The Mill On The Floss [1996]

Customer Reviews:

Actors are let out by lamentable directing.......2008-03-05

What is so infuriating about this film is that I know Emily Watson is a capable actress, and I've always admired Bernard Hill. But both sink deep deep down into the abyss of mediocrity as the film progresses, debilitated by a director who apparently slept through the lectures on 'blocking' at film school, and doodled over his notes on speech. The dialogue here is so stilted, and the dialect so inconsistent, that it is difficult to believe it is being performed by a professional cast.

In the novel one of the most essential features of Maggie, the protagonist, is her wild, dark beauty - the catalyst for her suitors' love, and thus (along with Mr. Tulliver's 'pigheadedness') the greatest cause of tragedy in the novel. However I refuse to believe, whatever her acting capacities may be (not exhibited in this film), that Emily Watson's looks would lure a handsome man like Stephen (dismal actor), even if Philip's attraction to her is not altogether incredible. Worst of all is the fact that her eyes are blue, despite the fact that almost every time she describes Maggie, Eliot stresses the beguiling blackness of her eyes...

The plot is a thoroughly weeded down version of that of the novel, and contains several minor changes, which will jar in the mind of a purist, but doubtless pass by unnoticed to those unfamiliar with the novel. However it is essential in a film translation of Mill on the Floss, perhaps more than for any other Eliot novel, to portray in depth the psyche of the characters and the events that alter their lives, since without all this, the eminently depressing ending comes across as a grandiose and sentimental finale to an insubstantial story. Such is the case with this production.

My advice would be to spend your money instead on Polanski's magnificent production of Tess of the D'Urbevilles, a simillar, but considerably more profound and moving tale.

decent, workaday, enjoyable ; not outstanding.......2008-02-24

This is an enjoyable version of George Eliot's warm-hearted and melancholy novel. Visually it's good, with a lovely Dorlecote Mill and pleasant English rural scenes. Emily Watson is well cast as Maggie, Bernard Hill as her father, and all other characters are competently rendered. There is a very good visual likeness between the actors who play Maggie, Tom and Philip as children and their adult counterparts. The music is very appropriate - English, rural, yearning. But for all that, it never really seems to get off the ground. I don't really know why this is, because it is never bad, but it never seems to be really good either. Anyway, I enjoyed it, it held my interest, but I cannot give it a strong recommendation.

A Classic and Beautiful Story..........2007-08-11

I saw this when it was first shown on the BBC 10 years ago, and although I am not usually attracted by 'period pieces' this one had me hooked. The story has haunted me ever since and I have been waiting for years to see this again. Then just a few months ago (Spring 2007) it was shown again on the BBC, but I missed the first half of it. Am I glad to see it is now available on DVD.

And as for our friend from France who was disappointed by the ending - you have obviously never known true love...

very disappointing.......2007-01-04

i wanted to write a review of the film because i think the third piece of advice is still the best.
yes, most of this film is beautiful. But what was the point in making a film with such an end. it's gripping till the end and then you are disappointed and feel like the film was not worth buying.

A faithful and moving adaptation of the classic novel.......2006-05-07

I'll be honest - in my opinion, this TV film by the BBC is worth around 4 or 4 1/2 stars. However, the inexplicably negative single review already on amazon.co.uk for this title has prompted me to even things out a little.
I have read George Eliot's novel, and subsequently found the film highly faithful to the spirit of the original text. If this fidelity means that the adaptation is measured and thoughtful rather than action-packed and mindless, then so be it. The performances of the cast are uniformly moving and absorbing, particularly Emily Watson in the title role of the heroine. Her portrayal is subtle, nuanced and deeply felt, pre-dating her breakthrough performance in Breaking the waves.
Well worthwhile!!

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