The Camomile Lawn

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Film Description

Felicity Kendal and Paul Eddington star as Helena and Richard Cuthbertson in this classic adaptation of Mary Wesley’s much-acclaimed second novel, directed by Peter Hall.

It is August 1939 and five young cousins gather on the Camomile Lawn behind Aunt Helena’s house for one last terror run along the Cornish cliffs. The imminent outbreak of war brings with it a heady sense of exultation and freedom, and for Oliver, Calypso, Polly, Walter and young Sophy, the Camomile Lawn becomes the touchstone for their lost innocence.

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Review by MovieMail on 6th May 2008

Based on the semi-autobiographical novel by Mary Wesley, The Camomile Lawn – a saga covering the lives, loves and liaisons of the Cuthbertson family against the backdrop of WWII – created a universal appeal on television through its lovely performances and beautiful production values. A fair amount of sexually explicit activity among its young and attractive cast did nothing to dampen its audience’s ardour either, though was controversial so close to the 9pm watershed.

Beginning on the eve of WWII, which comes to interrupt the sun-filled summer of 1939, the gossipy drama unfolds as an oral history of the family. Like the best period dramas, it gives us strong, fallible characters and sumptuous costumes and scenery – not least that surrounding the Cornish clifftop residence. Felicity Kendall has a grand old time as Aunt Helena, alternatively snobbish and endearing, whilst Jennifer Ehle steals scenes as Calypso, the vampish daughter who would rather pretend she married her husband for wealth than admit to any feelings of love.

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