Akenfield (DVD and Blu-ray) A film by Peter HallBased on Ronald Blythe's acclaimed oral-history book Akenfield: Portrait of an English Village, Peter Hall's long un-seen, extraordinary film offers a lyrical yet authentic depiction of British pastoral life.Akenfield tells the story of a farming family who have lived for generations in the bucolic Suffolk village of the film's title. Real-life local farmer Garrow Shand gives a compelling naturalistic central performance, in three roles, as farmhand Tom Rouse, his father and grandfather; a lineage which has experienced hardship, happiness and love, and struggled with the pressures of mechanisation, world war and shifting social mores.A profoundly romantic work of sublime poetic realism, Akenfield boasts compelling performances from its cast of non-professional actors (drawn from the living communities of several Suffolk villages) and a sweeping, rhapsodic orchestral score composed by Michael Tippett (Fantasia Concertante on a theme by Corelli).Special features Brand new 4K digital restoration by the BFI National Archive Akenfield Revisited (Rex Pyke, 2004, 39 mins): Making-of documentary with extensive interviewsAkenfield on Location (1973, 19 mins) 16mm footage capturing the film's productionOn-set interview with Ronald Blythe (1973, 3 mins): interview filmed on the first day of productionAn Interview with Sir Peter Hall (2004, 12 mins): an interview with the film's directorAn Interview with Garrow Shand (2004, 11 mins): an interview with the film s starAn Interview with Ronald Blythe (2004, 15 mins): an interview with the acclaimed writerAn Interview with Rex Pyke (2016, 37 mins): newly-filmed interview with the film's producerAkenfield Cast and Crew Interview at the National Film Theatre (2004, 27 mins): on-stage interview, presented with original mute 16mm location footageProduction Stills Gallery (4 mins)Fully illustrated booklet with essays by Sir Peter Hall and Ronald BlytheUK | 1974 | colour | English language, with optional Hard-of-hearing subtitles | 98 minutes | original aspect ratio 2.35:1 BD50 | 1080p | 24fps | PCM mono audio (48k/24-bit) | Region free DVD9 | PAL | Dolby Digital 2.0 mono (192kbps) | Region 0
B**K
VERY INTERESTING
I found this fascinating and very interesting. Four stars instead of five after considering price.
C**R
Quality issues
Sadly, this recording is of poor quality, especially the soundtrack.With no subtitles, although the set-up had them shown, they didn't appear, it was an expensive disappointment.
T**Y
Wonderfully restored piece of essential British cinema.
Made in 1974 by film maker Peter Hall; this has now been restored to a high degree by the BFI. It is based on the book about a Suffolk village of the same name. It tells the story of the village of Akenfield through the lives who have lived there. This is centred around three generations of Tom Rouse.It tells of the first Tom’s life working on a farm and living in a tied cottage – always dreaming of owning his own land and being too over worked and poor to ever countenance such dreams to the waking hours. It tells of the love that draws him to home and the burning desire to get away as they co-mingle in his heart and mind.This is done like a pastoral poem in places with the musical score perfectly balanced to capture the on screen mood and chemistry. It is part history, social commentary and part melancholy in its approach to a bucolic past that some would now miss and others are glad to be rid of. This is a film for those who take cinema seriously and love our shared history on film.
J**B
A poem of a film.
I've been waiting for a blu ray version of this wonderful film to be issued but never thought it'd happen. I have to say that the transfer isn't as perfect as I'd hoped for - lots of older films somehow look over restored, if that makes any sense - but this BFI blu ray is actually worth it for the extras alone.Considering this was made with non actors makes the result all the more astonishing. Everything works: the switching between the three distinct eras the film is set in, the fabulous music (a Tippett piece I'd never heard of until I saw the film), the glorious photography (all done without extra lighting, it seems) and the commentary by 'old Tom'. Akenfield has always had the ability to reduce me to tears, simply because it is so beautiful in every way. A eulogy for a lost age and, for once, not one that portrays the lot of the working classes as idyllic. A classic.
C**H
Remembering the past
Have just re seen this film. What a fantastic film. I have learnt so much from it. I loved all the additional films extras. So interesting seeing the people who took part 30 years on and hearing their commentary. What an excellent job Peter Hall did directing and Roland Blythe coming up with a script from the book, plus acting in the film and being on hand in its production. Such a unique achievement that can never be surpassed.
M**T
Akenfield a classic
What can I say but brilliantLark rise withb###sI am a 59 year old LondonerI was watching with tears in my eyesThe cast were brilliantWhen this film was made a lot of them would have known the hard times depictedSo were they acting not reallyIf you are not used to a Suffolk accent you might need the subtitles
B**E
Enjoyed this
Been wanting to watch this for many years as it was filmed in my home county of Suffolk. I enjoyed it.
R**L
Interesting
A new concept in filmmaking. Real people, no actors.The best part is the music of Michael Tippett.
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