Rating: 
Summary: SIMPLY BREATHTAKING...
Review: Gorgeous production.
Sensitive and solid direction.
Beautiful music and editing.
Spectacular lighting and composition.
Wonderful actors.
Very haunting - with great substance.Now, where is the equally as good SILAS MARNER on DVD?
Rating: 
Summary: "That's not what this is about, Lush."
Review: Having a familiarity with the field of psychology, I have always found morality plays fascinating. If you delight in thought-provoking films with careful layers of morality and virtue, Daniel Deronda will be just your cup of tea. In addition to being a magnificent piece from a purely artistic perspective (the gowns, horse-drawn carriages, and exquisite English countryside will stir the hearts of even the most ardent modernist), it also offers a magnitude of ideal conversation starters. The miniseries is based on the classic novel by George Eliot, and is essentially two plots woven into one. The first is an utterly heartless and wretched marriage for a spoiled young Gwendolyn in the form of the evil Grandcourt, a landowner whose sole pleasure lies in torment. Be it his wife or dogs, our heartless villain never takes greater pleasure than in dangling something before them and tearing it away again, only to feed it to someone else. We see a kind of barbarism in this act, be it with the family spaniel or his impoverished, abandoned mistress. The second plot line is about the film's lead, Daniel Deronda, a presumed illigitimate boy who has been raised a country gentleman. One day while out boating he saves a Jewish singer from drowning herself, and sets out to discover his own true identity through finding her family. The acting is very stellar. There's not a weak link in the cast, although I have to say seeing Barbara Hershey seemed a little out of place in this Victorian paradox. The film makes numerous contrasts between good and evil, selfishness and humility, lies and deception. It's actually quite an achievement, and I was pleased at the amount of restraint showed by the filmmakers. The sexual tension between man and wife will go over most younger viewer's heads. From rationalizing and defending one's wrong choices to showing the difference between attraction and subtle, strong love, Daniel Deronda is a gem not merely for its beauty but also its hideousness. Filmmakers have done a tasteful film which deals with many heavy subjects without becoming vulgar or crass. The costuming is absolutely gorgeous, and there's not a weak link in the cast, which includes screen knowns such as Barbara Hershey and Gretta Sacci, as well as the exceptionally talented Hugh Dancy, Romola Garai, Hugh Bonneville and Jodhi May. Fans of other period films will recognize actors from Pride & Prejudice, Persuasion, and Emma. It's rare to find a wonderful Victorian bodice ripper where the bodice actually stays on.
Rating:
Summary: a great mini-series based on a great book!
Review: i am not a huge fan or British Literature, for that matter i have a particular dislike for VICTORIAN British Lit. i had to read DANIEL DERONDA for a class many moons ago and loved, loved, loved the book (which i highly recommend to anyone-- it's 800 pages, a bit of a commitment, but well worth it). the movie version of George Eliot's last novel is one of the fairest productions which is based on a book i have ever seen; the characters are presented as brilliantly here as they are in the book (with the small exception of Jodhi May as Mirah-- she was far too old to play her!). The sections of the novel which seem long-winded are presented fluently and gracefully, and the iterations which are wonderful to read are an even bigger joy to watch. Hugh Dancy as the title character does not overplay Deronda's inward contemplation nor does he downplay the spurts of emotion. Romala Garai as the beautiful Gwendolen Harleth-Grandcourt portrays her complex and difficult with ease and candor; a true triumph! I would definately recommend this movie to anyone whose got a rainy afternoon to spare and fans of BBC productions to boot! You will not be disappointed!
Rating: 
Summary: Slow pace, rather unacceptable ending.
Review: I don't see that much attraction between Daniel and Mirah, so Daniel's sudden "enlightenment" as a Jew made him realize he loved Mirah who is a Jewess in the movie is quite unexpected. Rather disappointing with his choice, not b'cos she is a jewess, maybe I didn't see enough sparks between them. The other thing, being brought as a English gentleman, but still have some Jewish calling inside him is a little bit inexplicable. In the book Next of Kin said a chimpazee brought up by human consider themselves human. So, I don't buy that part. The movie is rather slow, but I would have enjoyed it better if not b'cos of the far-fetched ending.
Rating:
Summary: Slow pace, rather unacceptable ending.
Review: I don't see that much attraction between Daniel and Mirah, so Daniel's sudden "enlightenment" as a Jew made him realize he loved Mirah who is a Jewess in the movie is quite unexpected. Rather disappointing with his choice, not b'cos she is a jewess, maybe I didn't see enough sparks between them. The other thing, being brought as a English gentleman, but still have some Jewish calling inside him is a little bit inexplicable. In the book Next of Kin said a chimpazee brought up by human consider themselves human. So, I don't buy that part. The movie is rather slow, but I would have enjoyed it better if not b'cos of the far-fetched ending.
Rating:
Summary: Slow pace, rather unacceptable ending.
