Berkeley Square [DVD]

Product Details

• Actors: Victoria Smurfit, Rosemary Leach
• Directors: Richard Holthouse, Martin Hutchings
• Format: PAL
• Subtitles: None
• Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
• Number of discs: 3
• Classification: PG
• Studio: Acorn Media
• DVD Release Date: 9 Jun 2008
• Run Time: 490 minutes
  

By : Victoria Smurfit (Actor), Rosemary Leach (Actor), Richard Holthouse (Director), Martin Hutchings (Director)|Rated:Parental Guidance|Format: DVD
Price : £9.26

Customer Reviews

Berkeley Square tells the story of 3 Nannies who becomes friends as they meet up in the park, walking the infants that they care for. Irish girl Hannah (Victoria Smurfit) is the mother of an illegitimate child and she has to keep the existence of her son secret in order to maintain her job. Thankfully, an understanding landlady is prepared to care for him.
Matty (Clare Wilkie) works in a household where a young man wanted for murder is being hidden by his Mother, who is the housekeeper. The lady of the house (Hermione Norris) is a discontented creature who is having an affair with a caddish officer. Meanwhile, her children barely know her or her weak willed husband.
Country girl Lydia is given the chance to escape rural life - and the care of her 11 younger siblings - when she becomes the Nursery Maid to Lord and Lady Lamson-Scribener. Initially the resident Nanny (the excellent Rosemary Leach) is unwilling to have her in the nursery but as Lydia's kindness and good nature are displayed day to day, Nanny Collins comes to care for her. But will she be able to save niave Lydia from the intentions of the spoilt older son of the house, Lord Hugh?
The interwoven lives of the 'upstairs' families and the 'downstairs' nursery staff are skillfully told in 12 excellent episodes. There are plot twists galore (infanticide, adultery, murder, baby-farms, epidemics etc)as well as gorgeous scenes of a bygone age. The Coronation of the new King in 1902 provides entertainment for the staff and the details of dress, language and Edwardian London life are a joy to watch.
It is sad then that no further series were made. Leaving the viewers shocked at the dramas in the final episodes, we are left to wonder if happy endings are going to find our 3 young ladies? Like the equally excellent 'Lilies', Berkeley Square got only one series. A great pity - it should have had considerably more!

I have thoroughly enjoyed watching Berkeley Square some 10 years after first seeing in on TV. The cast is strong- with each of the nannies showing great acting and having good story lines- the costumes are wonderful and it is easy to watch- without it being soft. There are times where you will need a hanky watching this..won't say more... but great value for money and something to watch over and over again.

 

Berkeley Square [DVD]