I have just sat through the entire series in one evening. It was far from 'boring', in fact i found it to be one of the best things I've seen on the BBC all year. I have seen some comments on other sites which quibble over small inaccurate historical details - such as the Midlands bus in episode 1 - but I find that sort of critque nit-picky, especially if you take into account the FEEL of the show, in the way it is both acted and shot. I found myself loving and hating all the characters, trying to figure out what they'd do next, how they would cope with this or that. As for the show being 'depressing', well, quite honestly - what did someone watching a show about WW1 expect? You get what you sign up for. Yes, it is depressing, but its the kind of sad that makes your heart swell and your mind race, waiting impatiently for the next episode to start loading to see where they'll take us on this highly emotional journey. It felt dirty, beautiful and very real indeed. High props. Lovers of period drama, a MUST SEE.
43 Reviews
Gorgeously acted Downton antidote
ellenmeilee6 May 2013
I am having withdrawal symptoms from this now having watched the whole series and revisited episode 1.
Yes, it's pretty bleak at times - and it hardly breaks the stereotype of it being a tad grim up North - but then it probably was everywhere let alone Oop North when WW1 broke out- and as a massive John Simm fan, it's tough watching him play this unendearing character. But stick with it, and you are rewarded with seeing some amazing performances unfold. Maxine Peake deserves a special nod for her moving portrayal of Joe and Bert's mum. How much heartache can a woman take??? A lot, it seems.
It's beautifully shot, beautifully acted, almost incessantly grim, but you do care about enough of the characters to want to keep on watching.
I would recommend a second viewing as I am doing now, and enjoying it even more now I know what happens and can just focus on the performances and period detail done as only BBC can.
This is a real winner for me, and I am really looking forward to Series 2.
Yes, it's pretty bleak at times - and it hardly breaks the stereotype of it being a tad grim up North - but then it probably was everywhere let alone Oop North when WW1 broke out- and as a massive John Simm fan, it's tough watching him play this unendearing character. But stick with it, and you are rewarded with seeing some amazing performances unfold. Maxine Peake deserves a special nod for her moving portrayal of Joe and Bert's mum. How much heartache can a woman take??? A lot, it seems.
It's beautifully shot, beautifully acted, almost incessantly grim, but you do care about enough of the characters to want to keep on watching.
I would recommend a second viewing as I am doing now, and enjoying it even more now I know what happens and can just focus on the performances and period detail done as only BBC can.
This is a real winner for me, and I am really looking forward to Series 2.
Emotionally harrowing but expertly written and performed drama
phantom_fan8911 July 2013
Criminally underrated writer/producer, Peter Moffat, showcases his prodigious versatility by following up his brilliant legal drama, Silk, with the equally compelling The Village.
The Village chronicles the lives of the inhabitants of a small country town as they struggle to adjust to the turbulent societal upheaval brought about by the First World War. From the gentry to the poverty stricken working class, the shocking realities behind closed doors belie the idyllic surrounds of the Derbyshire countryside.
The Village is far from feel good entertainment. It's dark themes and gritty period realism creates viewing that is often emotionally harrowing, but undeniably brilliant.
Despite the explosive era in which it is set, the narrative threads of the series are predominately insular and familial, relying on interpersonal relationships to create drama. The results are riveting, primarily thanks to the vast array of intriguing characters and superb performances by the stellar cast. Moffat is a genius at writing fascinatingly unconventional characters that are neither heroes nor villains, but ambiguously grey. Unlike many male writers, he also consistently imbues his shows with multifaceted females roles that are equally if not more dynamic than their male counterparts.
Moffat's leading lady from Silk, Maxine Peake, is the emotional center of the series. Peake remains one of the finest actresses working today and if there is any justice The Village should garner her some long overdue recognition.
http://infilmandtvland.wordpress.com/
The Village chronicles the lives of the inhabitants of a small country town as they struggle to adjust to the turbulent societal upheaval brought about by the First World War. From the gentry to the poverty stricken working class, the shocking realities behind closed doors belie the idyllic surrounds of the Derbyshire countryside.
