The Woodlanders (1997)

The story is set in late 19th century rural corner of South England. The daughter of timber merchant Melbury, Grace, returns to the town after finishing school. Her father now believes she ... See full summary »

Director:

Phil Agland

Writers:

Thomas Hardy (novel), David Rudkin

Stars:

Emily Woof, Rufus Sewell, Cal Macaninch

3 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Emily Woof	...	Grace Melbury
Rufus Sewell	...	Giles Winterbourne
Cal Macaninch	...	Dr. Fitzpiers
Tony Haygarth	...	Mr. Melbury
Jodhi May	...	Marty South
Polly Walker	...	Mrs. Charmond
Walter Sparrow	...	Old Creedle
Sheila Burrell	...	Grandma Oliver
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Geoffrey Beevers	...	Agent
Robert Blythe	...	Young Timothy Tangs
Jon Croft	...	John Upjohn
Michael Culkin	...	Percombe
Vincent Franklin	...	Stable Lad
Joanna Jeffrees	...	Peasant Girl
Caroline John	...	Housekeeper

Storyline

The story is set in late 19th century rural corner of South England. The daughter of timber merchant Melbury, Grace, returns to the town after finishing school. Her father now believes she can find a better husband than her childhood sweetheart, woodsman Giles. She marries handsome young doctor FitzPiers, but soon finds out he's not the man of her dreams and she still loves Giles.

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Plot Keywords:

merchant | timber merchant | love | doctor | timber | 

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Taglines:

A timeless tale of passion and desire.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for thematic elements and mild language

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 February 1998 (UK)

Also Known As:

Erdőlakók

Filming Locations:

Breamore House, Fordingbridge, Hampshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Arts Council of England, Channel Four Films, Pathe Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Marty South: Oh, Giles, if only you could tell your heart to be free.
Giles Winterbourne: You can't tell the heart. The heart hopes. Most of all where it's hopeless.

User Reviews

brooding Hardy

'The Woodlanders' was one of Thomas Hardy's most involving novels, a key novel in his Wessex series concerning the land and the people who struggle with conscience and passion within it. This movie by Phil Agland takes the pace of the book but doesn't necessarily serve it well as a film.

Performance-wise the cast is well-chosen, with gorgeous Rufus Sewell in the lead role as the brooding woodman Giles, who keeps his feelings for the now-better-than-he Grace (Emily Woof) to himself; as Fitzpiers, Cal Macaninch makes the character just as unsympathetic as he was in print (a close cousin to the Brontes' Edgar Linton is this starchy doctor). Jodhi May completes the mix as Marty, the village girl who remains doggedly devoted to Giles.

The countryside is photographed well but the momentum lacks the cinematic scope which would have made this a truly interesting film.