Secret Orchards

Name: Secret Orchards
Genre: Drama
Cast: Freddie Jones, Judy Parfitt, Joseph Blatchley

TV Movie
19791979

The biography of successful and respectable Edwardian businessman Roger Ackerley, who managed to conceal the existence of a secret love and the three daughters she bore, from his wife and ad... Read allThe biography of successful and respectable Edwardian businessman Roger Ackerley, who managed to conceal the existence of a secret love and the three daughters she bore, from his wife and adult son and daughter until his death.The biography of successful and respectable Edwardian businessman Roger Ackerley, who managed to conceal the existence of a secret love and the three daughters she bore, from his wife and adult son and daughter until his death.

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The biography of successful and respectable Edwardian businessman Roger Ackerley, who managed to conceal the existence of a secret love and the three daughters she bore, from his society wife and remaining children. Known to the daughters only as 'Uncle Bodger', they remained unaware he was their father until after his death. The film also covers the impact on them of their improvised upbringing - their mother was frequently absent - and the social irony of his closet homosexual son, Joe struggling to unburden his truth onto his reluctant, outwardly respectable father. Joe became the eminent author J R Ackerley on whose book, My Father And Myself, the film is partially based, along with The Secret Orchard Of Roger Ackerley by Diana Petre, one of Roger's 'illegitimate' daughters. —Paul Ackerley

gay interest father son relationship closeted homosexual

Genre
- Drama
Parents guide
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Top review

9/10

Complex material intelligently realised through fine ensemble acting, writing and direction. An under-appreciated period drama gem.

This Edwardian-set period piece has been intelligently realised through fine ensemble acting, writing and direction. Written for the screen by the acclaimed William Trevor, he has shown good judgement in selection of material from its two source books, constructing a single powerful narrative that respects both author's dislike of sentimentality and valuing Joe's fondness for historical accuracy and economy of language. Richard Loncraine directs with restraint and subtlety while every member of the ensemble cast delivers beautifully understated performances. Freddy Francis and Judy Parfitt in particular.

It therefore remains a surprise that this has lain unappreciated for many years. It is the companion to 'We Think The World Of You', with Alan Bates and Gary Oldman, the other J.R.Ackerley piece to be filmed and is reminiscent of the excellent TV adaptation of Jeanette Winterson's 'Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit'. Both of these still enjoy distribution, while Secret Orchards does not. On the strength of the evidence, it can only be because, sadly, Secret Orchards is no longer considered a commercial proposition. If however you do find a copy, see it!

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