Rating: 
Summary: Don't expect the book!
Review: If I had never read "Coming Home" I could have liked this film. It is, however, just not at all an adequate adaptation of Rosamunde Pilcher's excellent novel. The soul has been cut out of the story in order to make it fit tidily into a film. The acting and such are fine, as they go, but watching this is like watching a ghost of Pilcher's fine story, and it truly does not satisfy at all. Perhaps Pilcher's books really don't lend themselves to film adaptations. I found the adaptation of "The Shell Seekers" to be an appalling desecration of that book too. They should try to make them into a mini-series.
Rating: 
Summary: Good as a stand alone, not as an adaptation
Review: If I had never read the Rosamunde Pilcher book, I would have adored the mini-series. I understand why so many parts had to be cut from the book, but some of the cuts and changes were not necessary and some changed the story. I was disappointed with the change in the Judith/Edward storyline and hated that they changed the ending. The small changes were annoying too. Why add the evacuees to an already crowded cast, they added nothing to the story and why change the name of the butler? I agree that the Dower house was much too grand in the movie, but loved seeing Nancharrow, it was exactly as I pictured it in my mind.
Rating:
Summary: Flawed but fun
Review: The scenery was stunning, the acting quite decent, and the story pure romantic escapism. Still the overall impression was less than impressive. I am not sure whether it is an advantage to have read the book or not. Having read it, I was able to fill in a lot of the details. On the other hand, I was constantly aware of how much was missing. Still, I enjoyed watching it and, although I could have found more worthwhile uses for the purchase price, I am not sorry that I acquired the video.
Rating:
Summary: Not a thing like the book
Review: This adaptation is not a bit like the book. They have changed characters, the names of characters, deaths, the ending! You never see Judith living in the Dower House. I might have enjoyed it more if I had not read the book. It is beautiful and evocative. But very disappointing if you think it will resemble the book in any way!
Rating: 
Summary: So Good that it Should Air on PBS' Masterpiece Theatre!
Review: This adaptation of COMING HOME is absolutely captivating! Though the story is a little different from the novel (in the same way that "Message in a Bottle" differed), I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the series. The cast was brilliant, and the scenery was breathtaking. A friend of mine in the UK recommended this video to me after it aired there and received rave reviews, and I am stunned American television has not picked it up yet. It should air on Masterpiece Theatre, especially since it was produced by producers of "Rebecca." The quality is as exquisite, if not more so. If you like period drama, if you are a Pilcher fan, if you are an MPT fan, if you liked Emily Mortimer in the recent Academy Award-nominated film "Elizabeth," or if you are just looking for a wonderful movie for the weekend, THIS IS IT!
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