Cold Comfort Farm (1995) (TV)

User Rating:

7.3/10   

Director:

John Schlesinger

Writers:

Stella Gibbons (novel) and
Malcolm Bradbury (writer)

Release Date:

10 May 1996 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance

Tagline:

She discovered a new branch of her family tree... the one with all the nuts.

Plot:

In England in the early 1930's, 20 year old Flora Poste, recently orphaned and left with only 100 pounds a year...

Plot Keywords:

Farm | Birth Control | Marriage Proposal | Rural | Train

Awards:

2 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Eileen Atkins	...	Judith Starkadder
Kate Beckinsale	...	Flora Poste
Sheila Burrell	...	Ada Doom
Stephen Fry	...	Mybug
Freddie Jones	...	Adam Lambsbreath
Joanna Lumley	...	Mrs. Mary Smiling
Ian McKellen	...	Amos Starkadder
Miriam Margolyes	...	Mrs. Beetle
Rufus Sewell	...	Seth Starkadder
Ivan Kaye	...	Reuben Starkadder
Jeremy Peters	...	Urk
Maria Miles	...	Elfine Starkadder
Christopher Bowen	...	Charles Fairford
Louise Rea	...	Meriam Beetle
Sophie Revell	...	Rennet

MPAA:

Rated PG for brief sensuality and language.

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White | Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Iceland:L | Netherlands:AL | Australia:G | Finland:K-8 | Germany:6 (bw) | Spain:T | Sweden:Btl | UK:PG | USA:PG | Singapore:PG | Australia:PG (cable rating)

Filming Locations:

Brightling, East Sussex, England, UK

Company:

BBC Films

Trivia:

Freddie Jones, who plays Adam Lambsbreath, played Dr. Mudel and Urk in the 1968 TV movie version of "Cold Comfort Farm" (1968)

Quotes:

Charles: Do you ever think of getting married?
Flora Poste: I believe in arranged marriages, don't you?
Charles: Rather out of date.
Flora Poste: Not at all. I've always like the phrase, "A marriage has been arranged." When I feel like it, I'll arrange one.

Movie Connections:

Version of "Cold Comfort Farm" (1968)

Amusing, or diverting...not "such fun"

I simply adore this movie! From beginning to end it shines with wit and hilarious depravity. Having read the book, I think it safe to say that this is one of the best transitions from page to screen. Everyone is perfectly cast in this - particularly Kate Beckinsale as Flora, Joanna Lumley as Mrs. Smiling, Eileen Atkins as Judith and Ian McKellen as Amos. Rufus Sewell makes for great eye-candy as Seth, and the virtually unknown Maria Miles is adorable as Elfine. Aunt Ada Doom, played by Sheila Burrell, constantly reminds us that "There have always been Starkadders at Cold Comfort Farm," and although it's probably best to keep it that way, she's in for a few surprises. Flora's dealings with Mr. Mybug, hysterically portrayed by Stephen Fry, are alone worth the price of renting this movie.

Flora's decision to go to Cold Comfort Farm after her parents die sets the tone for the rest of the movie; it sounds "Interesting and appalling...the others just sound appalling!" If you want a good chuckle, or just love good British humor, by all means, see this movie!