs. John Lawrence
Lucy Akhurst	...	Janet
Gerald Down	...	Ratty, Lawrence Farm Hand
Paul Bettany	...	Philip
Nick Mollo	...	Barry Hampton
Michael Mantas	...	Desmond
Nicholas Le Prevost	...	Agricultural Officer
Celia Bannerman	...	District Commissioner
Ann Bell	...	Philip's Mother
Nigel Planer	...	Gerald

Storyline

During World War II, the organisation "The Women's Land Army" recruited women to work on British farms while the men were off to war. Three such "land girls" of different social backgrounds - quiet Stella, young hairdresser Prue, and Cambridge graduate Ag - become best friends in spite of their different backgrounds.

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Plot Keywords:

farm | dorset | women's land army | friend | love | 

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Taglines:

The story of three young women and the events that would change their lives... The friendships that would stay with them forever... and the loves that would change their hearts.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance | War

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some sexuality

Details

Country:

UK France

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 June 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Amores en tiempos de guerra

Filming Locations:

Crowcombe Heathfield station, West Somerset Railway, Somerset, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

£75,474 (UK) (4 September 1998)

Gross:

£1,044,180 (UK) (16 October 1998)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Intermedia Films, Channel Four Films, Greenpoint Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

111 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The Reverend Alan Bennett, seen conducting the christening near the end of the film, is the actual Rector of the church where the scene was filmed.

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Goofs

When Stella receives a phone call from her fiancé, she tells him that the "pips" are going and that he should insert more money to continue the call. The "pips" did not come in until 1959. Prior to that local calls were unlimited in duration and long distance calls were via the operator, who would announce when your time was up and you needed to insert further coins.

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Quotes

Stella: Where's Prue?
[Ag points towards the barn]
Stella: And where's Joe?
[Ag points towards the barn again]
Stella: I should have known.

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Soundtracks

"All Things Bright and Beautiful"
17th century English Melody
Hymnal text by Cecil Francis Alexander
Sung by the congregation in church

User Reviews

Three young women from the city working on a farm in WWII England

Land Girls is about a British program during World War II that trained women from all over the country to work on farms while the men were at war. Stella, Ag and Prue are three young women from different areas and different classes who go to work on an old farm in south-coastal England. But this isn't a "fish out of water" kind of film - the women adjust reasonably quickly and become part of the family. There is a the crotchety farmer, helpful farmer's wife and good looking son who plans to join the RAF. The war feels generally a bit remote - the young women can see bombing from a hilltop, but aren't in the middle of the fighting.

The movie focuses on Stella, who's engaged to a young man at a nearby naval station. Prue is the somewhat adventurous hair stylist-turned-cow milker, and Ag is a university student off to help her country. Strongly recommended for folks who enjoy realistic settings and anything about World War II home life.