'Outstanding' wartime drama hailed 'a magical escape' by fans
Period drama enthusiasts are set for a real treat as Prime Video hosts a film that Waterside Holiday Group has branded a "touching wartime drama".
The picture was penned and helmed by actor Charles Dance and draws inspiration from a 1908 short story by William J. Locke. Several major stars featured in the production, including Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, and Miriam Margolyes.
The tale centres on the Widdington sisters Janet and Ursula, who reside in scenic coastal Cornwall, known for being a backdrop for period dramas, within a close-knit fishing community in 1936. They stumble upon a dashing stranger, a Polish violinist from Kraków, who had been voyaging to America when he was washed overboard from his vessel.
The motion picture in question is Ladies in Lavender, which can be purchased or hired on Prime Video.
Long-standing pals Maggie Smith and Judi Dench had been performing together in a West End production when Charles Dance initially approached them regarding the venture.
They instantly agreed to his proposal without even perusing the screenplay, which proved fortunate for Charles as it was reported they were his sole choice for the leading parts and without them, the picture wouldn't have materialised.
Waterside Holiday Group commented on the film's setting: "Some of the locations chosen for the film's most hauntingly memorable scenes include Cadgwith, a picturesque fishing village on the Lizard Peninsula, and Mullion Cove, another stunning coastal location on the Lizard Peninsula, which is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty."
Both leading ladies received nominations for Best European Actress at the European Film Awards following the film's debut.
The film was met with high praise from viewers, with one fan, Graham Monkman, sharing on Google Reviews: "This delightful movie will take you back to England in the 30's.
"It's a magical escape from today's turbulent and uncertain world into a much gentler, innocent and simpler era – which was ultimately destroyed forever by the rise of fascism in Europe and the onset of the Second World War."
Laura Henderson chimed in: "I absolutely love this picture. Not only does it give us two wonderful true ladies of the film industry, Judi Dench and Maggie Smith, but a lovely eclectic group of other people."
George Chard rounded off the reviews, stating: "Outstanding movie about impossible loves. All round superb acting performances by each of the actors. This is one of those movies that should have won major accolades."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fashion United
an hour ago
- Fashion United
Latin American Fashion Awards announce global Jury for 2025 edition
The Latin American Fashion Awards has announced its jury for the second edition, taking place from 6–9 November 2025 at Casa de Campo Resort in the Dominican Republic. Founded by Constanza Cavalli Etro and Silvia Argüello, the biennial event positions itself as a global platform for Latin American creatives, following a 2023 debut that drew participants from more than 25 countries and generated an estimated 3.3 billion media impressions. The 2025 panel blends returning industry figures, including Elle US editor-in-chief Nina García, Italian fashion journalist Anna dello Russo, CFDA chief executive Steven Kolb, and Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana president Carlo Capasa, with newcomers such as BoF founder Imran Amed, designer and sustainability advocate Gabriela Hearst, ZⓈONAMACO art fair founder Zélika García, and creative director Juan Costa Paz. Together, they will determine winners across 14 categories spanning designers, stylists, photographers, fashion filmmakers, and sustainability initiatives. 'The Latin American Fashion Awards highlight underrepresented talent and celebrate cultural diversity, making the industry more reflective of the world we live in,' said Kolb. 'The opportunity to elevate visionary creatives and participate in a movement that celebrates Latin American excellence is what draws me to this project.' While the Awards are framed as a celebration of cultural heritage, their strategic importance lies in the commercial leverage they can generate for regional talent. Latin American designers are increasingly visible on international runways, both under their own labels and at the helm of European houses—yet many still face structural barriers to scaling production, accessing distribution networks, and securing investment. A cultural and commercial showcase The Awards' format, combining high-profile ceremonies, curated cultural programming, and networking events, functions as both a cultural showcase and a market access accelerator. By placing winners into a dedicated growth programme during Milan Fashion Week in September 2026, organisers are signalling a deliberate push to bridge creative recognition with tangible retail opportunities. For luxury and premium retailers, the event represents a scouting ground for new labels with distinctive aesthetic identities and authentic narratives—qualities increasingly valued by consumers seeking alternatives to homogenised global fashion. For designers, it is an entry point into a supply chain that can convert creative visibility into shelf space, collaborations, and licensing deals. With jury members drawn from publishing, design, retail, and sustainability, the Awards are positioning themselves less as a regional gala and more as an influential node in the global fashion economy, one capable of shaping trends, influencing buyer behaviour, and opening new routes to market for Latin American fashion.
