Under the Greenwood Tree (TV 2005)

In this lighthearted romance from Victorian novelist Thomas Hardy, the beautiful new village school teacher is pursued by three suitors: a working-class man, a landowner, and the vicar.

Director:

Nicholas Laughland

Writers:

Thomas Hardy (novel), Ashley Pharoah (adaptation)

Stars:

Keeley Hawes, James Murray, Terry Mortimer

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Keeley Hawes	...	Fancy Day
James Murray	...	Dick Dewy
Terry Mortimer	...	Robert Penny (as Terence Mortimer)
Richard Leaf	...	Thomas Leaf
Tony Haygarth	...	Reuben Dewy
Jane Wheldon	...	Mary Dewy
Sian Brooke	...	Susan Dewy
Ellie Thackeray	...	Bessy Dewy
Liam DeGruchy	...	Charley Dewy
John Axon	...	Elias Spinks
Steve Pemberton	...	Mr. Shiner
Ben Miles	...	Parson Maybold
Alethea Steven	...	Anne Roebuck
Tom Georgeson	...	Geoffrey Day
Sean Arnold	...	Farmer

Storyline

Young educated beauty Fancy Day comes to town to teach school and care for ailing father. Soon gossip around town turns to who Miss Day will marry. The lead contender is wealthy Mr. Shiner. Fancy however has also caught the attention of poor Dick Dewy and the Parson Maybold. Poor Fancy is also caught in the middle of a feud between the Parson and the former church choir when the Parson introduces a harmonium to provide the church music effectively usurping the choir and asks Fancy to play.

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Plot Keywords:

choir | costume drama | school teacher | english countryside | period romance | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Official Sites:

Official PBS/Masterpiece Theatre [us]

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 April 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

A zöldellő fa alatt

Filming Locations:

Ashridge Park, Little Gaddesden, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Ecosse Films, WGBH, BBC America

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

When Fancy is playing the harmonium for the first time in the church, one shot is taken from the former choir place and you can see Dick Dewy standing close to Fancy, although he is supposed to be away.

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Quotes

[Dick is furiously chopping wood]
Reuben Dewy: What did that tree ever do to you, Dick Dewy?

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Connections

Edited into Masterpiece: Under the Greenwood Tree (2006)

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Soundtracks

"Remember, O Thou Man"
(uncredited)
Sung by carolers

User Reviews

Keeley is definitely my "Fancy"

Every role Keeley Hawes has tackled has been played to perfection and totally believable, and her performance as "Fancy Day" in "Under the Greenwood Tree" was no exception.

This terrific Ashley Pharoah adaptation brought Thomas Hardy's novel (albeit abridged) and it's wonderful characters and settings to life, and credit must go to director Nicholas Laughland for his careful control, particularly in not allowing the comedy pieces to develop into slapstick. The entire production was superbly acted by a perfectly chosen and brilliant supporting cast.

The music too must not be forgotten. It melded in beautifully at every turn.

One minor criticism I have is the choice of the filming location. Not that I wish to denigrate the island of Jersey (I've been there and it's a beautiful place), but it's not Hardy's "Wessex", but then I suppose there's very little left of England that is. However great credit must go to the production designer Dave Arrowsmith for making us believe it was. (Incidentally I agree wholeheartedly with his exception of ALStubbino's comments. The latter must have been watching a totally different film to everyone else.) The only real downside was that the whole joyous occasion was over too soon. Thankfully I taped it, for this is one to savour.