The Village is far from feel good entertainment. It's dark themes and gritty period realism creates viewing that is often emotionally harrowing, but undeniably brilliant.
Despite the explosive era in which it is set, the narrative threads of the series are predominately insular and familial, relying on interpersonal relationships to create drama. The results are riveting, primarily thanks to the vast array of intriguing characters and superb performances by the stellar cast. Moffat is a genius at writing fascinatingly unconventional characters that are neither heroes nor villains, but ambiguously grey. Unlike many male writers, he also consistently imbues his shows with multifaceted females roles that are equally if not more dynamic than their male counterparts.
Moffat's leading lady from Silk, Maxine Peake, is the emotional center of the series. Peake remains one of the finest actresses working today and if there is any justice The Village should garner her some long overdue recognition.
http://infilmandtvland.wordpress.com/
Reality check!!
waxyjo20 April 2013
Yes I agree it's mournful, depressing, grim and harsh but that was the reality of life then. If your harvest failed your family could die, there was no public money, or other jobs to be had if you lived in a small remote community.
In fact watching a drama which is so well executed, scripted (and stunningly filmed) reminds me of how fortunate we are today. It's also poignant to see the excitement of those enlisting to World War one, a very real honour at the time and what subsequently twisted into an unimaginable horror. How much has changed in 100 years, how well the BBC has done in creating another masterpiece series.
A little perspective is a wonderful thing and I certainly recommend this series to those who have a penchant for social drama, as I do.
In fact watching a drama which is so well executed, scripted (and stunningly filmed) reminds me of how fortunate we are today. It's also poignant to see the excitement of those enlisting to World War one, a very real honour at the time and what subsequently twisted into an unimaginable horror. How much has changed in 100 years, how well the BBC has done in creating another masterpiece series.
A little perspective is a wonderful thing and I certainly recommend this series to those who have a penchant for social drama, as I do.
Gens Una Sumus
drbagrov12 January 2014
We are all one family, as the Latin saying goes, and THE VILLAGE is an excellent proof to it.First,cheers to the script writer!Mr. Moffat has managed to tell us the simple things of everyday life of simple people without being banal;he presents heart-breaking stories without making them cheap melodrama;he is very meticulous in showing the historical background of the events without making them text-bookish boring.Second,excellent acting!True, nowadays, the British school of acting is the best in the world.Not a single false note or a gesture;perfect(as is a rule in all British films)enunciation and intonation in the speech of all, socially and educationally very different, protagonists.Third,a very good direction:all episodes are logically and emotionally connected,giving the viewers the complete understanding of the motivation of the heroes' actions. I just wish THE VILLAGE a long and successful screen life!
Brilliant
tomgould74910 August 2013
This is undeniably excellent, even I cried at the end because it was so poignant although I won't give the plot away. What makes this so good is that unlike a lot of normal period dramas that depict the mainly upper classes classes of this period, this looks at almost every aspect of life in the village during this period despite primarily focusing on one particular family.
I had the pleasure of visiting Derbyshire during the summer and was moved at how well it was depicted in this. The entire drama itself actually moved me to the point that it was something that I immediately wanted to see again. It shows that unlike the gloss of Downton Abbey, despite the fact that I do like that, life was actually very brutal for a large majority of people at the time. What makes this equally so moving is the fact that it left me with a certain numbness at the end and moved me to tears as though it reminded me of how precious life is and the beauty of England in equal measure.
I had the pleasure of visiting Derbyshire during the summer and was moved at how well it was depicted in this. The entire drama itself actually moved me to the point that it was something that I immediately wanted to see again. It shows that unlike the gloss of Downton Abbey, despite the fact that I do like that, life was actually very brutal for a large majority of people at the time. What makes this equally so moving is the fact that it left me with a certain numbness at the end and moved me to tears as though it reminded me of how precious life is and the beauty of England in equal measure.
