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South Riding

  • 19381938
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 25m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
167
YOUR RATING
Edna Best and Ralph Richardson in South Riding (1938)
DramaRomance
"Winifred Holtby realised that Local Government is not a dry affair of meetings and memoranda:- but 'the front-line defence thrown up by humanity against its common enemies of sickness, pove... Read all"Winifred Holtby realised that Local Government is not a dry affair of meetings and memoranda:- but 'the front-line defence thrown up by humanity against its common enemies of sickness, poverty and ignorance.' She built her story around six people working for a typical County Cou... Read all"Winifred Holtby realised that Local Government is not a dry affair of meetings and memoranda:- but 'the front-line defence thrown up by humanity against its common enemies of sickness, poverty and ignorance.' She built her story around six people working for a typical County Council:- Beneath the lives of the public servants runs the thread of their personal drama. O... Read all
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
167
YOUR RATING
    • Victor Saville
    • Winifred Holtby(novel)
    • Ian Dalrymple(screenplay)
    • Donald Bull(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Edna Best
    • Ralph Richardson
    • Edmund Gwenn
    • Victor Saville
    • Winifred Holtby(novel)
    • Ian Dalrymple(screenplay)
    • Donald Bull(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Edna Best
    • Ralph Richardson
    • Edmund Gwenn
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 6User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards

    Photos

    Edna Best in South Riding (1938)
    Edna Best and Ralph Richardson in South Riding (1938)
    South Riding (1938)
    South Riding (1938)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Edna Best
    Edna Best
    • Sarah Burton
    Ralph Richardson
    Ralph Richardson
    • Robert Carne
    Edmund Gwenn
    Edmund Gwenn
    • Alfred Huggins
    Ann Todd
    Ann Todd
    • Madge Carne
    Marie Lohr
    Marie Lohr
    • Mrs. Beddows
    Milton Rosmer
    Milton Rosmer
    • Alderman Snaith
    John Clements
    John Clements
    • Joe Astell
    Edward Lexy
    Edward Lexy
    • Mr. Holly
    Joan Ellum
    • Lydia Holly
    Glynis Johns
    Glynis Johns
    • Midge Carne
    Josephine Wilson
    • Mrs. Holly
    Gus McNaughton
    Gus McNaughton
    • Tadman
    Herbert Lomas
    • Castle
    Peggy Novak
    • Bessie Warbuckle
    Lewis Casson
    Lewis Casson
    • Lord Sedgmire
    Felix Aylmer
    Felix Aylmer
    • Chairman of Council
    Jean Cadell
    Jean Cadell
    • Miss Dry
    Skelton Knaggs
    Skelton Knaggs
    • Reg. Aythorne
      • Victor Saville
      • Winifred Holtby(novel)
      • Ian Dalrymple(screenplay)
      • Donald Bull(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Theatrical movie debut of Glynis Johns (Midge Carne).
    • Quotes

      Sarah Barton: England's future is in the hands of her children. Give them what they need.

    • Crazy credits
      "Winifred Holtby died at the age of 37, one month after the publication of her greatest novel. In her story of the imaginary 'South Riding' of Yorkshire, she strove to preserve for us a part of the changing England that is typical of the whole. To her memory, this pictorial impression of her book is respectfully and gratefully dedicated."
    • Connections
      Version of South Riding (1974)
    • Soundtracks
      The Missouri Waltz
      (uncredited)

      Music by John Valentine Eppel

    User reviews6

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10
    It may not be an ideal adaptation of the book, but it is a decent film in its own right
    As an adaptation of a wonderful book(for me on first reading three years ago it was a perfect remedy when recovering from major back surgery), it is far from ideal, and the 2011 BBC adaptation- not yet seen the 1974 series- apart from the rushed final episode did do a better job telling the story. However any adaptation of the book does deserve to be judged fairly in its own way, and on its own terms this film is decent. It definitely could have had a longer length, as a result of being too short some of the situations and storytelling felt on the jumpy and hastily-told side, so some parts weren't as cohesive as they could have been, and the character of Joe Astell was under-characterised and like a caricature. And while the first half is sumptuous and gritty too much of the latter half is caked in over-sentimentality, and has a slightly late 30s melodrama feel, the themes of the book are all there but not fully expanded. However, the film does look lovely, lovingly shot and with production values true to period, and the Yorkshire sights and sounds are deftly realised. Richard Adinsell's score is as sweeping and hauntingly beautiful as is characteristic of the composer, and the script is literate with some evidence of Winifred Holtby's prose. Victor Ssville directs admirably, and the performances are very good. Ralph Richardson's performance in particular is sensitive and nuanced. Ann Todd touches the soul even as a woman going/gone to madness, Glynis Johns is a charmer and Edna Best is similarly sympathetic. Edmund Gwenn doesn't have a lot to do but is not disappointing either and John Clements does what he can with how Astell is written, giving him elements of sleazy charm. Overall, a decent film on its own but will leave "purists"(sorry, I'll try and think of a better word that sounds less scornful) left wanting. 7/10 Bethany Cox
    helpful•1
    0
    • TheLittleSongbird
    • Feb 9, 2014

    Details

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    • Release date
      • August 1, 1938 (United States)
      • United Kingdom
      • English
    • Also known as
      • London Film Studios, Denham Studios, Denham, Buckinghamshire, England, UK
    • Production companies
      • Victor Saville Productions
      • London Film Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • 1 hour 25 minutes
      • Black and White

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