Review of Coming Home

Introduction

I`d never heard of this story until I sat down to watch it. On first glance it looked like the typical Sunday tea-time BBC costume drama that was served up during the 1980s and 1990s. That description is still partly true, even after watching it.

It was actually made by ITV, and broadcast in 1998, with the sequel being broadcast the following year. Since the only thing that I watch on ITV is football, that would account for why I have never heard of it. And looking at the back cover, it comes across as something that`s not really my cup of tea.

Video

Hmmmm. A non anamorphic 1.66:1 (ish) transfer is on offer here, which is a bit of a puzzle. Having missed the original broadcast, I don`t know how it was filmed and transmitted, although I can`t imagine that this is the correct ratio.

However, what we do get looks very good indeed, and there aren`t any problems to report. The image has only minor blemishes popping up now and again, colours are good, and the Cornish countryside (or that which passes for it) looks very nice indeed.

There are also some black and white "Pathe News" style clips dotted throughout, and these also look good.

Audio

A DD2.0 stereo soundtrack, which does its job well. There aren`t any moments that would have enjoyed the use of further channels, so the stereo soundtrack is adequate.

Dialogue is clear and audible at all times, and the jaunty jazz-tinged soundtrack fits nicely with the on-screen action. Look out for some incredibly plummy accents (mainly Penelope Keith and Joanna Lumley), and there are actually one or two Cornish ones too (given that the story is mostly set in Cornwall).

Features

I was quite surprised to find some extras here too. There`s an excerpt (nearly 30 minutes) from a BBC Rosamunde Pilcher documentary, which tells you plenty about the author of the story and has some nice background details, as well as a few behind the scenes shots from the filming of the story.

There`s also a biography of Rosamunde Pilcher and one for Emily Mortimer, who you might have spotted in Notting Hill or Scream 3.

Conclusion

Despite my initial reservations, I actually enjoyed watching this, even though it went on for over three hours. Whilst there are plenty of predictable scenes, and you are sometimes just waiting for the next obvious plot move, there are also some scenes that will genuinely surprise you. There`s quite a lot of nudity for something rated as a 12, which is slightly surprising.

The cast are the usual selection of British TV stars, with Joanna Lumley, Peter O`Toole, Penelope Keith and Susan Hampshire being the bigger names. Emily Mortimer is the star as Judith Dunbar, and Keira Knightley does a good job as the younger version of Judith. We also get to meet Katie Ryder Richardson, who is the cousin of Anna, scourge of anyone who lets their house appear on a BBC DIY show.

Recommended for anyone who enjoys a typical BBC period drama, or for fans of Pilcher, although I`m led to believe that the adaptation does differ quite a bit from the original novel. Surprisingly enjoyable.