Sparkhouse [2002]

There are intriguing echoes of Wuthering Heights, both major and minor, but the drama is not a retelling of the novel in a modern setting - it stands on its own, compelling and ultimately haunting. It's set and filmed in and around Hebden Bridge in Yorkshire, and seems very much rooted in the area. The heart of the drama is Sarah Smart's superbly-played Carol, a flawed but feisty young woman fighting against the disadvantages of her background.

The impetus for releasing this drama on DVD now is mostly the presence in the cast of Richard Armitage, who so memorably played John Thornton in the BBC's North and South in 2004. Here he plays John Standring, a cripplingly shy farm-worker at Sparkhouse, who, in his own hesitant way, is in love with Carol. It's a very different character from Thornton, but is played just as effectively.

Also in a strong cast are Alun Armstrong, Nicholas Farrell and Celia Imrie. This is much more than just a drama inspired by Wuthering Heights, and I'd thoroughly recommend it whether you know the novel or not.


excellent DVD   May 8, 2006
Mr. B. T. Wilson (Workington, Cumbria United Kingdom)
20 out of 28 found this review helpful

For fans of Sarah Smart, this DVD is a classic, i bought it purely because she was in it, and her acting as usual does not disappoint.

Amazing display of emotions, along with a strong storyline, the rest of the cast are great as well, well worth the money

next on my list is BBC3's Funland when it comes out in June.

It will be interesting to see how Sarahs career develops as she is clearly one of the leading lights in british drama at the minute


Not for the faint hearted   June 16, 2007
JAKJ (Aberdeen, Scotland, UK)
19 out of 19 found this review helpful

This film has a lot to commend it - most obviously the strong performances and compelling story line. Although not a direct adaptation of Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights, the film is highly successful in preserving the sense of place (the Yorkshire Moors as metaphor) integral to the original story as well as the intricate, and at times claustrophobic, social relationships between two families that provides the vehicle for Bronte's plot line. The gritty realism of the film (including domestic abuse) reflects the fragile class relationships in modern England no less than Bronte's original did those of early Victorian England. Indeed, the almost inviolable divide between classes (which, transgressed, invites destruction) captured in Sparkhouse is biting social commentary at its best. The film is excellent. That said, it is not for the faint hearted. Dark, twisted, haunting, and tragic, this tale of obsessive love is disturbing and, at times, chilling. It is for this reason that my wife might give this film 3 Stars as opposed to my 5 Stars.


sparkhouse....sparkling!!   February 25, 2007
sunshine VIII (uk)
18 out of 20 found this review helpful

although this is not an adaptation of whuthering heights is the best production so far able to give an idea of what emily bronte's novel is about. the story is different, the character are a sort of mix of the originals but the feelings you'll expirience are the same you'd had reading the book, you'll keep thinking about it days after watching it. if you are intersted in this dvd because of richard armitage go on and buy it,he's very cute and very good as usual, but all the actors are equally good and nobody is out of place or miscasted. I realy reccomand this to any bronte fan, any tv drama lover and anyone intersted in 3 hours of very good tv.


SPARKHOUSE LOVE STORY WITH A TWIST!   July 21, 2007
S. Van Biene (uk)
17 out of 17 found this review helpful

I bought this DVD as I am a devoted Richard Armitage fan.I must admit I was duly surprised by the fantastic filming and acting of all the performers.It held me spellbound, as the plot and love story wove through the beautiful scenery of Hebden Bridge. Stunning performances from SARAH SMART and RICHARD ARMITAGE, JOE MCFADDEN.British cinema at its best******