Thursday, April 11, 2024

Then. Now. Now and Then.

 


“From Time to Time is a 2009 British fantasy drama film directed by Julian Fellowes starring Maggie SmithTimothy SpallCarice van HoutenAlex EtelEliza BennettElisabeth Dermot-WalshDominic WestHugh Bonneville, and Pauline Collins. It was adapted from Lucy M. Boston's children's novel The Chimneys of Green Knowe (1958). The film was shot in Athelhampton HallDorset.

“Near the end of World War II, teen-aged Tolly (Alex Etel) spends Christmas at his grandmother's large country estate, Green Knowe. Tolly's soldier father has been reported missing in action while his mother remains in London awaiting more information. His grandmother, Mrs. Oldknow (Maggie Smith), disapproved of her son's marriage, considering his wife a commoner. Mrs. Oldknow is financially strapped and faced with selling Green Knowe.

“On Tolly's first night at Green Knowe, he sees and hears a ghostly young girl and adolescent boy. Soon after, he discovers that he magically time travels between the present and the early 19th century in the old manor house. Certain people in that time period can see and communicate with him, while he remains invisible to others. Susan, the blind daughter of Lord Thomas Oldknow, is the ghostly figure that Tolly first saw. She can speak to Tolly both in her time and his. He learns that his grandmother also sees the ancestral ghosts. Susan leads him on an adventure that unlocks family secrets laid buried for generations. Exciting events include a terrible fire, a tale of stolen jewels, and threats of a servant being sold into a press gang.

“Although the lost treasure is eventually found and Green Knowe is saved, Tolly's father is a casualty of the war. Mrs. Oldknow finally welcomes Tolly's mother into the family. Tolly is comforted when his father's ghost appears, assuring him everything will be all right.” – Wikipedia.

From Time to Time (2009) | Full Movie | Hugh Bonneville | Timothy Spall | Maggie Smith - YouTube

I am sure that this movie was thrown up in my YouTube suggestions list because I recently watched Present Laughter (1981), a hilarious Noel Coward play in which Julian Fellows played a part. Julian Fellowes, one year after directing From Time to Time, went on to be the writer and director of Downton Abbey, also starring Maggie Smith. It also features Timothy Spall, most widely known as Peter Pettigrew (Wormtail) in the Harry Potter movies, but before that as Dr. Polidori in Gothic.

But before the recommendation I had been interested in the film since at least the beginning of this blog. It was on my Amazon wish list before that, my interest having been piqued because it was an adaptation of one of L. M. Boston’s Green Knowe books, which I had been reading since middle school. At the time I put it on the list there was no DVD for this region and no presence on YouTube. Now there are both. I enjoyed it so much I shall probably buy the DVD. YouTube even has the 1986 BBC adaptation of the same book, called The Children of Green Knowe. I shall probably watch it in time, if not today.


"The Children of Green Knowe" FULL/1986 One of the most beautiful children's* stories ever conceived - YouTube

In a related note of films adapted from classic British children’s fantasy books, YouTube also has (at last) a proper copy of Tom’s Midnight Garden (1999), with features a supporting role by Joan Plowright. No proper Region 1 DVD release, though.

Toms Midnight Garden 1999 1080p - YouTube



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