Lark Rise to Candleford: Season 3

Purchased used, but set was like new. I do love great deals like this set was!

Thanks to a friend who lives in England, I was able to watch Season 3 of LRtC a couple of months ago, but I have been patiently awaiting the DVD release here in the United States (it took them long enough!). I have been a faithful fan of LRtC since Season One and just love this period drama centered on the inhabitants of the hamlet of Lark Rise and the town of Candleford. The casting is excellent, with a talented ensemble cast who add real depth to the characters portrayed, the stories are generally interesting with real human drama with all the pains and joys experienced by the inhabitants of Lark Rise and Candleford, and the cinematography is simply breathtaking.Season Three sees the introduction of a significant new character, Daniel Parrish (played by Ben Aldridge), a young journalist who arrives in Lark Rise with some life-altering news for the Timmins. Emma (Claudie Blakley) might inherit a fortune, and both Emma and her husband Robert (Brendan Coyle) ponder the possibilities and opportunities this signifies for them as a family. Parrish is also drawn to Laura Timmins (Olivia Hallinan) who has matured into a true beauty, but still harbors heartache from the break-up with clockmaker Fisher Price in Season 2.The independent and strong-willed Dorcas Lane (played by the talented and lovely Julia Sawalha) continues as Candleford's postmistress, and experiences some human drama of her own, taking on a role that she finds fulfills her immensely. Unlike previous seasons, Dorcas' story is no longer the only dominant thread this season, as other characters begin to get more screen time (yes, I was not too pleased with this, but I felt some of these stories were still well done). One story arc which I particularly enjoyed watching was the marital adventures of postman Thomas Brown (Mark Heap) and his devoted wife Margaret Ellison (Sandy McDade). Their antics just make me laugh out loud, and yet there is also a poignancy to their marriage which is explored later in the season. This balance makes them an interesting couple to watch on-screen and the actors outdo themselves in lending credibility and depth to their characters.Minnie, the bumbling yet lovable maid from Season 2 is given a meatier role this season, and I loved how Dorcas takes Minnie under her wing, grooming her not for a life of servitude but for something far more worthy and fulfilling, with mixed results - a blend of hilarity and poignancy that had me laughing one moment and tearing up the next.Strong and resilient Emma Timmins also gets a chance to explore other sides to her role - she is not just a loving mother and loyal wife this season, but yearns to be something more which I felt rounded-out her character very nicely this season. One of the story arcs I've loved throughout seasons 1-3 is the strong bond of love between Robert and Emma Timmins, one which is further explored this season.The Pratt sisters, Ruby and Pearl (Victoria Hamilton and Matilda Zeigler) continue their roles as town busybodies and this season sees a major upheaval which threatens the sisters formerly close knit bond with each other. Young Alf Arless (John Dagliesh, also one of my favorite characters after Dorcas and Robert) begins to mature into his role as the head of his family, assuming real responsibilities, but also faces some serious and heartbreaking challenges.This season also sees the inhabitants of Lark Rise and Candleford coming together in times of crisis, helping each other out, and setting aside their differences which I felt was timely and touching. The stories make you feel like you're there, experiencing these people's joys and pains, their triumphs and failures, and the slowly developing sense of community between both hamlets.There are many other story threads this season that will engage viewers and keep them riveted to the screen. Is Season Three as good as Seasons 1 & 2? Well, on some counts yes, and others no, but the talented ensemble cast puts together another charming and poignant season to please viewers in general. I only hope Season 4 is a reality and that BBC continues making this wonderful period drama!

