Grimerlana Plenty to Like, Plenty to Dislike

Rosie Searle It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

Sarita Rafferty There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

Logan By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

wforstchen A girl friend while I was in graduate school coaxed me into watching an episode saying "it was my type of show," and I finally agreed to watch, just to be polite. At first I thought I had to just endure a "chick flick" night but found myself absolutely captivated by the series. It has an easy relaxing slow pace and for this guy, the fascinating delight regarding the very early days of aviation. I fly an antique airplane and thus another reason I love this series since it captures that wonderful sense of excitement and adventure for those first aviators, and of course the delightful young lady who loved them. It carries with it as well a sense of poignancy for a world about to be lost in the trenches and the skies over Belgium and France. If you wish to enjoy a simple relaxing series, that recreates the essence of rural life in England pre-World War I, this series is for you.

flamfan I first saw these programmes in 79 when I was 11 years old, I absolutely loved it. I've recently bought the series on DVD, and couldn't wait to get some time to myself to watch each episode. I cant get it out of my head! The story, the music, it's all just wonderful. It's not long since I finished the whole series, and I've already started watching them all again. The locations and costumes were spot on for that period. Looking out now for Alan Parnabys more recent work, he was so good as William Russell I've fallen in love with him all over again! Would love to know more about the actors, where they're from, where they are now, their ages etc. There have been many TV series and films that I've seen over the years, but nothing has got to me quite like Flambards!!

Ruby Liang (ruby_fff) So glad the "Flambards" 1978 TV series from UK (previously aired on PBS) is available on DVD in 3-disc pack, containing all 13 episodes, 50 minutes each. Not to worry, it's quite easy to be hooked and wanted to, yes, spend time with William and Christina, endearingly portrayed by Alan Parnaby and Christine McKenna. I must say the wonderful music by David Fanshawe, applied to the various moods of the episodes is tuneful - the catchy whistling music, melodic tempo and poignant tones thoroughly enhanced the viewing delight of this series.My favorite episodes are #7 (The Edge of the Cloud) and #8 (Flying High). You're definitely spending time - flying, too (cross the Channel) with the loving pair of William and Christina, along with the refreshing song being sung: 'I will sing you a song of Christina, Christina at Flambards'. The adaptation from K. M. Peyton's novels is very well done thanks to the efforts of the directors (Lawrence Gordon Clark, Peter Duffell, Michael Ferguson, Leonard Lewis) and writers (Alex Glasgow, William Humble, Alan Plater). The dialogs - the marvelous use of words precisely - are so satisfying to hear Parnaby and McKenna saying them. Sporadically accented are new world vocabulary: subservient, incorrigible, suffragette, emancipated. The two leads are so excellently paired that we're literally in their world sharing the flying adventures, quietly listening to their wooing exchanges. Watching the fantastic foursome interaction of Will and Christina, Dorothy and Sandy, is simply joyous.It's not just descriptions of Essex, England, where Peyton lived, the horses she loved, the lives people led at Flambards, her references to aeronautical, aerodynamic terms and flying situations sure make one feel informed. If you like flying or the notion there of, Episodes 7 and 8 are definitely fun to watch. Fanshawe's music hauntingly matches the emotional levels of the drama - simply love the lilting piano piece during the "loop the loop".The series is successful not without an effective cast: Steven Grives as Mark - the other Russell cousin to Christina (who's also in love with Christina but didn't know how to express it), he played Mark so well that he's repelling yet likable at times. Carol Leader as Dorothy, high-spirited and winning smiles, a true girlfriend to Christina and can sure handle Mark. Sebastian Abineri as Dick (Wright, who taught Christina how to ride horses and one of the three men who's in love with Christina at Flambards), Peter Settelen as Sandy at Elm Park, Edward Judd as the grumpy Uncle Russell, Anton Diffring as Mr. Dermot the alternate 'father' to Will, David Huscroft as Joe the mechanic to 'Emma', Frank Mills as Fowler and Rosalie Williams as Mary - the 'staples' at Flambards, Olive Pendleton as Aunt Grace, Gillian Davey as Violet Wright, and young Paul Ahmet as Tizzy.Truly recommend "Flambards" - enjoy the drama, chemistry of characters, excitement of flying machine ventures, poetry of Peyton's words - a warm-hearted, engaging TV series assured.

urthlvr my mom suggested that i might like this show, it had horses and was set in england. i was about 14 or so. and i loved it. but we moved to a place where our PBS reception was terrible (no cable). but every time it came on, i would try to watch it thru the bad reception. it was a happy day for me when i found it for sale.i find the ending so poignant...mark's thoughts about finally growing up and dick's conversation with christina about inheriting the earth. so much that was lost during WWI, and the hope for the future.a wonderful coming of age and growing up into adulthood story.