The Orchard Walls (31 Dec. 1998)

A bright young teenage girl is 'farmed out' to relatives in the rural West Country during the Battle of Britain and makes many astute observations about life there.

Director:

Gwennan Sage

Writers:

Jacqueline Holborough (adaptation), Ruth Rendell (novel)

Stars:

Sylvia Syms, John McGlynn, Honeysuckle Weeks

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
Sylvia Syms	...	Mrs. Thorn
John McGlynn	...	Daniel
Honeysuckle Weeks	...	Jenny
Marsha Fitzalan	...	Clara
Fiona Dolman	...	Ella
Rupert Procter	...	Tom
Cherith Mellor	...	Mrs. Leithman
Alexis Denisof	...	Dennis
James Bree	...	Vicar
Jon Glover	...	Radio / Pathe News Announcer (voice)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Joanna Jeffrees	...	Mother at Station

Storyline

During World War II a London teenager, Jenny, is sent to spend the summer in the countryside where she will be safe. Staying with relatives she has not seen since she was a young child is initially daunting, but they are basically a kind family and they treat her well. One of her uncles is serving in North Africa and his very pretty wife is clearly unhappy. As events unfold, Jenny learns that she is having an affair. Jenny herself is at a age where romance is important and she develops a crush on a recuperating RAF pilot. As these complex relationships develop, tragedy ensues.

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Plot Keywords:

battle of britain | teenager | london blitz | railway | aunt | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 December 1998 (UK)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Blue Heaven Productions, Meridian Broadcasting, United Film and Television Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Quotes

Jenny: [Last lines as narrator/protagonist] 'Children should be seen and not heard.' That's what Mrs. Thorn would say.

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Connections

References Gone with the Wind (1939)

User Reviews

Observed

They threw a lot of elements into this pot:

— A Heidi-like redheaded teenager in the flush of sexual wonder, played by an actress with the florid name of Honeysuckle

— Significant reference to and use of Romeo and Juliet (including the title)

— Ripe Cherries by the bushel, directly conflated with menarche

— An illicit love affair (that doesn't directly involve the girl) in the English country

These mix to make something tolerable that otherwise would be dreadful. The device is overused: the girl is sent to the country because of the war. She is the reporter, presumably writing as an older woman. We see what she witnesses.

Ted's Evaluation -- 2 of 3: Has some interesting elements.