This masterful Victorian Britain series has equaled, or bettered, "Little House on the Prairie." English country life at a poetic, pictorial, and enchanting peak. Lives of those living in Lark Rise and Candleford mingle as delicately and wonderfully as frosting on a bridal cake. Even the DVD's music puts a sanguine sugarcoating on the period.4 DVDs, 12 episodes, about 12 hours, all 1800s awesome. Subtitled. It is romance, nostalgia, saga, suspense, drama, well...it's a cornucopia of viewing that is not to be missed. Especially for the folks who have already sat through seasons 1 & 2, it continues with a great and large nucleus cast, but the stories and depth of characters are growing with the show's movement.Julia Sawalha (`Return to Cranford') as Dorcas continues as a major player, the postmistress of Candleford, but how long can she keep the postal position? Claudie Blakley (also of `Return to Cranford') as Emma, work well together, both with female roles that show a modern worthiness of women, but without hurting the period setting of the series. Her devoted husband, Robert (Brendan Coyle) delightful marriage interaction between the two, gives way from some of the Timmins family emphasis, to the advancement of Emma. Even though the show offers these 21 century tendencies, it harms nothing of the charm and warmth of a perfection of Victorian set, costume, and attitude that this show, now in year 3 has become known for. Jane Austin would have loved this show. And Catherine Cookson too, although most of Lark Rise and Candleford are less brutal than the commoners and towns of Cookson's adapted works.Journalist, Daniel Parish (Ben Aldridge) arrives in town which leads to several situations for locals. Viewers will confront measles, witchcraft, bribes, pregnancy, beggars to inheritants, romance, rivalries, and multiple job-insecurity issues. Life. Life as we see now, and life in the 1880s. Amazing writing. Riveting dialogue.Also, be warned. Expect belly laughs too. Those Pratt sisters, Twister (OK tears too) and wife, Queenie, not to mention, Thomas the Bible-quoting, bike-riding, mail-deliverer, and his wife, Margaret (all returning regulars) could put together a comedy show every bit as good as this dramatic series has been--from day one. There is an abundance of fine British dramatic programming available, but this has to be one of my favorite.It's very comparable to "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman" in that it is a continuing family struggle 1800s adventure, and hopefully the lady postmistress will survive as long as the lady doctor did. The end of episode 12 does lend itself to continuation, thankfully. I do SO RECOMMEND "Lark Rise to Candleford" series 1 and 2 as well. It is all fantastic 5-star good.

This is the third series of the TV programe based upon the books around the fictional town of Candleford. At the end of the second series, James Dowland found out that he had a son; as James has decided to return to London, the young boy is left with Dorcas to live in the Post Office. A new character in the form of Daniel Parish arrives, and despite some initial hostility, becomes the love interest of Laura Timmins.Each episode is a separate story and they can easily stand on their own; however, as a series they work really well together and portray life in rural England at the end of the 19th century in a way that really brings it to life. The sets are extremely well created with great attention to detail and it is almost impossible to believe that the shops and houses have not actually been there for generations. Equally, the costumes are very authentic and do a great deal to set the atmosphere.The BBC does do period drama exceptionally well and this is no exception. It's the kind of programme that a lot of people like to see and is a refreshing change from some of the "reality" shows that seem to highlight the more unpleasant aspects of life. It is a family programme and one that is well worth watching from an educational sense as well as entertainment.Sadly, the BBC have decided not to make any more of these, so I would suggest that you grab the DVD sets to enjoy whenever you want.

Having watched the series when it was on TV and thoroughly enjoyed it, we wanted to watch it over again. Buying this series was great and we watch it frequently drifting back in to times gone by. The chacters become large as life and we can repeat some scenes and continually find items that we missed in previous viewings. If you like period dramas, this is right down that street with the best. The experience improves with the more series that we collect. The package arrived almost immediately allowing us to get straight down to our enjoyment.

This was lovely comfort viewing in many ways but I get so annoyed with the scriptwriters making characters behave 'out of character' just to get a story out of them. And I do wonder whether there would have been the constant walking to and fro between Lark Rise and Candleford, particularly in the dark! And would the people of Candleford have mixed so freely with Lark Rise inhabitants, who seem to have a lot of leisure time to walk the fields and lanes meeting each other or visiting. If it wasn't for Thomas and Margaret Brown, Minnie and Alf Arless and the gorgeous Brendan Coyle, Mrs Timmins and QueenieTurrell I don't know whether I would bother.

My wife and I are fully amazed at how the quality of the storyline and the portrayal of the characters continue to impress in this third series. We did not see the original episodes on TV so we were glued to the box for twelve nights as we saw each one in turn every evening. All types of emotional drama and personal turmoil is unfurled in each one and then skillfully wrapped up again at the end. Not one episode disappointed. We fully recommend this series as high-quality, thoughtful entertainment.

I love this series even though i had to get a refund for this box set as the delivery driver should of knocked to get me to sign for it but never so he put it through the door and my dogs got hold of it and tore the whole box including the disc's apart so had a word with amazon about there delivery people they use and the driver and they were going to see who it was and askhim what he was playing at, but yes i love lark rise to candleford