The Little House - DaaVeeDee

The Little House (DVD) (*)

Out of Stock

Language Selections:
English ( Dolby Digital Stereo )
English ( Subtitles )

Product Origin/Format:
United Kingdom ( PAL/Region 2 )

Running Time:
87 min

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen (1.78:1)

Special Features:
Interactive Menu
Scene Access

Movie filmed in 2010 and produced in:
United Kingdom ( Great Britain, Ireland )

Directed By:
Jamie Payne

Written By:
Philippa Gregory
Ed Whitmore

Actors:
Francesca Annis ..... Elizabeth (2 episodes, 2010)
Jonathan Aris ..... Doctor McFadden
Rupert Evans ..... Patrick
Lucy Griffiths ..... Ruth (2 episodes, 2010)
Sam Hazeldine ..... David
David Mallinson ..... Doctor Fairley (2 episodes, 2010)
Tom McKay ..... Ruth's Father
Tim Pigott-Smith ..... Frederick

Synopsis:

The Little House is a thrilling 2 part feature length drama adaptation of Philippa Gregory's best selling novel, which explores the psychological power struggles within one family. Adapted for television by Ed Whitmore (Identity, Waking The Dead). BAFTA winning actress Francesca Annis (Cranford) stars alongside renowned film, stage and television actors Tim Pigott-Smith (Foyle's War) and Rupert Evans (Emma) and rising star Lucy Griffiths (Collision). Ruth (Griffiths), is married to career minded Patrick (Evans) as she is pushed towards the limits of her own sanity when she becomes entangled in the lives of her wealthy but interfering in-laws Elizabeth (Annis) and Frederick (Pigott-Smith). After falling unexpectedly pregnant, Ruth finds herself swept along on a tide of apparently well-intentioned family gestures which leave the previously independent teacher detached from her former city life and living in 'the little house' at the end of her in-laws' driveway. Elizabeth's complex relationship with Ruth is subtly developed as they both try and take control of their connected lives until, inevitably, and very dramatically, they reach a point of no return. Is Elizabeth playing mind games with Ruth? Could she really be manipulating events against her daughter in-law? Or is Ruth hysterically distorting things in her own mind?

Season 1
Season 1, Episode 1: Episode #1.1
Original Air Date-1 November 2010
Orphaned as a child in a car crash caused by her unstable mother Ruth is not happy to fall unexpectedly pregnant by husband Patrick. After baby Thomas is born the young couple move to a little house in the country bought for them by his parents,Frederick and Elizabeth,who live nearby. Ruth does not cope well with motherhood and finds Elizabeth gradually taking over her role in a subtle,manipulative way,though she is outwardly kind and friendly. Ruth believes Thomas senses she did not want him and is far better behaved for her mother-in-law,who dotes on him. After she thinks she sees her mother walking in the woods she is diagnosed with a form of post-natal depression and given pills. However Elizabeth coerces Patrick into persuading her to take in-patient psychiatric treatment.
Season 1, Episode 2: Episode #1.2
Original Air Date-November 2010
In hospital Ruth realises that she truly loves Thomas and her therapists suggest that Elizabeth is not as supportive as she pretends. On discharge she bonds well with her baby and is mystified by an incident where Thomas appears to have got hold of her anti-depressant pills,even though they were out of his reach. It is also clear that,whilst Elizabeth is wholly dismissive of her daughter who lives abroad,she is unnaturally doting on Patrick. When Ruth suggests that she and Patrick go on holiday with Thomas, Frederick and Patrick support the idea but Elizabeth is firmly against it. Ruth gradually starts to see that Elizabeth,in her desire to have her son and grand-son for herself,has been creating situations to make her daughter-in-law appear unstable and an unfit mother. There is one final confrontation between the two women before Ruth and Patrick are allowed to parent their baby properly and lovingly.

A reluctant mother, young Ruth Clee's post natal vulnerability and failure to bond with her baby is exploited by Elizabeth, her manipulative mother-in-law in a battle to seize control of the child.

This product was added to our catalog on Thursday 10 November, 2011.