MovieChat Forums > South Riding (2011) Discussion > Penelope Wilton/Mrs Beddows - spoilers

Penelope Wilton/Mrs Beddows - spoilers


I know this board has many fans of the original novel and the 1970s adaptation neither of which I'm familiar with, so I'm going out on a limb here but I have enjoyed this Andrew Davies adaptation.

The scene between Sarah and Mrs Beddows on the train I thought was wonderful, it was that moment when Mrs Beddows realised Sarah and Robert had been together in Manchester - slightly winded but quickly struggling to regain composure. I've read Hermione Baddeley was excellent in the 70s version (it's on my 'to watch' list), but for what it's worth I thought Penelope Wilton was marvellous.

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She's very, very good.

I've enjoyed this adaptation: I'm just sorry they didn't have the scope, episode-wise, to do the novel in full, as the 1974 version did. There were elisions and simplifications. (I couldn't imagine Sarah trying to run away like this.) But it was very well-acted, and I thought captured well the fact that – as is plain in the book – Emma's feelings for Robert aren't purely maternal, despite the 20-odd years between them.

Seingner Conrat, tot per vostr'amor chan
http://www.silverwhistle.co.uk/knightlife

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I'm reading the book but not seen any ref to Robert's age yet, is he supposed to be similar age to Sarah or slightly older, I get the impression slightly or about 5 years older?

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Robert's about 50, 11 years older than Sarah, at the start of the novel.

Seingner Conrat, tot per vostr'amor chan
http://www.silverwhistle.co.uk/knightlife

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She was wonderful in this but then I always admire her work (I think she's much better on DOWNTON ABBEY that Maggie Smith who hams it up at times). I loved how she performed her role correctly, one of my problems with this production is like many of period films too many actors play their roles with too modern a sensibility. I did note though Penelope couldn't resist doing trademark "tight, big, worried smile" in one scene.

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