Parade's End

A BBC/HBO co-produced five-episode miniseries, Parade's End is adapted from Ford Madox Ford's tetralogy centering on the transformation of British society during the early 20th century. Opening in Britain on the eve of World War I and continuing through the decade, the production stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Christopher Tietjens, a serious, cultured gentleman trying to maintain the dignity of 19th-century values in a rapidly-changing world, and Rebecca Hall as his beautiful but inconstant wife, Sylvia, a woman who is attracted by Christopher's intellect and commitment but is also so frustrated by his emotionless manner that she indulges in public affairs. Adelaide Clemens costars as Valentine Wannop, an idealistic suffragette who shakes up Christopher's convictions. The dense screenplay, scripted by playwright Tom Stoppard, slips back and forth across the timeline as it takes in a turbulent decade of change at a measured pace befitting the idealism of old world aristocracy that Christopher mourns. Susanna White directs with an eye toward the soft, ethereal beauty of this bygone world. Although rather slow (even by British TV standards), Parade's End is intelligent, richly detailed, and full of vivid, complicated characters, so fans of British TV drama (and English literature) should find it both interesting and rewarding. Earning five Emmys, Parade's End bows on DVD and Blu-ray with extras including an audio interview with Stoppard conducted by film critic Elvis Mitchell (the Blu-ray release also features a bonus digital copy). Highly recommended. (S. Axmaker)