Charlotte Gray

Captivating in one word, if you have read the novel and enjoyed it you will like this film- of course its not quite as good but very nearly... In my opinion great performances. Very moving. Enjoy...

When you have nothing better to do and the box is running it's repeats of Come Dine with me or X Factor then put this DVD on.

The film was slow, glossing over how Charlotte was recruited into the resistance and within minutes seemed to pack her off to France via parachute.

Cate Blanchett (Charlotte) and Billy Crudup (Julien - her resistance contact) were both watchable in this movie but could do nothing I fear to save the film adaptation of the book plot. The film looked more at Charlotte's romances - at first the pilot she meets (Rupert Penry-Jones) and then with Julien; instead of the situation she finds herself in during war torn France.

Various dangerous sabotage missions are undertaken but these seem secondary in the film and the participants seem to have come along for the ride rather than being active members of a serious situation.

Michael Gambon gives a credible performance as Julien's father.

Overall - OK

I had seen this film before a long time ago, but it was a privilege to see it again. A really great film that reaches depths of meaning and strength that only the Brit and European film makers can. Highly recommended.

Beautifully filmed but quite stagnent in parts. A fine attempt at capturing the novel's essence on screen, but as a film in its own right, falls slightly short of the mark. Commanding performances.

This film is disappointing, but don't let it put you off the book. Sebastian Faulks is a superb author, but this adaptation doesn't do it justice.