Anna of the Five Towns (1985) User Reviews

Beautifully Done Period Drama

[live-and-let-live · 8/10 · 5 November 2022]

Writing this in 2022.

While the quality is not the HD that we are all enjoying, the content of this drama is well-worth overlooking the 1985 technology.

Anna of the Five Towns is a British television drama series which first aired on BBC. It is an adaptation by John Harvey of the 1902 novel of the same title by Arnold Bennett.

I must add that it stars the young and engaging Peter Davison.

I am so glad that this came up as a suggestion from Britbox.

This coming-of-age story of a stifled young woman is intriguing. Her navigation from nothingness to being a woman of means was very satisfying to view.

Don't miss it.

Fascinating Story and Wonderful Acting

[wz-37217 · 8/10 · 20 April 2024]

Adapted from a novel written in1902, this production faithfully follows the morals and customs of the period without the usual anachronisms.

Anna is an intelligent young woman who does a fine job keeping house for her father and raising her younger sister, she also teaches Sunday school for the Methodist church, a position of great responsibility and gravity at the time.

On her 21st birthday her father informs Anna that she has inherited 50,000 pounds and so she is instantly flung into the world of business management and a much higher social circle.

The story becomes complicated and compelling as Anna is torn between the demands of good money management and the demands of her natural Christian kindness. She is also torn between a charming and appropriate suitor and a natural and unconditional love.

What a gem!

[zettelouise · 9/10 · 30 April 2023]

I was surprised to learn I had access to this delightful series on Britbox. It also introduced me to Arnold Bennett's work which I had not been aware of.

This series is very well done. I was most impressed by the compelling story and charming grace of the main characters. Peter Davison is quite remarkable as Henry. It is no wonder his career skyrocketed after this series. I was also delighted to see young Anton Lesser. His acting talent in Anna of Five Towns is very much apparent.

The series is very true to Bennett's text. I love the casting. So wonderful to see character actors that depict real people without the Hollywood glamour.

I highly recommend this series!