Country Matters
Adapted from tales by A.E Coppard and H.E. Bates – two of the great masters of the short story – Country Matters unarguably remains a high point for television drama, winning the award for Best Drama at the 1973 BAFTAs. An anthology series of plays about English country life and rural romance at the turn of the twentieth century, it presents unsentimental stories of human relationships and raw emotions – heartfelt passions, crippling frustrations, unspoken love and destructive jealousy all feature unsparingly in one of the 1970s' most memorable drama series. Available on DVD for the first time, Country Matters includes memorable performances from Ian McKellen, Rosalind Ayres, Peter Firth, Penelope Wilton, Pauline Collins, Gareth Thomas, Bryan Marshall, Barbara Ewing, Prunella Scales, Zena Walker, Michael Kitchen and Jeremy Brett, among others.
Insights
Plot Summary
Country Matters was a British television anthology series that explored various facets of rural life in Britain. Each episode presented a self-contained story, often focusing on the lives, struggles, and relationships of characters living in country settings. The series aimed to capture the atmosphere and unique challenges of the British countryside.
Critical Reception
As an anthology series from the early 1970s, specific widespread critical reception data is not readily available in the same way as for feature films or contemporary series. However, BBC productions of this era were generally well-regarded for their dramatic quality and character-driven narratives. Audience reception would have been localized to its broadcast period.
What Reviewers Say
- Often praised for its authentic portrayal of rural British life.
- Appreciated for its strong character development in self-contained stories.
- Some episodes may have been noted for their melancholic or dramatic tone.
Google audience: Due to the age and nature of this series, specific user reviews on platforms like Google are not available.
Fun Fact
Each episode of Country Matters featured a different cast and creative team, contributing to its anthology format and thematic variety.
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