The Village (BBC1) - Review
mail-479-2411235 April 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Bloody hell, it were grim up north. Peter Moffat's new six part drama opens on an overcast, depressing day in Derbyshire in 1914, as twelve year old Bert Middleton gets locked in a tiny cupboard by his brutal, hard-drinking father – apparently for committing the terrible, heinous crime of "swimming." Bert escapes, goes to school, and is immediately thrashed by his brutal, hard-drinking teacher for being "left handed". Bit harsh. All this is just a normal day for young Bert. Being tortured and imprisoned is about the only thing you have to look forward to if you live in The Village (BBC1).
Bert's older brother Joe (Nico Mirallegro) is equally trapped in this heavily colour-corrected hell hole. But lucky for him the Great War is about to break out, sending him and his smiley mates off for a nice break in France.
So begins the cheerful tale of 100 years of life in this small Derbyshire village. We look back on it all through the bloodshot eyes of the now grown-up Bert – "the second oldest man in Britain". Sadly, the part of this 112 year old gentleman is played by an actor who only looks about 75. I'm guessing Equity are a bit short on card-carrying centenarians.
Suffragette Martha (Charlie Murphy) arrives on a bus. It's the first bus ever to come to The Village, and people get so excited about it that they momentarily stop thrashing each other. Bert falls instantly in love with Martha, goes into a field and starts touching himself in a special place. Then he climbs onto a roof and looks through a hole in the tiles at a bunch of naked women having a bath. I'm just telling you what happened.
Meanwhile Bert's brutal, hard-drinking father (John Simm) has to bring in the harvest all on his own. No-one in the village likes him, presumably because he is so brutal and hard-drinking. John's long-suffering wife Grace (Maxine Peake) has discovered that the only way to stop her brutal and hard-drinking husband from being brutal and hard-drinking is to stick her hand down the front of his trousers. Which she does to great effect.
Up at the "Big House", Lady Clem Allingham (Juliet Stevenson) looks down on all of this with a quiet detachment. She's much too posh to have to deal with brutal and hard-drinking poor people – her time being exclusively taken up dealing with brutal and hard-drinking rich people. Juliet Stevenson gives great posh.
The Village is well acted and beautifully directed by Antonia Bird, and Bill Jones gives a splendid performance as the younger version of Bert. I'm quite looking forward to episode 2, but I'll take a couple of anti-depressants before watching it.
Read more TV reviews at Mouthbox.co.uk
Bert's older brother Joe (Nico Mirallegro) is equally trapped in this heavily colour-corrected hell hole. But lucky for him the Great War is about to break out, sending him and his smiley mates off for a nice break in France.
So begins the cheerful tale of 100 years of life in this small Derbyshire village. We look back on it all through the bloodshot eyes of the now grown-up Bert – "the second oldest man in Britain". Sadly, the part of this 112 year old gentleman is played by an actor who only looks about 75. I'm guessing Equity are a bit short on card-carrying centenarians.
Suffragette Martha (Charlie Murphy) arrives on a bus. It's the first bus ever to come to The Village, and people get so excited about it that they momentarily stop thrashing each other. Bert falls instantly in love with Martha, goes into a field and starts touching himself in a special place. Then he climbs onto a roof and looks through a hole in the tiles at a bunch of naked women having a bath. I'm just telling you what happened.
Meanwhile Bert's brutal, hard-drinking father (John Simm) has to bring in the harvest all on his own. No-one in the village likes him, presumably because he is so brutal and hard-drinking. John's long-suffering wife Grace (Maxine Peake) has discovered that the only way to stop her brutal and hard-drinking husband from being brutal and hard-drinking is to stick her hand down the front of his trousers. Which she does to great effect.
