The Dwelling Place (1994– ) User Reviews

The novel is far better than the film.

[gloryoaks-752-407328 · 7/10 · 13 August 2013]

The Dwelling Place is a wonderful novel which covers some 20 years and provides meaningful character development. By trying to cram the story into three years, the film presents Cissie and Clive as foolish and weak--people who clearly are not ready for the suddenly happy ending the screenwriter contrives for them. After picturing the strong-minded and orderly Cissie of the book, the actress selected for the part seemed all wrong to me. She seldom portrayed dignity, she smiled too much, and her witch-like tangle of hair had nothing in common with Cissie's shining braids. The actor portraying Clive looked like a weak-chinned villain, not the Clive of the book whose appearance and character are hardened by his experiences at sea. One other major discrepancy: In the book Cissie has three or four small children to feed; that is why the older children must go out and work. In the film, there was no reason for her to stay at home and send them all out to bring in money. The English countryside enhanced the film, and credit goes to the actors who perfectly portrayed Matthew, the evil Isobel, and the rejected miller's wife.

Ideal winter Sunday afternoon viewing...............

[ianlouisiana · 7/10 · 25 February 2013]

Featuring a magisterial performance from Miss T.Whitwell as Cissie,oldest of her surviving siblings thrown out of a tied cottage on the death of their parents in the North - East of England in 1837. Determined to avoid the dreaded workhouse she takes them to a cave on the fells which she turns into their home. Loved by a kindly but weak flourmill worker who marries the miller's daughter for her money,and raped by a weak,drunken aristo(egged on by his appalling sister - a recurring theme in Miss Cookson's work),she becomes pregnant and gives birth to the heir to a baronetcy who becomes the object of an epic struggle. Cissie makes pragmatic decisions with everybody's interest but her own paramount. Unlikely though it may be in our more enlightened age,she forgives her rapist and agrees to marry him,thus legitimising her son. Simple enough stuff then,put like that,but "The dwelling-place" glitters with fine performances and conveys the atmosphere of early Industrial Revolution England,although oddly.no mention is made of the new Queen,Victoria,whose reign would have just begun. "Catherine Cookson Presents" is a well - made series with good production values,fine performances and a pleasing repertory company of actors to ensure the high standard is maintained. "The Dwelling Place" is an excellent example.

Catherine Cookson is rolling in her grave

[Saramee68 · 2/10 · 24 January 2016]

The Dwelling Place is one of the best books I've ever read with strong characters and an unforgettable plot. This movie is NOTHING like the book. Nothing. The Cissie of the book was beautiful, strong, dignified and weighed down by the burden of having to feed and shelter nine children; the Cissie in the movie looked and acted like a street urchin who never displayed grief at losing her parents and who obviously never combed her hair.

The characters of Isabel and Clive were so stereotypical that it was laughable - she was the evil witch and he was the weak-kneed pretty boy with not one ounce of courage.

The only cast member worth a nickel was Ray (who played Matthew). The screenwriters and directors of this joke should hang their heads in shame.

Starts off well but peters out and then falls flat..

[Embley · 17 March 2000]

**possible spoiler**

No.. sorry - I don't think she would marry the guy who raped her no matter how "sorry" he was.

I liked the beginning - the character of Cissie was good and the story interesting - to say nothing of the countryside which has caused me to seriously consider moving to Great Britain. But at some point in the story the actions of the main character become improbable. I could understand her giving up her baby when she saw no way out... I could understand her not spending a dime (or shilling, I should say) of the money... But when the rapist shows up again all apologetic and she actually listens to him - no. When she is given back her child and then after a few days she decides to return the child to the paternal grandfather - no.

Too bad about that, it started off well.