Review: I don't see that much attraction between Daniel and Mirah, so Daniel's sudden "enlightenment" as a Jew made him realize he loved Mirah who is a Jewess in the movie is quite unexpected. Rather disappointing with his choice, not b'cos she is a jewess, maybe I didn't see enough sparks between them. The other thing, being brought as a English gentleman, but still have some Jewish calling inside him is a little bit inexplicable. In the book Next of Kin said a chimpazee brought up by human consider themselves human. So, I don't buy that part. The movie is rather slow, but I would have enjoyed it better if not b'cos of the far-fetched ending.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't watch this movie unless you want to suffer!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: I eagerly purchased this movie when I found out that the screenwriter was the same as wrote A&E's Pride and Prejudice (indisputably the best movie ever!) Of course, Hugh Dancy being in this film was also an incentive (he was great in David Copperfield). Anyway, I could not have been more completely and utterly disappointed with this film. The torture of this movie was somewhat akin to that of being stabbed repeatedly in the eye with a sharp stick! You think I exaggerate, well, perhaps just a bit (a very little bit mind you.) I know a lot of people review movies and give credit for great performances and directing and scenery and such- to them I say, "WHO CARES!" What does it matter if the actors did a great job portraying their characters if the characters where wandering around aimlessly searching for a plot and some sense of purpose (for over 3 hours!) Unfortunately I had to give this movie 1 star (sadly Amazon does not allow ratings of 0 or negative stars... otherwise I would have rated this movie -5 stars!) I don't understand how the other reviews for this movie are so high. I read them all before purchasing the DVD and was excited because it had such positive reviews. Please, do not make the same mistake I did! I'm trying to warn you and save you some money and time! Of course, you might be one of those people who enjoy watching a movie with no plot, main characters that you can't stand (and main characters that you want to like but don't ever really get to know), and of course that end stupidly- Well, it didn't end as stupidly as it could have I suppose but the whole last third of the movie derails into this Jewish plot and the secret behind Daniel's real mother- that was just incredibly painful. All in all the best part of the movie was when someone died (and the second best thing was when it ended!!!)
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful portrayal of George Eliot's novel
Review: I finished reading Daniel Deronda last weekend, so I would be prepared to compare it to Masterpiece Theatre's movie version. I love the book, despite it being about 80% prose and 724 pages long! The movie is very accurate to the book, the characters perfectly cast, the scenery, costumes and music giving it the lush feel of a Merchant-Ivory film. What mostly catches one's attention are the lines, being taken straight out of the novel, making it such a wonderful portrayal of George Eliot's last novel. My only regret is that I wish it were longer, both the book and the movie, because you want to know more about these intriguing characters and the lives they live after the story! Another fantastic job by BBC! Now...if only they would put Felix Holt out in movie version! Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Simply Marvelous................
Review: I had the wonderful opportunity to first view this film on Masterpiece Theater on PBS. Based on one of George Eliot's lesser-known novels, this film serves as a fascinating interpretation of Victorian England. Not only will viewers attain valuable insight about the treatment of Jews during that particular time period, but they will also become acquainted with the profound, three-dimensional characters who inhabit a society where women are expected to marry respectable gentlemen who possess a strong financial status.
Despite its title, the film mainly focuses on the very different lives of Daniel Deronda and Gwendolen Harleth. Its opening scene takes place at a gambling casino, and that is the perfect symbol for the remainder of the plot. We see Gwendolen taking risks and sacrificing her happiness and liberty through her marriage to the devious and heartless, yet wealthy, Grancourt. In a similar fashion, Daniel Deronda risks his financially stable livelihood in order to uncover his past and fulfill his true ambitions.
I highly recommend this film (and the book) to anyone who enjoys good movies where characters are constantly faced with obstacles and have to rely on themselves to make moral choices.
Rating:
Summary: Not too Shabby
Review: I had to be convinced by my sister to watch this movie because I'm hard to persuade when I am not too familiar with the actors/actresses. But my sister has a keen eye and once again was right on target with the "greatness" of this film.
Hugh Dancy is the epitome of the kind of guy that you want to find but cannot because they just don't exist in reality. He actually notices someone that is in need and affectively helps those needy individuals because he believes that people are inherently good. He does this without agenda or discrimination. He is no respector of persons, but he knows a foul character when he sees one.
He has a terrific scene with his guardian who reveals to him the truth about his mother and the fact that he (his guardian) is not his father. Daniel Deronda's (Hugh Dancy) reaction to this news is priceless. You see his hurt merely through facial expressions and body language. Likewise when his mother reveals to him about her past and her heritage he reacts with such maturity and sensibiity.
The actress that plays Gwendolyn does a great job as well especially for her age. You genuinely feel sorry for her despite her previous selfishness.
The music in this film is something else, that being a good thing. I think that the music really helps you feel the mood of specific scenes. The music will stick with you.
Though I love this movie, I know that there are many people including myself that are disconcerted about how things end up between Gwendolyn and Daniel. I'm sure that the book makes it a more settling ending. But as a whole this is a must see and once you gals catch a glance of Hugh Dancy, you will not regret ever venturing.
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