The Woodlanders

Into the Woods
A shorter version of a longer 1997 film of one of Thomas Hardy's lesser-known novels has been released in America on this bare-bones DVD. It will please viewers unfamiliar with the entire film as much as displease those who have seen the original or read the novel, the author's favorite of all his works. Characters, backstories and nuances that are Hardy trademarks are given short shrift in both versions. Not to worry, however. Newcomers to "The Woodlanders" will like this re-edited film, reduced and refocused as it is, because it is so well cast, acted, directed and photographed in beautiful locations. The film confirms that Hardy is as superb a storyteller as he is a social commentator.

A timber merchant sends his daughter (Emily Woof) off to school but welcomes home less a country lass than an educated woman who is now ill at ease among her kith and kin, including the young woodcutter (Rufus Sewell) she promised to marry. Instead, she marries a class-conscious doctor...

The Woodlanders
This is a good film but I have seen the original version (region 2) and sadly this region 1 DVD is missing crucial scenes, leaving some glaring holes in the story, particularly concerning the excellent Polly Walker's character, Mrs. Charmond. Had I not read the novel and seen the original film, I would have missed some important elements.

The cast is top rate, particularly Rufus Sewell and Emily Woof, in her first starring role.

OK, but certainly should have been longer
Previous reviews go a long way toward explaining what's wrong with this movie -- it's been injudiciously and unwisely cut! As it stands, it's not a bad use of an hour and a half -- compared to what's probably showing on network TV at the time. But it could have been great had the US distributor left it alone as it was shown in Britain.

I agree with previous reviewers who mention that the story seems rushed and the characterizations somewhat superficial. What a lost opportunity.

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