Search - The Catherine Cookson Collection - Set 1 (The Wingless Bird / The Moth / The Rag Nymph / The Fifteen Streets) on DVD

Samuel K. (Solvanda)
Reviewed on 11/26/2018...

I actually don't have this particular title. What I own is a Region 2 collection which has 24 discs, and encompasses all the Granada productions of Catherine Cookson's stories. Unfortunately, these have all been divided up into sets and single disc titles in the U.S. That being said, every single one of these tales are incredible and rewarding to track down, and crammed with acclaimed actors.

Catherine did not have it the easiest, was raised in poverty, thought her mother was her sister, and many of these stories were probably things she observed throughout her life, if not unlike her own. Writing novels ended up being cathartic and healing for her. And brought in loads of money. These tales are mostly lower and middle class, turn of century. Every episode is riveting, convoluted, takes a dark turn or two, and somehow people end up being resilient and rising above their unfortunate occurrences. There is some very severe and mature subject matter here, as it is humanly honest. These elements are never handled in a gratuitous way though. Complete list of the productions:

The Moth, The Black Velvet Gown, The Black Candle, The Secret, The Mallen Streak, The Mallen Girls, The Mallen Secret, The Mallen Curse, The Girl, The Fifteen Streets, The Rag Nymph, The Wingless Bird, The Dwelling Place, The Glass Virgin, Tilly Trotter, The Cinder Path, The Man Who Cried, The Round Tower, The Tide of Life, Colour Blind, A Dinner of Herbs Part 1, Dinner of Herbs Part 2, The Gambling Man, The Storyteller

An interesting tale of three eccentric families during a per

Midwest Book Review | Oregon, WI USA | 04/04/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Presented in dramatic and superbly crafted productions, The Catherine Cookson Collection: Set One is a four disc DVD collection of film adaptations from Cookson's four powerful novels: The Wingless Bird which is an interesting tale of three eccentric families during a period in which war is nearing, all intertwined with the daughter of a shopkeeper who is hard set on making for herself a better life. The Moth, based in 1913 about a carpenter who leaves his home for work in a small village where his encounter with a peculiar young girl changes his life and understandings. The Rag Nymph is the engaging story of a prostitute's daughter being taken into the home of the main character, a rag and bone lady living in the slums of Victorian Newcastle. The Fifteen Streets depicts a rugged dockworker's love for a wealthy local shipbuilder's daughter and the struggle between the social contrast they share. A welcome and popular addition to community library Video/DVD collections, The Catherine Cookson Collection is very highly recommended to fans of the work of Catherine Cookson, as well those with a particular interest in British drama.
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A Long-Awaited Treat

Alison Leigh | 06/01/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I am glad to welcome the Catherine Cookson Collection-Set 1 into my period film library, and while I have not read any of Ms. Cookson's books, the films are vastly entertaining and will hopefully open up a new legion of fans. The boxed set contains four films: The Wingless Bird, The Moth, The Rag Nymph, and the Fifteen Streets.

The films, produced by Granada television, are well done overall, however they are not quite as sumptuous as many of the BBC productions everyone loves so much; they also tend to be a little bit darker. Despite this, I believe the Catherine Cookson films educate viewers on the behaviors and conditions of England's lower and middle classes and are for the most part highly realistic. They also boast many fine actors: Juliet Aubrey, Sean Bean, Justine Waddell, Honeysuckle Weeks, Jack Davenport, and Crispin Bonham-Carter, to name a few.

My favorite movie out of the collection was The Rag Nymph, the story of a prostitute's young daughter being taken in by a rag and bones lady. Afterwards, The Moth followed by the The Wingless Bird, and finally, The Fifteen Streets.

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Catherine Cookson review

W. LaVia | Harrisburg, PA | 06/26/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I purchased this DVD set for mymother-in-law. She was overjoyed with it and has raved about it. She is a huge fan of Catherine Cookson and really enjoys anything she has produced."