Genres

Visitors Review

Matthew Hopkiins 2012-05-21 04:40:21

Enchanting film

I caught this entirely by chance on TV here in the UK on Boxing Day,and was transfixed from start to finish.Whilst I've never read the book, I do recall an earlier version of thison TV from back in the 80's, but I doubt if there could be a moredefinitive version than this, with a stellar cast, and superbcinematography, my only question is how such a good film can emergewith a whimper rather than a bang.Of course I appreciate that a film like this isn't remotely 'trendy',but the art of good story telling never goes out of fashion.No surprise to see that Julian Fellowes was behind this, it had much ofthe same grandeur (and cast members!) that were to be found in his hugeTV success of 2010 'Downtown Abbey' I cannot recommend this film highlyenough, for lovers of ghost stories, and historical films in general,the two odd hours whizz by.

Leofwine_draca 2012-05-20 19:31:54

Adventures of a time-travelling brat

This rather uninvolving time-slip film was made by Julian Fellowes touse sets and cast members left over from his popular period TV drama,DOWNTON ABBEY. It's ostensibly an adaptation of a '50s children's bookcalled The Children of Green Knowe, about a boy living during theSecond World War who finds a way to travel back into the lives of thosein Regency England. I remembering seeing a Children's BBC adaptation ofthe same book, made back in the 1980s, and it was a hundred times moresuccessful than this production: spooky, creepy with a genuine sense ofwonder.FROM TIME TO TIME is subdued and subtle throughout. It has a decentcast and a not-bad script, but it lacks the oomph to make it memorable.There's nothing spectacular or scary here, and the atmosphere isnon-existent. The biggest fault lies in the casting of Alex Etel as theteenage protagonist; he makes for one of the most unlikeable childleads I've ever seen. The supporting cast, including such luminaries asTimothy Spall, Maggie Smith, Dominic West, Carice van Houten and HughBonneville, is excellent, but none of the actors are what you couldcall stretched and the story plays out with nary a twist in sight.

2012-05-11 05:28:24

Enjoyable film , but not faithful to the book.

Of all the things which irritate me when watching films of books whichI have read the one which irritates me most is the script writer whothinks s/he can improve on the original. Of course a very long book hasto lose characters and sub-plots, but "The Chimneys of Green Knowe" isnot a long book, and for every character lost Julian Fellowes hasinvented a new one. I have great respect for Julian Fellowes as an original screen writer,but the arrogance with which he has sought to 'improve' on LucyBoston's novel really sets my teeth on edge. I suspect that someone whohas never read the original will thoroughly enjoy this film, but thebook is much better and much more subtle in both the relationshipsbetween the characters and the nature of the 'ghosts' which JulianFellowes has made so much more conventional than Lucy Boston's unusualtake on the nature of time and mutability.

Gordon-11 2012-05-10 06:39:17

Captivating story about interwoven time

This film is about a young boy who goes to stay with his grandmother'sstately home during the Second World War. He finds the house's secretability to transport him back in time."From Time to Time" successfully weaves together past and presentevents in a logical manner. Many time travel stories have major plotloopholes, but "From Time to Time" has a logical plot that even whenpeople from present interacts with people in the past and alter eventsfrom the past. I particularly like the fact that bits of stories weavetogether, such as the "miracle light" and the jewels, so everything inthe film happens for a reason. I enjoyed watching "From Time to Time" alot.

jk-332 2012-05-03 06:53:45

A lovely time travel film

I hadn't heard a thing about this movie when it came out, but seeingMaggie Smith and Dominic West and Hugh Bonneville in the cast, I had togive it a try. I loved time travel books a lot when I was young and Iwish I'd known about the book series this comes from, because itwould've been perfect for me. I loved the look and the tone of themovie, with just enough adventure and mysteries to solve to keep meriveted. Yes, the tone is a bit somber at times, and I wasn't crazyabout Alex Etel's performance as Tolly (he's fairly wooden), but itreally moves well and there are enough other characters to focus on, sooverall, I quite enjoyed it. Maggie Smith isn't as fun as she is onDownton Abbey, but few things are that amusing, after all. DominicWest, Pauline Collins, Hugh Bonneville, Timothy Spall and HarrietWalter are wonderful in smaller roles, while Eliza Bennett and KwayedzaKureya, both new to me, are charming as the children in the Regencyera. I also have to say that I loved the fashion in the past, with bothCarice van Houten and Douglas Booth looking especially dishy in thoseclothes. I would say this is definitely a children's movie, but alsogood for adults who are children at heart (like me).

nav swamey 2012-05-02 16:14:51

Another Ghost story but lovely not scary.

