Period drama hailed ‘perfect in every way’ is now free to watch
Vanessa Redgrave stars in the film adaptation of Virginia Woolf’s classic 1925 novel
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The film is based on a Virginia Woolf novel (Image: BBC)
Period drama enthusiasts are being encouraged to tune into a film adaptation of Virginia Woolf’s 1925 novel, available for free streaming on BBC iPlayer. The film, one of many superb period dramas based on novels, seamlessly transitions between the present and past as it delves into the life of a woman married to a successful London politician.
Set in 1923, the narrative initially centres around a woman named Clarissa, but intertwined with her story is that of another couple – Septimus and his wife Rezia. Septimus, a decorated officer from the First World War, is haunted by traumatic flashbacks, while his wife is desperate to secure him psychiatric assistance.
The film in question is Mrs Dalloway, featuring Vanessa Redgrave in the lead role, Rupert Graves as Septimus Warren Smith, and Amelia Bullmore as Rezia Warren Smith. The film is an adaptation of Virginia Woolf’s novel of the same name, which was originally two short stories.
In October 2005, Mrs Dalloway earned a spot on TIME Magazine’s list of the 100 best English-language novels penned since its inaugural issue in 1923. It chronicles a day in the life of Clarissa Dalloway, an upper-class woman in post-First World War England.
The film adaptation garnered positive feedback from critics and currently holds a 71 per cent approval rating on the review aggregator site, Rotten Tomatoes, reports the Express.
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Vanessa Redgrave plays the older version of the title character(Image: BBC)
Home viewers flocked to IMDb to share their reactions, with DaughterNo2 awarding it a perfect 10 out of 10, describing it as “simply divine”. They continued: “This period film is rich in character, lush scenery of London and divine costumes.
“Vanessa Redgrave is simply lovely. I thoroughly enjoyed the building of the story by interchanging flashbacks with current time. The movie encourages one that hasn’t read the novel by Virginia Woolf to do so.”
User johnsimpsonhenley declared the film “perfect in every way”, noting: “This is a very enjoyable film, a brilliant adaptation of the book.”
Meanwhile, Gaiter88 praised it as “a beautiful adaptation of a wonderful book”.
They elaborated: “In essence, when I watched this film it charmed me for an hour and a half, and then when it was finished left me questioning the value of my life, and important decision I had made, and was yet to make, which if you have ever read it is exactly what the book does.”
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The period drama stars a young Lena Headey(Image: BBC)
Reviewer isnogud-der-grosswesir hailed it a “sublime adaptation of an essential novel”, explaining: “This film is VERY little less than a masterpiece! It actually works on several levels, all blending effortlessly together.
“Redgrave is absolutely sublime and shows what a great actress she really is – she sails through the film with grace and dignity and lends real spirit to the character whom she plays.
“Surrounded by a stellar cast, most notably Graves and McElhone she makes this film a sheer delight to watch.”
The production features Natascha McElhone in the role of Young Clarissa. Fans might also spot a youthful Lena Headey, known for her role in Game of Thrones, who features as Young Sally. The actress would have been in her early twenties during the filming.
Mrs Dalloway can be streamed on BBC iPlayer.
SOURCE: MIRROR