Up at the "Big House", Lady Clem Allingham (Juliet Stevenson) looks down on all of this with a quiet detachment. She's much too posh to have to deal with brutal and hard-drinking poor people – her time being exclusively taken up dealing with brutal and hard-drinking rich people. Juliet Stevenson gives great posh.
The Village is well acted and beautifully directed by Antonia Bird, and Bill Jones gives a splendid performance as the younger version of Bert. I'm quite looking forward to episode 2, but I'll take a couple of anti-depressants before watching it.
Read more TV reviews at Mouthbox.co.uk
Visually Amazing!
hardcoretroubador29 May 2013
The Village captures you with it's imagery, but holds you with the characters and superb acting. It's sometimes hard to watch as the grim reality of early 20th century rural English life is relentless.
The BBC should be praised for not giving it a coat of historical whitewash and trying to depict life in the period with with both the warts and the beauty. Ultimately it is the characters that you become invested in. Not the stock portrayals of the noble working class or morally vacuous upper class. The main characters have layers and depth that makes them both interesting and empathetic. They are brought to life by terrific performances and you believe them completely.
Overall this is superbly done.
The BBC should be praised for not giving it a coat of historical whitewash and trying to depict life in the period with with both the warts and the beauty. Ultimately it is the characters that you become invested in. Not the stock portrayals of the noble working class or morally vacuous upper class. The main characters have layers and depth that makes them both interesting and empathetic. They are brought to life by terrific performances and you believe them completely.
Overall this is superbly done.
S1: About what you'd expect
pkgoode-536-67128016 March 2021
The Oldest Briton looks back on life in a rural English village during WWI, much of which he seemingly learned about through constant lurking and eavesdropping. The usual suspects are all here: indomitable mother, alcoholic father, idealistic preacher's kid, grasping bourgeoisie, scheming parvenu, morally bankrupt upper class scion, disillusioned upper class scion, nutso upper class daughter, conchie, and...brother Joe. It's Joe's story that occasionally elevates The Village, especially in E5. Otherwise, it drifts along comfortably, with nice acting-especially from Rupert Evans and the ever-reliable Juliet Stevenson-disguising the pedestrian screenplay.
Love This Show!!
cheryl_brewster7 May 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Now I've finished welling up, what can I say, I have absolutely loved this show and yes many might call it grim, grey, depressing etc etc. But I call it brilliant casting which lead on to brilliant acting out of a brilliant story and completed by brilliant direction and all done in a realistic setting and backdrop which wasn't ever going to a a pretty flowery village. It was as needed to be, a setting an feel which reflected the events and that period in time. We were war after all, and most who were poor before then started losing family members to a war they had no say in would make most people up North or any other place in the UK pretty depressed. I can't say enough good things about this show and for me its an easy 10/10
Fascinating But Deeply Flawed
bpolhemus7 May 2021
IN A NUTSHELL: Wonderful cast of talented actors, terrific cinematography. Terrible scriptwriting to the point where at times it's nearly unwatchable.
It would take far too long and too many words to detail what's wrong with this production, and you don't want the spoilers anyway. So I'll give you the mile-high viewpoint, and if you watch, see if you agree.
Above all, this is yet another depiction of the 19th and 20th Century chock-full of spurious 21st Century mores. As if people THEN thought the same way people do NOW. That ruins the historicity of it for me.
The writers are far too intent on preaching modernist socio-political thought to give you an accurate depiction of life in rural England in the 1910s, 20s and 30s.
In every instance of moral dilemma - which after all is what drama is inevitably about - what someone WANTS is always given precedence over what they OUGHT to do from a traditional ethical and moral perspective. In fact, "what one ought to do" is uniformly presented as stunted or even evil. No, you shouldn't honor your marriage vows if you FEEL like doing something else. No, you shouldn't hold fast to your religious convictions, because religion is for nutters. Feel like having sex on the spur of the moment? Go for it; it's what you WANT to do (outmoded ideas of moral fidelity are barbaric anyway).
