Syl
I got this video series since I was researching life in the Victorian era. I like Christina and the cast of actors and actresses like Peter Copley. I don't recognize most of them unless I see their names here. It's the story of an orphaned girl moving to the Flambards where they have horses. Christina McKenna is wonderful as Christine. The cast of characters includes the Lord of the Manor and servants who remind you of life on the manor and estate. The Lord of the Manor is a reviled, unhappy creature. It's Christina who tries hard to help bridge the gaps between rich and poor, upper and lower classes. The art direction is quite sufficient and the cast is quite good at acting and the writing is adequate at best.
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.
lauracooke5
i first watched Flambards in 2001 when my mum bought it on video. i thought it was great but as i was only 11, didn't quite understand all of it, i watched it again this week and got instantly addicted to it! it had me laughing, crying and marvelling and how much times have changed! also i immediately thought Mark Russell absolutely gorgeous!!! i also took a liking to Dick Wright. I think in all, they are all fantastic actors and know how to work a character! Second time round i understood it and i was moved greatly by it. Anyone, all ages should watch Flambards!!! i also cant stop whistling the theme tune.... very catchy!!! Flambards is brilliant!
