birdienl | Entries tagged with period drama challenge

In 1958, becoming a secretary is small-town-girl Rose Pamphyle's greatest dream. She is overjoyed when she is hired by the moody insurance agent Louis Échard. Louis soon learns that Rose is an uncommonly fast typist and decides to train her for the national speedtyping competition, making a bet with his friend Bob that Rose can win. As Louis and Rose spend much time together, sparks begin to fly, but Louis only wants Rose to concentrate on winning the competition.

( Read more... )

In the late 18th century, Ross Poldark returns to his family and home in Cornwall after having served in the army. Upon his return, he finds his father dead, the mine he owned closed and his beloved Elizabeth engaged to his cousin Francis. Ross starts on rebuilding his families estate, but has to fight against the greedy Warleggan bankers. He rescues the young woman Demelza and offers her a place as his kitched maid.

Anyone even a little interested in period drama can hardly have missed the buzz that this tv-series created when it aired on the BBC last year. It was hailed as everything from 'the next Downton Abbey' to 'the next Pride and Prejudice' and scored high ratings. So ofcourse I was curious!

( Read more... )

Look at this: Miss Laurie from Old-Fashioned Charm is organizing a Period Drama Challenge again, like she did in 2013! The challenge is given to inspire people to review the period dramas they watch and I'm going to join. I'm choosing the level Period Drama Lover, which means I plan to review 8 productions between now and July 2nd.

I'm watching Poldark at the moment (and loving it so far!), when I finish that (and review ofcourse), I have some other period dramas on my TBW (to be watched) list:

Series/mini-series:
- Indian Summers (1930's, Channel 4)
- Home Fires (WWII, BBC)
- ANZAC girls (WWI, Australian production)
- Passing Bells (WWI, BBC)
~~- When Calls the Heart series 2 (1910s, Hallmark)~~

Movies:
- The red baron (WWI)
- The Monuments Men (WWII)
- Summer in February (Edwardian)
- Red Tails (WWII)
- Brooklyn (1950s)
- Belle (Georgian)

What do you think of my list? Are there any you've already seen and you would suggest me to watch ASAP? Do you have other suggestions?

Maybe some of you would like to join as well? Then click the banner, which will bring you to Miss Laurie's blog!

The first series of Call the Midwife was an unexpected success in the Spring of 2012. The second series, with 8 in stead of 6 episodes and its very own Christmas Special, brings us again to Poplar, London's challenged area in the 1950s and deeper into the life of its inhabitant and ofcourse its midwifes.

( I found a purpose and a path, and I worked with a passion for the best reason of all - I did it for love. )

This review was written for the Period Drama Challenge at Old-Fashioned Charm

Current Mood: thankful

During WWII women were offered many jobs previously only done by men. Among them were Susan, Millie, Lucy and Jean, the four women we get to know in The Bletchley Circle. They worked at Bletchley Park, the secret location where German messages in code language were deciphered. Now, some seven years later, the women have started new lives and lost touch. Susan is now a mother of two children and a housewife. Listening to news on the radio about a murderer who seems to prey on young women, Susan believes she's picked up a pattern in his behaviour. When the police does not take her ideas seriously, Susan contacts her former colleagues and convinces them together they can solve this mystery before another woman falls prey. But are they aware of the dangers this might pose to themselves?

( We treat the killings like a code, keep at it till we break it! )
This review was written for the Period Drama Challenge at Old-Fashioned Charm

Current Mood: thoughtful

For the occasion of the London 2012 Olympics, the BBC produced two feature length period films, focusing on important events in British Olympic history. I already knew of this movies last summer and also wanted to watch them around the Olympics, but you know the drill: so much to see, so little time... A few weeks ago I finally managed to watch Bert & Dickie and The best of men and here's what I thought of them.

In Bert & Dickie, we meet rower Bert Bushnell, a young working class boy who hopes to qualify for the upcoming 1948 London Olympics. But in stead of a place in his beloved single sculls, he is chosen to compete in the double sculls with privileged and rich Dickie Burnell. The two men, strangers to each other, are thrown together just five weeks before the Games and have to train hard to form a team and satisfy the expectations of the country.

( I want you to be one half of that team. The question is, do you want it? )

The best of men takes place towards the end of WWII at the Stoke Mandeville hospital. Many young men left partially paralysed by the war are cared for here. When dr. Ludwig Guttmann, a German refugee, starts to work at Stoke Mandeville, he is appalled to see the men sedated and left to spend all day lying in bed. He soon starts to change the hospital regime, involving the patients in musical entertainment and sporting activities, which brings him into conflict with the rest of the hospital staff.

( 'National' implies the best. The National cricket team, the National rugby team. What are these people the best of? The best of men! )

This review was written for the Period Drama Challenge at Old-Fashioned Charm

Current Mood: weird

In 1862, the French author Victor Hugo wrote the nove Les Miserables, which is often mentioned to be among the greatest 19th century novels. In 1980, the book was adapted into a musical, which became one of the longest-running Broadway productions ever. Now, a movie has been made of this musical with the wonderful Tom Hooper (The King's Speech) as a director and starring well-known actors such as Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway and Russel Crowe. With such a legacy, isn't this bound to be an epic movie?

( Who will be strong and stand with me? Beyond the barricades, is there a world you long to see? )

This review was written for the Period Drama Challenge at Old-Fashioned Charm

Current Mood: sleepy

Young country-girl Denise Lovett comes to the city with the intention of working in her uncle's drapers shop. But just across the street a fancy department store has started and attracted all customers away from the small shops, so Denise's uncle is simply not able to upkeep an extra employee. Denise sees no other option than to apply for a job at the alluring department store 'The Paradise'. Soon she is excelling in her work as a sales girl there and making friends with the other employees. Enigmatic and ambitious store owner John Moray is courting socialite Katherine Glendenning and hopes to lend money from her rich father to expand his store. But he is also intrigued by intelligent Denise and often seeks her out to discuss new ideas for his store.

( Sir, the ladies will be here soon. Gentleman are not allowed in here. )

This is my first review for the Period Drama Challenge I'm participating in via the blog Old-Fashioned Charm. As late last year I had already started reviewing more of the movies and series I watch and this was also a sort of New Year's resolution for 2013, this challenge was a nice way to make sure I keep up!

As the challenge asks to review family-friendly movies ór mention it when they are not, you will see a short paragraph about content below the reviews I write for the Period Drama Challenge.

Current Mood: okay

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Journal of a Dutch 30-something

Entries tagged with period drama challenge

Movie review: Populaire (2012)

TV review: Poldark series 1

Period Drama Challenge

Call the Midwife series 2

The Bletchley Circle

Bert and Dickie/The best of men

Les Misérables (2012)

The Paradise

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February 2018

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