I watched this because the actors in the drama manage to rise above bad writing and horribly inaccurate social history. The scenes of rural life are breathtaking.
But the story is not. It's maudlin, prissy and factually inaccurate.
It would take far too long and too many words to detail what's wrong with this production, and you don't want the spoilers anyway. So I'll give you the mile-high viewpoint, and if you watch, see if you agree.
Above all, this is yet another depiction of the 19th and 20th Century chock-full of spurious 21st Century mores. As if people THEN thought the same way people do NOW. That ruins the historicity of it for me.
The writers are far too intent on preaching modernist socio-political thought to give you an accurate depiction of life in rural England in the 1910s, 20s and 30s.
In every instance of moral dilemma - which after all is what drama is inevitably about - what someone WANTS is always given precedence over what they OUGHT to do from a traditional ethical and moral perspective. In fact, "what one ought to do" is uniformly presented as stunted or even evil. No, you shouldn't honor your marriage vows if you FEEL like doing something else. No, you shouldn't hold fast to your religious convictions, because religion is for nutters. Feel like having sex on the spur of the moment? Go for it; it's what you WANT to do (outmoded ideas of moral fidelity are barbaric anyway).
I watched this because the actors in the drama manage to rise above bad writing and horribly inaccurate social history. The scenes of rural life are breathtaking.
But the story is not. It's maudlin, prissy and factually inaccurate.
Bleak reality of British poverty in the Class System
pavelb-968-4468514 March 2015
Warning: Spoilers
Beautifully acted bleak reality of a poor village as The British Empire starts to wind down. The photography is wonderful with some of the scenes appearing to be black and white, which they are not. Typical of BBC, it's not always possible to hear what is being said but it will become clear when you view a second time. Mother Middleton is spectacular – they did make her red-haired! I really enjoyed her in "Silk", but this role is a triumph. The opening episode with our young Bert being punished for being left handed hits home for me – my own father forced me (not brutally thank heavens) to write with my right – it was a different time. Bert's way of making money by entertaining his village-mates is amazing and you instantly get the impression he is true leadership potential. His willingness to take what the teacher dishes out quickly makes him special - is he deliberately taunting his sadistic school master? The development of the characters is masterful, Moffat never tells all, but just enough that you eventually form your impression. The truth about The Lord of the Manor, the Vicar, Vicar's daughter, the Investigator, all become apparent in this first series, but nothing is crystal clear. I was struck by how close this mirrors so many societies where it's all too easy to make quick assumptions. The treatment of the immediate post-war de-mob situation might have been too gentle as perhaps was the treatment of the Spanish Flu epidemic. These were horrible times as returning soldiers discovered they were not needed anymore. Series 1 is probably the best I've seen from BBC, ever, but is not for the viewer who wants razz, colourful costumes and sparkling wit. There's a lot of "British understatement" here which makes it very real. I eagerly await the second series.
A Fantastic Start but.....................
grimswold29 August 2014
I watched the first series of the village and was completely glued. The events surrounding the first world war were particularly moving and made one think of how terrible a time it must have been. The time generally, of course, was quite hard for the working class people and this and the class divide are vividly brought to life in this well shot and directed series. John Simm and Maxine Peake are always great and they don't disappoint in this, indeed all of the acting is excellent. The story is gritty and mainly revolves around a couple of families with other characters dipping in and out of the story. Having said all of that I am utterly perplexed as to why the second series has suddenly become: 'The Village - a period soap'. Why on earth are we suddenly faced with what female loves what male etc. etc. to the exclusion of any real meat on the bones? I for one would like a return to what life must have been like and what challenges people faced at the time rather than tipping my hat to Mr and Mrs, or whatever the case may be. So I have to give the second series a rather paltry 4 out of 10 and hope that someone sees some sense and doesn't miss a great opportunity to carry on making a more realistic program that has an edge to it.
