Caroline Harker, Clive Russell, Douglas Hodge

The BBC has raised the mini-series to an astonishing creative peak. A prime example is the 1994 production of Middlemarch, based on the classic novel by George Eliot, which juxtaposes morals an...( read more  read more... )d money, grand ambitions with petty jealousies, and pursuits of the mind with bodily needs. A handsome young doctor named Lydgate (Douglas Hodge, Vanity Fair) comes to the provincial town of Middlemarch to start a new hospital; a headstrong young woman named Dorothea (Juliet Aubrey, The Mayor of Casterbridge) yearns to contribute to the greater good of the world. These idealists enter into marriages that derail all their intentions and lead them into lives they never imagined. The network of characters in this six-episode program, ranging up and down the societal ladder, create an intricate and utterly engrossing narrative as well as a magnificent recreation of life on the cusp of the Industrial Revolution. The cast, from the largest to the smallest roles, is impeccable. When a scene turns to a character you've only glimpsed before, the precision of the writing (by miniseries master Andrew Davies, Pride and Prejudice) and the vivid performances suck you into the life of this person who seemed like mere background scenery only moments before. The cumulative impact of Eliot's story will leave you gasping at its brilliant balance of romance and reality. Performers include creepy Patrick Malahide (The Singing Detective) and sexy Rufus Sewell (Dark City) among the familiar faces of dozens of inspired character actors. Don't let the literary pedigree of Middlemarch scare you off--the plot is as juicy as a soap opera, with a psychological fullness that makes every dramatic turn all the more gripping. --Bret Fetzer

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65% liked it

1,469 ratings

Unrated

Directed by: Anthony Page

Release Date: January 1, 1994

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DVD Release Date: April 19, 2005

Stats: 57 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (57)


  • September 13, 2009
    This unfortunately was not to my liking. I was more interested in the secondary relationships instead of the one I was supposed to be into. Not to say that I didn't like the two main characters but their relationship did not develop to my taste. Not enough "romance" to spark m...( read more)y fascination.
  • March 28, 2009
    No thankyou - Not interested
  • January 1, 2009
    Middlemarch is no simple book to tackle, even for a six hour movie. Yet this mini-series adapts this broad and sweeping novel with apparent ease. Some of the nuances, such as Ladislaw's connection to Bulstrode, were lost amongst the dozens of other stories. An explanation of fami...( read more)ly connections, such as Mary Garth's relationship with Mr. Featherstone, were also left unexplained, The distinction in social class is also harder to discern. Yet the majority of the story and themes were translated with care and precision. Despite the numerous characters, they were each introduced in such a way as to minimize confusion. The acting was superb all around, aided in no small part by the excellent screenplay. Rufus Sewell and Juliet Aubrey were particularly engrossing. My one major gripe is the ending of their story, which was so much grander in the novel. In all other respects a marvelous achievement.
  • December 3, 2008
    a lovely film, not perfect because for me there is not enough romance, however it shows the main themes of the story well.

    it is romantic and dramatic.

    it enlightens you and with so many stories going on there's always something to keep an eye on.

    a good cast, sewell and...( read more) aubrey play off each other brilliantly and are great.

    a nice enough film, just very long but i supose its expected form a 900! page book.
  • March 9, 2008
    It was ok not as good as most BBC movies
  • January 28, 2008
    Long, very, very long. Probably wouldn't watch it twice.
  • August 24, 2007
    Brillant Classical drama
  • July 11, 2007
    love those dramatic period pieces. love at any and all costs....
  • June 27, 2007
    Near perfect adaption of what should be an unadaptable novel. They'll never get everything in a six hour mini-series of a 900 page novel, but they try very hard! All performances are brilliant, particularly Rufus Sewell as Ladislaw and Juliet Aubrey as Dorothea, who brings the em...( read more)pathy and idealism of this character to life in a remarkable way.
  • May 28, 2007
    Never, Never, Never....

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