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Best movie of this year hands down!

I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

This production is based upon the wonderful Thomas Hardy novel. Don't expect the novel, but expect to receive its inspiration in multitudes via Ashley Pharaoh's adaptation.The acting is superb and the chemistry between Hawes and Murray is as good as it gets, selling their evolving relationship completely. As beautifully photographed, designed, and directed as "Under" is, I found the editing to be impressive in particular. It's quite a feat to pull off this entire story (or any Hardy work) in about 90 minutes without a hitch while maintaining the propulsion of the plot. In general, editing is an extremely underrated occupation, and without the work of Mr. Steven Singleton, this particular production would have been the sorrier.We just saw this on "Masterpiece Theater" for the second time, and it has the makings of a classic. 10/10.

Every role Keeley Hawes has tackled has been played to perfection and totally believable, and her performance as "Fancy Day" in "Under the Greenwood Tree" was no exception.This terrific Ashley Pharoah adaptation brought Thomas Hardy's novel (albeit abridged) and it's wonderful characters and settings to life, and credit must go to director Nicholas Laughland for his careful control, particularly in not allowing the comedy pieces to develop into slapstick. The entire production was superbly acted by a perfectly chosen and brilliant supporting cast.The music too must not be forgotten. It melded in beautifully at every turn.One minor criticism I have is the choice of the filming location. Not that I wish to denigrate the island of Jersey (I've been there and it's a beautiful place), but it's not Hardy's "Wessex", but then I suppose there's very little left of England that is. However great credit must go to the production designer Dave Arrowsmith for making us believe it was. (Incidentally I agree wholeheartedly with his exception of ALStubbino's comments. The latter must have been watching a totally different film to everyone else.) The only real downside was that the whole joyous occasion was over too soon. Thankfully I taped it, for this is one to savour.

As the designer on the production I take exception to the comments displayed in the ALstubbino review of "Under the Greenwood Tree". I can tell the writer of the last review that great care and extensive research was undertaken to achieve the sets and decor on the production, down to the smallest detail. I don't know what or where or how he/she has based their negative opinion perhaps they would like to enlighten us all as to where we went wrong!!. I enjoyed the production and for a TV drama think the production value and direction excellent. Under the greenwood tree is a fine adaptation of the original Hardy novel , not the novel itself, and as a TV drama stands up well, I would recommend it to anyone as a good family film.

No attempt has been made to echo Hardy's humorous and deeply affectionate appreciation of the English countryside and it's people around the time that he was born.This is a trite and bland rendition of a novel that is rich and warm with a loving nostalgia for a way of life which the writer saw had disappeared into the Industrial Revolution.The story has been chopped and changed into a melodramatic, Victorian love story and the script is banal and cliché-ridden. The actors playing the rustic villagers do a good job but are let down by unimaginative direction, lighting and decor.The young lovers are ' cardboard cut-out '.The opportunity to make a wonderful ' English ' film has been passed over. The work suffers from Television companies' desire to sell soap powder as cheaply as possible.