..meanwhile - up at the Big House................
ianlouisiana24 September 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Those Oxbridge types at the BBC keep up their perpetual sniping at their fellow nobs by portraying them as Lord Snooty and his pals whilst the noble working man is struggling to throw off his chains. Every class - war cliché is trotted out as life at the two ends of the spectrum is compared and contrasted like a first year S.P.S. undergraduate's essay. Too simplistic by far to be taken seriously with braying aristos and noble plebs abounding,"The Village" is like "Catherine Cookson presents with pretensions and overacting. In fact Miss Cookson had a far better grasp of the divisions in English society.
Remarkable piece of social history
PippinInOz24 September 2014
Warning: Spoilers
I have just been reading the other reviews here - and like so many other viewers clearly were, I too was moved deeply by this excellent and important piece of television. Important? Well yes, because
This is a piece of period drama which manages to somehow capture the pace of life in a small village during the time frame. Every character is richly realised, from the appalling (the 'shrink') to the ambiguous (the ex -Detective with the war injury).
The central family, as are all of the working people here, are portrayed with respect and humanity, whilst not avoiding the weaknesses of individuals. The drunk husband and father for example. One of my favourite scenes was of the women of the village gossiping in the public baths - perfectly realised.
If you want to see a fresh perspective on the commemorations for World War One - please see this. The final episode, for me, is a poignant reminder of just how much the commemoration of all the dead was not a 'given', but an emotionally powerful battle as to the nature of that commemoration. When Maxine Peake's character stands up and argues that the one moment every year to 'remember' is just another way for those in power to control the way we remember.......welling up just thinking of it actually. Similarly, as a response to Downton Abbey and the 'golden days before the first war', she also states it was not so golden for most people. I know there are many other reviewers here who felt as strongly affected by this as myself.
Trust us - it might be a slower pace than other television, but sit down, switch off the phone and allow this programme to wash - first over you - and then right into you. It will steal your heart and make you reflect, not just on the past, but on the present.
This is a piece of period drama which manages to somehow capture the pace of life in a small village during the time frame. Every character is richly realised, from the appalling (the 'shrink') to the ambiguous (the ex -Detective with the war injury).
The central family, as are all of the working people here, are portrayed with respect and humanity, whilst not avoiding the weaknesses of individuals. The drunk husband and father for example. One of my favourite scenes was of the women of the village gossiping in the public baths - perfectly realised.
If you want to see a fresh perspective on the commemorations for World War One - please see this. The final episode, for me, is a poignant reminder of just how much the commemoration of all the dead was not a 'given', but an emotionally powerful battle as to the nature of that commemoration. When Maxine Peake's character stands up and argues that the one moment every year to 'remember' is just another way for those in power to control the way we remember.......welling up just thinking of it actually. Similarly, as a response to Downton Abbey and the 'golden days before the first war', she also states it was not so golden for most people. I know there are many other reviewers here who felt as strongly affected by this as myself.
Trust us - it might be a slower pace than other television, but sit down, switch off the phone and allow this programme to wash - first over you - and then right into you. It will steal your heart and make you reflect, not just on the past, but on the present.
Harsh excellent
kennprop5 August 2018
Excellent photography and detailed realistic sets, dress, and etc. The bleak reality of farm life in a small isolated Yorkshire farm. When I think of England it is the England of the countryside , small villages and farms.This York. program is set earlier than Herriots era. It shows the brutal reality of life before social program s to aid in support. One could say this life was kind of glossed over in Herriots series and Downton Abbey dom.
My wifes reaction was the series was depressing. I think it is a realistic one. A quality British TV program. I has it all. Ingrained idiot upper class, local folk in awe of these fools while carrying water and doing their scut work. Activist suffragette , innocent patriotic war fervor, WW1 and enlisting as a positive move up. Very limited prospects in the country - I think a mass movement to the cities had been happening during this period. Prospects n the UK had gotten worse as competition with other nations- Germany and the US intensified.
Quality TV.
