Akenfield

I watched this film when it first came out in 1974 as there was a lot of publicity about what a revolutionary film it was and it was set locally to where I was living at the time, Cambridge, England. I'm afraid that I was not impressed. Pretty pictures and an "arty" film, but nothing much happens in any sort of way for the full the full length of the film and you are left coming out thinking "what was that all about?". If you like pictures of rural scenery and are put off by action or complicated plot you will love this film. A film to take you back in time...

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!