I remember this series vividly another one which the BBC made very cheaply and where it's strength lay in the solid screenplay and the wonderful acting of Peter Jeffrey ,Mona Bruce and Judy Parfitt in particular. In many ways like other classic productions of this era.it was liking watching a stage play with very few sets. There was the school classroom, the dormitories and the gardens and that was about it. So often with Hollywood productions the plain heroine is anything but yet with Judy Parfitt it was a lot more believable as indeed was Peter Jeffrey as the irascible Monsieur Paul Emmanuel. Based upon her own experiences as a student in Belgium this is a much more believable a d mature work than Jane Eyre shame it is not better known. So come on BBC you are now showing ROADS TO FREEDOM and shortly your terrific production of SUNSET SONG open your vaults and let us see MAN OF STRAW again with Derek Jacobi, CAKES AND ALE, SENTIMENTAL EDUCATION, FATHERS AND SONS, EYELESS IN GAZA and much, much, more.
Review of Villette
