Search - The Tide of Life on DVD

Samuel K. (Solvanda)
Reviewed on 5/2/2020...

I've got this title in 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

Tide of Life a Lovely Voyage

randomartco | 06/08/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This film, an adaptation of the Catherine Cookson novel of the same name, is a three part miniseries detailing the changing fortunes of a young housekeeper, Emily Kennedy, played by Gillian Kearney. The time period is the Victorian era. Emily Kennedy learns about life and love through relationships with three very different men. Forced from the home of her first employer Sep McGilby (John Bowler) after his plans to marry Emily come to a tragic end, Emily finds work as a housekeeper with a farmer, Larry Birch (Ray Stevenson) and his crippled wife Rona (Diana Hardcastle), in Croft Dene House, a place which holds many secrets. Eventually after a strange turn of events, wholesome Emily defies convention to share a life in a rundown cottage with Larry Birch. I did not like this part of the movie, and I knew where the situation was going to end with Birch. As upright and clear minded as Emily was, it was difficult for me to believe that she would be willing to sacrifice her dignity for Birch after all the time she had known him as his housekeeper. Throughout the movie, one is given conflicting evidence about Birch's character. Emily is initially curt when she meets the new owner of Croft Dene House, Nick Stuart, played by the always charismatic James Purefoy, who in this role is just about his most handsome (very becoming Rhett Butleresque wardrobe and thin moustache). Emily is curt, but is eventually won over by the charming and compassionate Nick Stuart. The tide shifts again, and Nick gives Emily a way to take control of her future."

Tide of Life

Peter | Wellington, North Island New Zealand | 08/18/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There is little I can add regarding this movie that hasnt already been said in the excellent review by the lady from Virginia.
All I will say is that I found the cinematography both believable and beautiful in its capture of the 19th century northern English life.
What drew me most to the film is the courageous character of Emily ..played so wonderfully by Gillian Kearney.
Suffice to say I loved the movie so much that I am buying it ... from Amazon because it is not available here in New Zealand."