Daniel Deronda (DVD, 2003)

I love movies based in the past. This was very well done and there were no disgusting scenes in it.I also like movies that give you a window into the real past.

I absolutely loved this production. The scenery, the costumes, the acting. I love watching period movies. Good story.

As period piece British dramas go, this is about a 4/5. The climax in the story
is not as unexpected as others I've seen, but the cast & the acting are great--you'll find yourself identifying with the hero and hating the villain(s).
This was also the first time I've seen Hugh Dancy in a lead role--you shall see
more of him in "Behind the Gate" (about violence in Africa), "Evening" and
"Jane Austen Book Club".

yourself identifying with the

This movie provides focus for the book George Eliot wrote, clearly staying on topic where she tended attempt epic proportions. The situation is surprisingly modern, following the lives of a cache of fatherless young adults. The story is replete with both young and old narcissists and explores their effect on their relationships - co-dependents watch out! This movie includes one distinctly warm "father/son" relationship, something I find rarely depicted in period literature. Fathers are mostly absent, distant or just plain silly - compare with the fathers in "The Moonstone" "Armdale" or "Jane Eyre" for example. The costumes and scenery is lush and beautiful, the title character not just a nice piece of eye candy - but a multi-faceted man as well.

Daniel Deronda was a great movie. It's best to watch it when you have a lot of time to kill because once you start, it's hard to stop. It's got an amazing cast, especially Hugh Bonneville as the villain and the always gorgeous and sincere Hugh Dancy. You would enjoy his movie if you like other BBC period dramas, i.e. Pride and Prejudice, Victoria & Albert.