"The Chimneys of Green Knowe" was very good book and adaptation of thisbook as movie was very wise decision,As the movie make justice with thebook.I have seen many movies based on novels but this one is reallyamazing and honest to book.The cinematography is beautiful,the acting is superb especially MaggieSmith(Linnet),Eliza Bennett(Susan) and Alex Etel(Tolly) have done agreat job.Movie is a little slow in start but as soon it reaches in themiddle you are bound to complete it.The director gave this movie a softtreatment.The music is not so well but it is not bad at all.Finally If you are the fan of "The Green Knowe series" or just want tosee a movie in your weekend go borrow the DVD as this a rare movie.

MovieSonic 2012-05-01 17:50:52

Fine storytelling and highly entertaining

I put off watching this film for a long time because of the 6/10 IMDbrating and because it seems like one of those films you 'need to be inthe mood for'.Well, it is but when you are in the mood for a good story then watchthis film because the overall result is certainly worth it. Technicallyand visually the film is successful (i.e. cinematography, location,costumes etc.) but it is the story itself that kept me interested. I amnot sure if the success of the film is owed to the book it was adaptedfrom or if the script added anything but I was certainly impressed.The funny and tragic moments never felt forced or embellished and theactors were extremely committed and convincing.I am not a viewer who knows too much about the film making process sothe most I can comment on really is that whilst the ending was ratherpredictable I was happy I had watched the film and would highlyrecommend it to others.I hope the IMDb rating increases as it easily deserves 8/10

2012-05-01 09:15:55

Chimneys of Green Knowe

This review is from: From Time to Time (Chimneys of Green Knowe) [Reg.2] (DVD) Lovely movie based on the British Green Knowe children's books. Charming, well cast & acted, and beautifully photographed to represent time changes.

andrewhb65 2012-04-25 19:09:03

All the parts don't add up to a whole!

When I saw the writer/director was Julian Fellowes, and the castincluded his 'Downton' alumni Hugh Bonneville and the ever fabulousMaggie Smith, not to mention such great British actors as DominicWest(of 'The Wire'fame) and Pauline Collins ('Shirley Valentine'herself)and the perennially interesting Timothy Spall (Secrets & Lives)it seemed that all the omens were good....For me though it only went to show that success as a writer does notautomatically translate into success as a Director. The great writerwas unable to let go of the desire to tell the story as if it werebeing 'read'. Everything was articulated (Pauline Collins character atone point almost iterating her own movements out loud ('I think i willjust move this cup from her'...we know, we can see you moving thecup!).The juvenile 'slave' character had an absurdly modern American accent(and a rather refined one for such a character) and only Maggie Smithseemed able to rise above the poor direction (naturally). The storyidea has merit, but for Ghost story it lacked atmosphere, and thelanguage was clunky. The characters were often stereotypical and onedimensional, no wonder this movie disappeared as soon as it wasreleased!

2012-04-25 06:07:24

Amazon.co.uk has this movie.

This movie is one of those that makes you happy you have a Region Free player. It's delightful, superbly written and filmed, with first-rate performances from Maggie Smith, Alex Etel, Hugh Bonneville, Timothy Spall, et al. And, since a previous reviewer has done a fine job of describing characters and events, suffice to say that thanks to all involved in this production, the movie is so engrossing and entertaining it seems to be over before you know it. It's a gem.

2012-04-23 16:44:20

Amazon.co.uk has this movie.

This movie is one of those that makes you happy you have a Region Free player. It's delightful, superbly written and filmed, with first-rate performances from Maggie Smith, Alex Etel, Hugh Bonneville, Timothy Spall, et al. And, since a previous reviewer has done a fine job of describing characters and events, suffice to say that thanks to all involved in this production, the movie is so engrossing and entertaining it seems to be over before you know it. It's a gem.FYI: You can find Region Free players on Amazon.com for $40-$100. As of this writing, the movie is available on the British Amazon (Amazon.co.uk) for $13.71 including shipping. If you shop at the British Amazon, you sign in with your usual password. You'll see the prices in British Pounds, but you can select to see your purchase in US Dollars as you go through checkout and before you commit to buy.Also, this review is not for the Blu-Ray version. As far as I know, Blu-Ray multi-region players are not widely available in the US yet.

TatiaTatiana 2012-04-22 23:21:13

A Lovely Film From Another Time....

