"The Cazalets" (2001) TV series

User Rating:

8.1/10   

Director:

Suri Krishnamma

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

22 June 2001 (UK)

Genre:

Drama | War

Plot Keywords:

England | Death | Pregnancy | Pacifist | Family Relationships

Awards:

3 nominations

Cast

Hugh Bonneville	...	Hugh Cazalet (6 episodes, 2001)
Stephen Dillane	...	Edward Cazalet (6 episodes, 2001)
Lesley Manville	...	Villy Cazalet (6 episodes, 2001)
Joanna Page	...	Zoe Cazalet (6 episodes, 2001)
Anna Chancellor	...	Diana Mackintosh (6 episodes, 2001)
Penny Downie	...	Sid (6 episodes, 2001)
Anastasia Hille	...	Sybil Cazalet (6 episodes, 2001)
John McArdle	...	Tonbridge (6 episodes, 2001)
Ursula Howells	...	Kitty Cazalet (6 episodes, 2001)
Patsy Rowlands	...	Miss Millament (6 episodes, 2001)
Frederick Treves	...	William Cazalet (6 episodes, 2001)
Catherine Russell	...	Rachel Cazalet (6 episodes, 2001)
Florence Hoath	...	Clary Cazalet (6 episodes, 2001)
Jacqueline Tong	...	Mrs. Cripps (6 episodes, 2001)
Emma Griffiths Malin	...	Louise Cazalet (6 episodes, 2001)
Claudia Renton	...	Polly Cazalet (6 episodes, 2001)
Camilla Mathias	...	Maid (6 episodes, 2001)
Paul Rhys	...	Rupert Cazalet (5 episodes, 2001)
Ben Simpson	...	Teddy Cazalet (4 episodes, 2001)
Alexander Pownall	...	Neville Cazalet (4 episodes, 2001)
Tammy Mendelson	...	Dottie (4 episodes, 2001)
Francesca Wicks	...	Lydia Cazalet (4 episodes, 2001)
Rosie Ede	...	Phyllis (3 episodes, 2001)
Katya Harvey	...	Stella Rose (3 episodes, 2001)
Stephen Churchett	...	Dr. Carr (2 episodes, 2001)
Claire Hackett	...	Mrs. Tonbridge (2 episodes, 2001)
Gregg Prentice	...	Harry Tonbridge (2 episodes, 2001)
Eve Pearce	...	Aunt Anna (2 episodes, 2001)
Cate Fowler	...	Mrs. Rose (2 episodes, 2001)
Mark Bazeley	...	Michael Hadleigh (2 episodes, 2001)
Matthew Marsh	...	Otto Rose (2 episodes, 2001)
Lavinia Bertram	...	Ellen (2 episodes, 2001)

Also Known As:

The Cazalet Chronicle (UK) (working title)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Filming Locations:

Wrotham Park, Barnet, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Goofs:

Factual errors: In the credits for two of the episodes they misspell the actor who plays Christopher Castle's name, instead of "Nicholas Audsley" he's listed as "Nicholas Adsley".

Movie Connections:

Featured in Verity Lambert: Drama Queen (2008) (TV)

Just run the plot past me again...

...I'm afraid I missed that altogether.

The series has just finished its run on ABC-TV in Australia. I just can't recall what the point or plot of the series was. It drifted through a series of charming 1940s vignettes (far removed from the realities of the war) but never developed any action, any interest, or anything much at all. It sort of fizzled out in about 1942 with a pointless wedding. That bridal dress must have used a ton of coupons.

As pointed out in another review there were some glaring errors. (i) despite having their timber business bombed out by the Germans the Casulets managed to keep on with their luxurious middle class life with nary a blip. Even kept the servants on. Hardly did a lick of work at business, before or after the bombing - obviously one of those wonderful self-managing operations. (ii) Never was the tranquility of their splendiferous rural retreat disturbed by the passage of hundreds of low-flying aircraft overhead. Couldn't have been anywhere in the south. (iii) Always bright sunshine, even in the depths of winter. (iv) The airfield, with a single fighter that taxied back and forth, was a manicured bowling green. A rutted quagmire would have been realistic. The windows were always spotlessly clean and never fogged up.

On the other hand, perhaps this is what WWII was like for those with pots of money -- a bit of a doddle.

Summary: 4 out of 10. A tremendous disappointment. "Dad's Army" is more plausible than "The Cazalets".