The Black Velvet Gown

UPDATE....UGH, The movie is good because the main character actress shows that an injustice is being played out and the rage she feels is palpable. What starts off as a sweet film ends up being a very very serious one in fact. Sadly, the mother is being worn down by the plight of the times for the poorer classes, meanwhile she has to serve the very person who is an abuser of children, namely her son. I don't know about the book, but in the film it's clear that the old man is a pedophile who has inclinations towards her young son, And as the boy grows up ends up acting out and not fulfilling his role as a man whose going somewhere in life is then treated with disdain by his sister. Meanwhile the sister begins to have a fondness for the old man and vehemently chastises her mother for the "lout" her brother has become. The old man expects his servants to accept that he is beleaguered by this "inclination" and his nonchalantness is repulsive to me is beyond words. Why I didn't pick up that this guy was a weirdo with romantic aspirations for a teen boy, before now, I don't know. This is a very sad story really. A single woman with children, very loving and hard working trying to make it in a time when life was very harsh and hard. As her children grow up, her daughter in particular is shown to be caring and responsible yet it looks as though she harbors resentment toward her own mother for not being educated enough and her brother for not being ambitious enough. She herself seeks enrichment through the arts and poetry and is drawn to the pedo man because he's an educator who enjoys the same. Given the times, it's of course somewhat realistic that less advantaged people might not share the rights of the wealthy and have to put up with a lot more. But what disgusts me is the old mans character of behaving as if he has no other choice - that being as he is is a burden unto himself but he has NO SHAME in the harm he's done to others.First review...I couldn't figure out why the oldest son near murdered the guy for not bringing home the pony. A psychopath in the making maybe? After reading the reviews here I guess the pedo thing might explain it. Was that how Catherine Cookson wrote it in her book as well? It would explain why he never came to her room when she was waiting. I think I'm a little slow about these things, but when the eldest daughter read an excerpt left by the master after his death, I thought what she read sounded really weird, but she didn't seem to think so. She seemed to really care for the guy, but the mother's character then began to be called into question after not telling her of the conditions associated with the master leaving his house to her. Anyway, I suppose considering when this film was produced they couldn't come right out and say it, only infer these things. Which is just as well -- I don't think anyone would have watched if that undertone wasn't kept decidedly vague. Nevertheless, it was an otherwise decent production.

This film is based upon a novel of the same name by Catherine Cookson. I read the book so long ago that I cannot say if this is good adaptation. All I can say with certitude is that I enjoyed it, as I have most of her books. As for the film, this 1993 production won an international Emmy for best drama in its day, and I would say it was well deserved. It features a great cast, an excellent script, and fine performances.With an authenticity of time and place, this period drama tells the compelling story of a destitute widow in 1830s England and her three children. The widow with the help of kind strangers secures the post of housekeeper in the rural manor house of a reclusive middle aged gentleman. He takes in the entires family and gives the children a classical eduction. The housekeeper soon discovers that he has an Achilles heel, one that is to affect her children and result in a rift in the family.When he dies, he leaves a bequest that is a double edged sword. The housekeeper places her daughter in service, and it is there that the daughter will learn some difficult life lessons but also reap some wonderful rewards. It will bring about a joyous reunification of her family and ensure a bright and happy future for herself. It is a wonderfully told story. I loved it!

Firstly, I'm writing this so that hopefully the rest of the world who reads the comments under this film doesn't think Americans all have their minds in the gutter. Here's what I saw: an old, lonely man without a family, without a light in his life, decides to help those in need by giving them a roof, a home, and a teacher. He teaches the children French and Latin. The oldest boy doesn't see the point in book-learning, but his teacher promises him a pony if he'll do the work. But the teacher doesn't end up having enough money. The boy became angry. The man tries to go and calm him down by hugging him, and the boy takes a sickle to his teacher, slicing him to bits. The boys' mother, who is in no way attractive, then accuses the man of unnatural love towards her son, much the same way that Scarface's friend called the girl he flicked his tongue at unsuccessfully " a lesbian". This is how rejected people sometimes deal with their feelings, and her crying after she got naked and waited in bed for him to come is evidence of her feeling scorned.Secondly, I have not read the book, so if my understanding of the film is distorted because of that, let me apologize beforehand. But what I saw was a story about the way education, and thusly knowledge, affects the world around us. Some people consider education a threat, and try to "keep people in their places" by restricting access to it. Some people can even become so afraid they attack those who know more. And then there are those who try to spread learning around, teaching, as it were. This story's main protagonist does exactly this, helping people, especially poor women, empower themselves so they won't be taken advantage of as much.

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie and would probably have enjoyed it more had it been a lavish BBC production. Whilst the story is timeless and beautiful I felt it deserved more, you will undestand me in the last few frames of the movie. Seems bit like an outdated production from the 70's-80's. Am not criticising any of the actors who all did very well, its the production. Thats why I say a lavish BBC production may do it justice. But let that not deter you from seeing this lovely period drama. Oh, and no its not for mothers alone as some reviewers may have mentioned, I bought it for myself and I'm a grandfather and an avid sci.fi. addict, and do appreciate and love period dramas.If you have found any of my words helpful to you at all, please vote on it. Thanks.

A good story about a man who educates the children of a woman who becomes his housekeeper and after his death leaves his house to the woman for her life or until she marries and then to her daughter. The daughter is forced to work under terrible conditions in a the big house until she ultimately marries one of the family. She and her new husband are both passionate about education and at the end are to open a school.

Good

Arrived on time and perfectly packaged. As with all of Catherine Cookson's stories, very good, about a woman who starts off dirt poor but, in the end, comes into her own.

Great story