This is a film that would easily have been made 40 years ago - that itwas made now is remarkable. I never read the book upon which it wasbased so I came to it on its own merits - and it stood more than justwell. This is a film to be savored like a fine wine - it has richnuances. There is so much that is good about it - from writing andacting to photography and set design.It is an atmospheric film. Beautifully captured - the two time periodsare both portrayed in evocative detail. The mood for 1941 feels iconicbut real - like it would have been - in memory - quiet, all in mutedwintry grays with the detail of the house and its rooms presented tothe eye like paintings. By contrast, 1811 has a warm and vivid lushnesslike a dream. Fascinating choices.Beautifully acted - of exceptional note is Maggie Smith. HughBonneville gives a wonderful performance as Captain Oldknow. I foundthe marital relationship between the Captain and his foreign wife, asacted by Hugh Bonneville and Carice van Houten, as his wife Maria,intriguing. Made me wonder about how that relationship was portrayed inthe book. Pauline Collins and Timothy Spall and Dominic West allexcellent, as are the actors playing the children. Well done all round.This film made me curious about the book. In fact, I will likely readthe book now.

BlueEyes72 2012-04-19 16:08:17

Lovely and moving film, with a great cast

This film was directed by Julian Fellowes, who since making it, hasmade the hugely successful Downton Abbey TV series. Like that series,this film stars Maggie Smith and Hugh Bonneville, and they are joinedby, amongst others, Dominic West, Pauline Collins and Timothy Spall.Set in 1940s England, 13 year old Tolly (Alex Etel) is sent to staywith his grandmother (Maggie Smith) at her country home, which shefears she will have to sell due to money problems. Tolly's father isfighting in WWII, and is missing in action. As his grandmother tellshim about the history of the house, and Tolly's ancestors, he findsthat he is able to travel back in time to 1805 and discover secretsabout his family's past, which still resonate today… This film isadapted from Lucy M Boston's book 'The Chimneys of Green Knowe'. I havenot read the book, so cannot compare the two, but I did really enjoythe film. Maggie Smith is as brilliant as ever, as the elderly lady whorealises that she may have lost her beloved son, and may also have togive up her lifelong home. Alex Etel does a fine job as Tolly, andcredit should also be given to the supporting cast, especially PaulineCollins and Timothy Spall, as two members of the staff at the house.Dominic West is great (as ever), although here he plays a particularlyunpleasant character – I personally prefer to see him in nicer roles!There is a parallel storyline; the story from 1805 – which centresaround Tolly's ancestors, the kindly Captain Oldknow (Hugh Bonneville)and his selfish wife Maria (Carice van Houten) and their childrenSefton; a spoiled, selfish young man (Douglas Booth) and Susan, akindly, blind girl (Eliza Bennett). Into their lives comes Jacob(Kwayedza Kureya), a former slave who escapes from captivity with thehelp of Captain Oldknow and joins the household as a companion forSusan, much to the chagrin of Sefton. The second storyline is of courseset in 1940s, with Tolly and his grandmother worrying about what hasbecome of Tolly's father (and we do find out), while at the same timegetting to know and understand each other.I thought the film was incredibly well acted, and both story lines werevery touching. So much so, that I ended up in tears at the end, whichis not something that happens very often when I watch a film. This wasjust a lovely film, well acted, well told, and very emotive. Highlyrecommended to all fans of period drama.

2012-04-19 05:51:48

Atmospheric ghost story

I was fortunate to be able to view this on youtube since the DVD is no longer available. This is a well-made production based on a story The Chimneys of Green Knowe, The story is set in 1940s England, where thirteen-year-old Tolly (Alex Etel) is sent by his mother to his grandmother Mrs. Oldknoe's (Dame Maggie Smith) family estate, Green Knowe. His mother remains in London, trying to get information on the fate of Tolly's father who is missing in action. Initially, Tolly resents his granny because he thinks she dislikes his mother, but gradually a close bond forms between the two. Tolly discovers that the estate is in financial trouble and that his granny may be forced to sell it. Tolly also makes another startling discovery - that the estate is haunted by the spirits of a previous generation of Oldknow's, mainly young Susan (Eliza Bennett) who lived in the house more than a century earlier. Susan's father, Captain Oldknow (Hugh Bonneville) is a kind seafaring man who brings home an escaped slave named Jacob and provides for him, expecting only that Jacob be Susan's companion, for Susan is blind. But Maria, the Captain's Dutch wife (played by Carice Van Houten of Black Book) is not keen on the boy and spends her days squandering the Captain's wealth. The couple's only son, Sefton (Douglas Booth) is a spoilt brat who abhors Jacob, and finds ways and means to make Jacob's life miserable.Tolly finds himself not only able to see some of these ghosts but also to be able to travel back in time (it is never explained how this happens) and witness events in the past. This later proves fortuitous as Tolly makes an important discovery that could very well save his granny's estate.The story plays out quite well and is beautifully filmed. I'd characterize this as a family friendly drama - there is no foul language, no sexual scenes, and except for a few scenes where there is some bullying going on, no real violence.