Silas Marner, The Weaver of Raveloe (1985)

Faithful Adaptation with Good Acting

This 1985 BBC production of Silas Marner is pretty loyal to Mary Ann Evan's (i.e. George Eliot's) novel "Silas Marner: The Weaver of Raveloe." I had to read the novel "Silas Marner" in 10th grade English. While I do not remember all of the minor details of the novel, I do not recall this BBC production missing any of the major characters or elements of plot.

I also have always enjoyed watching videos starring Ben Kingsley (ex: Oliver Twist, Gandhi, Schindler's List). While Silas Marner seldom speaks for the first half of the film, Ben Kingsley does a good job portraying Silas Marner's essential character traits (as described in the novel).

Now, unlike BBC's Daniel Deronda or Middlemarch, which have an aspect ratio of 16:9, Silas Marner (like The Mill on the Floss and Adam Bede) has an aspect ratio of 4:3. This in unfortunate, but it does not make the film too difficult to view.

Also, unlike many of Charles Dickens' works, many of Mary Ann Evan's novels have NOT been made into films by other companies (ex: Hallmark or Masterpiece Theatre). Therefore, viewers have very few others choices except for the BBC version, which I think is adequate. August 18, 2008

Silas Marner DVD Review

Silas Marner, with Ben Kingsley, is an excellent movie with fine acting and dialog, and realistic settings. In my opinion, the musical score by Carl Davis is rather soapaoperatic and not very satisfying. June 14, 2008

Silas Marner, the Weaver of Reveloe

The purchased DVD arrived in a quick amount of time and in excellent condition, I would recommend purchasing this way without hesitation. Everything about this item was with extreme satisfaction. October 25, 2007

Silas Marner, The Weaver of Raveloe

George Eliot's classic, Silas Marner, is masterfully recreated by the BBC, and the character of Marner is aptly performed by veterian actor and Academy Award winner, Ben Kingsley. This charming story is about a man, Silas Marner, who is wrongly accused of theft and is then ostracized by his religious community. Silas takes up residence in a faraway town, Raveloe, continuing his means of livelyhood as a weaver. Marner now becomes a recluse and a miser, his gold becoming an obsession. However the weaver's gold is stolen, further embittering him. But one night a golden curly haired toddler, following the untimely death of her mother, wonders into Silas Marner's life. This little elphin baby girl, who Silas names Eppie after his mother, replaces his obsession with gold and becomes the love and dedication of his life. The love for and affection of this child has a transforming effect upon Marner who regains his humanity in a most delightful way. For a brief period Silas's happiness is threatened by the father who in his pride and fear originally failed to recognize his daughter as his own. But the warm debth of tender love between Silas Marner and Eppie is too strong to be broken. This story of Redemption ends with the marriage of Eppie to a fine young man, and the three, "live happily ever after".Silas Marner, The Weaver of Raveloe. August 26, 2007

George Elliot's classic as a movie

This period piece is well acted. It is an excellent adaptation of the novel but having read the novel makes it a bit easier to follow. Ben Kingsley is excellent! This movie does not drag, is not overly long or overly dramatic. Ms Elliot (Elliot was a pen name for Maryann Evans) was a terrific author and this is one memorable adaptation from BBC. I would give it 4 and a 1/2 stars if I could. August 24, 2007

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