Feast Of July Details

A good story, well told

Based on H E Bates book of the same name,it was a relatively faithful interpretation of his original story.

The characterisations are good and the locations and filming are of a high standard.

The orginal story was set on the Northamptonshire/Bedfordshire borders. The two towns in his book were Rushden and Bedford.

In the film, the location was somewhat vague and the arrival of a GWR steam train didn't help to promote an East Midlands identity!

But all in all, it was a good story well told.

The tensions in the family were all well observed and at times suitably under played, allowing the audience to reach their own conclusions about the rivalary and jealousy that existed.

If the film was re-made now, it would suffer from the current trend to over dramatise. The strength of the film is that it quite simply tells a good story, which is was Bates' greatest talent.

In so doing, it enables the audience to become comfortable, rather than voyeuristic, observers - identifying with the dynamics and tensions of family life.

Some of the locations are quite beautiful and the unhurried approach to telling the story, allows the audience to linger long enough to feel that we know the people and places.

Good film, well made. Recommended.