One of the best I've ever seen and I watch alot
gaarondawson-3964430 March 2021
To say this is absorbing is an understatement. The writers spared no detail when writing about the brutality of village life in early 20th century England. The story is fascinating. The characters are multi dimensional. It left me thinking about the story days later. The content is so rich you need to watch it multiple times to absorb the depth. You end up mourning for characters who exit the storyline. I'm a BBC period piece junkie. This is easily one of the best of the hundreds, if not thousands I've seen. My other favorites include Foyle's War, The Forsyte Saga and The Way We Live Now. It deserves the IMDB rating it's received from everyone who's rated it.
Another time and place
lawnmorgan2 August 2018
The Village is an emotional workout. The British create period dramas and produce actors that paint pictures of period life. In modern day America, we have no clue of the hardships of WW I and II Europe. Dramas such as this gives us a glimpse.
After two great episodes it lost its way
marcssubs21 February 2021
My wife and I loved episodes 1 and 2. After that it seemed like things moved too slowly... work episodes 3 and 4 not gripping us. Episode 5 was good but seemed a little disjointed (we even had to double check the DVD to make sure we have actually missed an episode). After finishing episode 6, we decided it wasn't worth watching season 2 despite those episodes being on the DVD.
The Village -- A Reminder for Our Time
ianfclark15 September 2014
First, I just love Maxine Peake. Her relationship with Peter Moffat is so reminiscent of that between Billie Whitelaw and Samuel Beckett. For me, she can do no wrong...but this series, about a working Derbyshire family with its sometimes unremitting grimness of life, has more...
The entire cast portrays three-dimensional living, loving, flawed characters. No bland platitudes of Downton Abbey with its Karma Sutra of master-servant relationships, but an honest look at the exploitation of class and the difficulty of getting through it all. Even the Allinghams, the "toffs" in this masterpiece, are complex and edgy.
The series is just wonderfuland the now final episode brought me to tears with a combination of beautiful, "can't see the wheels go round" acting, occasional music, and political passion.
The message for today is underlined by Pikerty in his "Capital." The one-percent rich are still with us and the exploitation of the working man is almost complete (and that includes middle class professionals) as automation makes their labor irrelevant. The rich can at last reflect on their fortune, in both senses, and convince themselves they have done it all themselves. The Allinghams march on, as so do we, the Middletons, and Tolpuddle Martyrs of this world...remember, "they are few, but we are many."
This gritty series is so relevant today, so much more than a nostalgic review of languid privilege. It points the way. Socialism is not dead, but is needed for the coming years - that and passion.
This series has it all. It's the best of television since Dennis Potter.
The entire cast portrays three-dimensional living, loving, flawed characters. No bland platitudes of Downton Abbey with its Karma Sutra of master-servant relationships, but an honest look at the exploitation of class and the difficulty of getting through it all. Even the Allinghams, the "toffs" in this masterpiece, are complex and edgy.
The series is just wonderfuland the now final episode brought me to tears with a combination of beautiful, "can't see the wheels go round" acting, occasional music, and political passion.
The message for today is underlined by Pikerty in his "Capital." The one-percent rich are still with us and the exploitation of the working man is almost complete (and that includes middle class professionals) as automation makes their labor irrelevant. The rich can at last reflect on their fortune, in both senses, and convince themselves they have done it all themselves. The Allinghams march on, as so do we, the Middletons, and Tolpuddle Martyrs of this world...remember, "they are few, but we are many."
This gritty series is so relevant today, so much more than a nostalgic review of languid privilege. It points the way. Socialism is not dead, but is needed for the coming years - that and passion.
This series has it all. It's the best of television since Dennis Potter.
Best Series we've seen in a while!
samcbrid13 April 2022
Through the pandemic we've pretty much watched all the recent offerings, and stumbled upon The Village. Wow, are we ever glad that we gave it a try. Excellent story with the right mix of villains and heroes. Highly recommended.
