Middlemarch (1994)

The BBC has raised the mini-series to an astonishing creative peak. A prime example is the 1994 production of Middlemarch, based on the classic novel by George Eliot, which juxtaposes morals and money, grand ambitions with petty jealousies, and pursuits of the mind with bodily needs. A handsome young doctor named Lydgate (Douglas Hodge, Vanity Fair) comes to the provincial town of Middlemarch to start a new hospital; a headstrong young woman named Dorothea (Juliet Aubrey, The Mayor of Casterbridge) yearns to contribute to the greater good of the world. These idealists enter into marriages that derail all their intentions and lead them into lives they never imagined. The network of characters in this six-episode program, ranging up and down the societal ladder, create an intricate and utterly engrossing narrative as well as a magnificent recreation of life on the cusp of the Industrial Revolution. The cast, from the largest to the smallest roles, is impeccable. When a scene turns to a character you've only glimpsed before, the precision of the writing (by miniseries master Andrew Davies, Pride and Prejudice) and the vivid performances suck you into the life of this person who seemed like mere background scenery only moments before. The cumulative impact of Eliot's story will leave you gasping at its brilliant balance of romance and reality. Performers include creepy Patrick Malahide (The Singing Detective) and sexy Rufus Sewell (Dark City) among the familiar faces of dozens of inspired character actors. Don't let the literary pedigree of Middlemarch scare you off--the plot is as juicy as a soap opera, with a psychological fullness that makes every dramatic turn all the more gripping. --Bret Fetzer Amazon.com

 slow but sure
This a a very long version of the movie, watched the whole thing in one sitting and took most of the day. Well cast, good production, worth your time... March 30, 2008

 Great Film
I had rented this film once and did not complete it. I decided to purchased it from Amazon and so glad I did. It is a fully well made film and the story is full of interesting characters, though I did not care to much for the finale. I will buy all your period films since I am a great lover of BBC and England. Thanks March 15, 2008

 Depressing
I usually enjoy period dramas/romances, but this one just dragged on. I kept waiting for the characters' lives to rise above all the sadness, but they did not. There was little plot, and not even a happy ending to make it bearable. I bought it based on positive reviews, but wish I had saved my money. January 27, 2008

 Ho hum, boring alert!
If you want to see suffering, on top of boring, on top of martyrdom without doing much good - this movie's for you. If you're otherwise looking for entertainment, then look elsewhere because all this movie will do is to waste your valuable time and regret ever having bought this movie in the first place. January 4, 2008

 great movie; engrossing; DVD needs program insert
This is a classic British production, with great performances working a wonderful literary effort.

As for the DVD, there was no program insert, which would have helped "navigation" tremendously. The DVD is two-sided, meaning the side identification is in tiny, tiny lettering around the circumference of the center core. Without a program insert, it took us a while to determine if we'd seen only one episode, or an entire first side. Frustrating. January 1, 2008

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