FIVE REASONS TO DISCOVER MASTERPIECE’S THE MAKING OF A LADY
Discovering obscure little period dramas has, historically, been a kind of hobby or mission of mine. The popular remakes or adaptations of respected works of literature are “easy” to stumble upon. It’s the adaptations that keep to the shadows which deserve some attention. Author Frances Hodgson Burnett is a well-respected author from the 1800’s. It’s a name most of us recognize for her children’s literature though she did have other stories and writings to tell. Her novel Little Lord Fauntleroy (1886) is said to be her most popular, whereas I most know her from A Little Princess (1905) and The Secret Garden (1911). Before those, she penned the adult novel The Making of a Marchioness (1901) or as it’s sometimes known, Emily Fox-Seton. I learned of this story thanks to a friend talking about the adaptation during its 2012 U.K. airing. About two years after this, it made its way to the states on ITV/Masterpiece Theatre. Because of this, know we want to introduce you (anew) to a period drama and the five reasons to discover The Making of a Lady.
RELATED LIST | SOME OF THE BEST ADAPTATIONS OF MARY SHELLEY’S ‘FRANKENSTEIN’
FIVE REASONS TO DISCOVER MASTERPIECE’S THE MAKING OF A LADY. As we are on this #AllHallowsEve (eve), let us convince you to try #MasterpiecePBS The Making of a Lady! #Gothic #PeriodDrama #Halloween Share on XIf you don’t know what the story is about, it centers on a young woman named Emily (played by Lydia Wilson) who is of good birth, but hasn’t a penny to her name. She’s currently employed by a wealthy woman whose widowed nephew, Lord Walderhurst (Linus Roache) is looking for a wife. Circumstances send Walderhurst calling on Emily and proposing a marriage of convenience. Emily reluctantly accepts, given her change of circumstance, and she arrives at his estate where a marriage takes place. Once there, a greedy relative arrives with sinister thoughts. Intriguing, right?
As it is hours away from the spooky All Hallows Eve holiday, it seems the most ideal of times to reshare this list of reasons to discover The Making of a Lady. An additional reason for sharing this is because this is a little known period film (in my experience), here are five reasons you might want to look it up.
FIVE REASONS to DISCOVER THE MAKING of a LADY
THE CAST and CHARACTERS
There is a great mix of veteran actors and newcomers starring in this one, and everyone does a splendid job with their characters. Linus Roache, James D’Arcy and Joanne Lumley are the familiar names while Lydia Wilson plays the unique character of Emily. For some, she’ll be a boring and stiff character (she doesn’t have a “spark” in her nor does she commonly assert herself), but I think she’s a woman of circumstances, which is why she isn’t a fiery kind of heroine.
In her marriage, she seems to find more of a voice, opening up to someone and allowing herself to feel safe and loved, perhaps for the first time. Of course, later she reverts as subdued because she’s unwittingly trapped in her own home.
COSTUMES
As one would expect of a period drama, the costuming is gorgeous in this. But if every other costume were to fall flat (they don’t), the wedding gown ensemble alone is worth seeing this film for! Emily’s dress is to die for. The cut, the style, the entire “look” is just gorgeous.
FRANCES HODGSON BURNETT
Yes, I realize I’ve already mentioned the author, but really, she’s worth mentioning again because… this story! I don’t see this one getting many compliments and perhaps this isn’t a nice adaptation, but as a film, I think this one is gorgeous, unique and wonderful. Though much different than her children’s literature, this film does have a similar vibe going for it. Especially when considering A Little Princess. Not because the stories mirror each other, rather in tone and atmosphere.
GOTHIC
Who doesn’t love a bit of Gothic storytelling now and again? This story builds to being the quintessential Gothic-esque tale. The contrasts (happy beginnings vs. impending doom) are startling sometimes, but there is an odd delicate manner to the story that helps offset this. Its atmosphere suits the Gothic genre and the eventual drama (including whispers of murder) play right into the “proper” idea such an aura should set. This theme might also be a downfall for some potential viewers as key elements do get a bit creepy; sequences that are some of the best actually. Before that, while things are pleasant, there’s a slow start getting a good plot to work up. The writer seemed to know just how to draw a viewer in (with sunshine and laughter) before a twisted reminder that no one is safe.
THE ROMANCE
Ah, here we have a light in all of the darkness. The romance in this film is darling. Sadly, it isn’t given as much screen time as it deserves given the newlyweds seperate for the majority of the film, but what there is, is full of joy. Seeing them both so much happier than we thought possible for two characters with such rocky beginnings, is a reward in and of itself.
Photos: Masterpiece PBS / ITV | Feature DVD / Key Art: PBS
Stream, at publication, The Making of a Lady with Masterpiece PBS; find the DVD at Amazon.com or purchase digitally on places like Prime Video.
Have you seen The Making of the Lady? What’s your favorite Frances Hodgson Burnett adaptation or Gothic period film? What would you add to this list of reasons to discover The Making of a Lady? Share any thoughts down below.
PINTEREST PIN – SAVE & SHARE
Note: this list / publication first appeared on Silver Petticoat Review in 2015. This has updates, and is a new publication here.
