Akenfield

1974

Action / Drama

1
IMDb Rating 7.2/10 10 171 171

suffolk, england

Plot summary

As a young man, Tom, prepares to leave the Suffolk village of his birth, voices and experiences from his family's past crowd in on his mind, weaving a poetic tapestry of the love of home and the longing to get away from it.

Director

Peter Hall Photo
Peter Hall

Top cast

Stanley Baxter Photo
Stanley Baxter as Blacksmith
John Simpson Photo
John Simpson
Garrow Shand Photo
Garrow Shand as Tom Rouse
Peggy Cole Photo
Peggy Cole as Dulcie Rouse
720p.BluRay
899.34 MB
1280*544
English 2.0
NR
Subtitles us  
24 fps
1 hr 37 min
Seeds 1

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by jbashfield

Three generations of a Suffolk farming come together

When this film came out in 1974, it was unique for two reasons. Firstly, most of the cast were not professional actors/actresses and secondly, the film was screened on London Weekend television at the same time it was shown in the cinemas. Back in 1974 the film, although considered innovative, was regarded more for being unusual than for being a 'classic piece of work'. Following its re-release on DVD, Akenfield has withstood the test of time better than most films of its generation and has now become a piece of East Anglian history in its own right. It has without question captured a snap shot of life in the countryside not just thirty years ago, but in Victorian times as well. Life on a farm in Suffolk has changed so dramatically since the seventies it is unlikely we will ever see anything quite like it again. When first shown in 1974 Akenfield attracted some 14 million viewers, a rating most program makers today can only dream of!
Reviewed by mark.waltz 10 / 10

An astonishing work of art thankfully rediscovered.

This is almost a semi documentary, beautifully filmed look at life in the country, acted out by non-professionals who improvised the script due to union rules, and that presents a fresh take on a story that might have seemed rather ordinary had it been done with professionals. It surrounds the character of Tom (Garrow Shand) who is dealing with events surrounding his grandfather's funeral, and emomoting about why he has decided to leave the village for greener pastures. The family members and villagers all weigh in on their feelings on various topics, going from their love of their town to their disappointment as to why Tom feels he has to leave. No one is angry over the situation, just dealing with their bereavement and slightly disappointed that the town's traditions aren't of value to Tom past his own memories.The people surrounding Tom are certainly wonderful, and while I can understand his reluctance to leave, it's easy to see his desire to move on. It is a gorgeous pound, that is for sure, and the photography and sound effects makes you see every grain of grass and hear every chirping bird. The homes are beautiful and the people are hospitable and charming, but for a young man, it's obvious that he seems more to life and just everything that he has grown up with.What is wonderful to see is Tom's encounters with various people in his town, his desire to capture one last moment with them, respectful yet determined. What becomes clear is that some of the men of the town wish secretly that they had done it themselves, knowing that it's too late now. Truly a wonderful film to see, utilizing flashbacks of the town in the past to add an emotional impact to the story. It's bittersweet for its leaving character because while he has no desire to remain, he'll take every experience he has had there with him and keep that in his heart forever.
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