Depressed yet?
nateso20 January 2024
I thought I would love this as a good historical series with beautiful scenery. It starts out well with good character development led by the old man retelling his life stories. I had to stop at episode three, realizing that this series has every trope and stereotype you can think of. There's the drunk father, abusive husband, rampant misogyny, mean abusive school teacher and corrupt business owners, in this case boot makers. Really, there isn't a scene in it so far that makes you want to keep watching. Awful men in every category including the soldiers. Surely there had to be SOME good people you could have included.
The Village 2014
susannahboothroyd25 April 2021
I have just discovered and watched the first 2 seasons of The Village and cannot believe that the third season was ever cancelled. It was absolutely amazing with a incredible story line and cast.
What were the BBC thinking.
What were the BBC thinking.
Kudos to All
margaretrsargent19 February 2022
This is one of the best series I have ever seen, and I have seen many. In particular, I loved the acting of John Simm in this. He was given such a rich, complex character to play- first as an abusive alcoholic, then becoming a "witnessing" Christian, and finally, towards the end of the series, gradually changing into a good father, so that his youngest child knew and lived with a very different father than his older sons experienced. Not to mention what happens to Simm's character at the end, which the actor handles with grace and seamlessness.
My raves about Simm's acting do not take away anything from the superb acting of Maxine Peale, who portrays a strong mother who too changes and grows throughout the series. In fact, "changes and grows" is the reason I love this series. Too many tv series today have either essentially unlikeable leading characters, or static individuals who neither change nor grow. In this show, we are given the treat of watching human beings live their lives, and sometimes they even learn from their mistakes. That's what makes us care, I think. Throughout the series I am rooting for Grace, Bert, Joe, John, the teacher, and even some of the family up at the Big House.
The other series that makes me root for characters is Downton Abbey, to which this series is often compared. "A bleaker Downton Abbey", some reviewers say, either liking the bleakness or not. And yet for me, although "The Village " portrays many of the harsh realities of the poor at that time, it is ultimately a hopeful series.
Finally, I want to say something about the scenery. While it was usually breathtakingly beautiful, that beauty served to underscore, even put a punctuation point, on the tragedies and occasional joys that took place there. Thus, the scenery became another character, sometimes a mocking one: "Yes, I'm beautiful, but I'm not gonna make your life any easier."
The series was riveting, expertly portrayed, and most of all, true. A giant thank you to all who gave us this gift.
My raves about Simm's acting do not take away anything from the superb acting of Maxine Peale, who portrays a strong mother who too changes and grows throughout the series. In fact, "changes and grows" is the reason I love this series. Too many tv series today have either essentially unlikeable leading characters, or static individuals who neither change nor grow. In this show, we are given the treat of watching human beings live their lives, and sometimes they even learn from their mistakes. That's what makes us care, I think. Throughout the series I am rooting for Grace, Bert, Joe, John, the teacher, and even some of the family up at the Big House.
The other series that makes me root for characters is Downton Abbey, to which this series is often compared. "A bleaker Downton Abbey", some reviewers say, either liking the bleakness or not. And yet for me, although "The Village " portrays many of the harsh realities of the poor at that time, it is ultimately a hopeful series.
Finally, I want to say something about the scenery. While it was usually breathtakingly beautiful, that beauty served to underscore, even put a punctuation point, on the tragedies and occasional joys that took place there. Thus, the scenery became another character, sometimes a mocking one: "Yes, I'm beautiful, but I'm not gonna make your life any easier."
The series was riveting, expertly portrayed, and most of all, true. A giant thank you to all who gave us this gift.
Dark and wonderful
yvetteszparaga30 November 2018
The theme running through this series is the injustice heaped upon the good folk of this Derbyshire village by the times they lived in, and it would be equally unjust to pick out any individual of this amazing ensemble cast. The depth of the characters is only equal to the grandeur of the backdrop of the Peak District; Derbyshire has never looked better. This is a truly wonderful series, Stephen Moffat has excelled, yet again.
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