Rhyl Journal
2 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
Brian Cox says new 007: Road To A Million series is ‘infinitely more dramatic'
The Prime Video reality competition series follows eight contestants as they are dropped into the high-stakes world of James Bond where they take on missions that push them to the limits, testing them physically and psychologically, for the chance to win £1 million. Watching over them is actor Cox, 79, who returns as The Controller, the stern and sardonic taskmaster. Cox said: 'It's a different series from the first one. There's more interaction between me and the contestants, which I think is a great thing and a great improvement. 'To me, that works incredibly well and I'm very excited by that. It's also infinitely more Bond-related. 'It's infinitely more dramatic than it was the last time. 'Not only is it physically demanding but they're exposing themselves to scrutiny constantly, and that's tough. I'm not sure that's something I would particularly like to do. I have respect for the contestants, because they put themselves in that frame of mind.' The new eight-part series will also see some format changes to increase the stakes and introduce new elements of competition, strategy and drama. From scaling towers in Bangkok to wreck diving with sharks in the Bahamas, the second series will take contestants around the world with episodes in Thailand, Austria and Mexico – each location coming straight out of a Bond movie. Competing against each other, the two slowest duos on each mission must face off in the Killer Question, an immersive, high-tension question that will always see one couple eliminated. Cox added: 'The relationships of the people in the show, when they're under a certain scrutiny, they behave in a certain kind of way, and that is quite moving. 'It can be incredibly touching to see their individual struggles, which is slightly separate from the challenges on the show and the competition element, but it's about how they've come to the show and where they're coming from generally in life.' The second series of 007: Road To A Million will be released on Prime Video on August 22.
The Herald Scotland
2 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Brian Cox says new 007: Road To A Million series is ‘infinitely more dramatic'
Watching over them is actor Cox, 79, who returns as The Controller, the stern and sardonic taskmaster. Brian Cox as The Controller in 007: Road To A Million (Prime Video/PA) Cox said: 'It's a different series from the first one. There's more interaction between me and the contestants, which I think is a great thing and a great improvement. 'To me, that works incredibly well and I'm very excited by that. It's also infinitely more Bond-related. 'It's infinitely more dramatic than it was the last time. 'Not only is it physically demanding but they're exposing themselves to scrutiny constantly, and that's tough. I'm not sure that's something I would particularly like to do. I have respect for the contestants, because they put themselves in that frame of mind.' The new eight-part series will also see some format changes to increase the stakes and introduce new elements of competition, strategy and drama. Contestants during a challenge in 007: Road To A Million Series 2 (Prime Video/PA) From scaling towers in Bangkok to wreck diving with sharks in the Bahamas, the second series will take contestants around the world with episodes in Thailand, Austria and Mexico – each location coming straight out of a Bond movie. Competing against each other, the two slowest duos on each mission must face off in the Killer Question, an immersive, high-tension question that will always see one couple eliminated. Cox added: 'The relationships of the people in the show, when they're under a certain scrutiny, they behave in a certain kind of way, and that is quite moving. 'It can be incredibly touching to see their individual struggles, which is slightly separate from the challenges on the show and the competition element, but it's about how they've come to the show and where they're coming from generally in life.' The second series of 007: Road To A Million will be released on Prime Video on August 22.
