Cold Comfort Farm Reviews

The book by Stella Gibbons has been a great favourite of mine for years and when I discovered my favourite actor was taking the role of the over-sexed Seth ... Oh what coincidental bliss!

Originally made for BBC TV, then later released as a film, this is a little classic which will stand the test of time. Everyone in the cast gives a gem of a performance, and of course Rufus magnificently hams up his oozing sex symbol role. His scene where he attempts to woo the less than impressed Flora (Kate Beckinsale) while she is sewing, and the closing scenes where he embarks for Hollywood are real highlights.

However, some people have said they had difficulty understanding some of the quaint word inventions like "wennet" and "sukebind" which have been faithfully reproduced in the film. This is one instance where I think having read the book beforehand will help you to understand and enjoy the film's subtleties even more.

From Jenny, Pennsylvania USA

I enjoyed this film immensely! This was another case where I had read the book a long time before seeing the film, and once again, it was a faithful adaptation.

The performances were overall good; Kate Beckinsale was a perfect choice for Flora, Joanna Lumley was her usual smart-alecky self, Eileen Atkins was wonderful as the overly devoted mother, and Ian McKellan … well, I just love Ian McKellan and his interpretation of Amos the Quiverer was priceless!

Now on to Rufus: how could you not love him in this film? He was dead-on as Seth the movie-loving, crude, in-need-of-a-bath Lothario (didn’t you just love the washing up scene?) I loved that he didn’t seem to take it at all seriously – who could? This film was and was supposed to be a farce, and it was played beautifully. A real gem.

Only downside for me: not enough Stephen Fry, who steals every scene in every film he is in.