I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

I wanted to but couldn't!

Best movie ever!

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

I agree that this is a very good adaptation indeed of the novel and the closest in spirit to what Lawrence was writing about in my view. If there is one stereotype however, that Ken Russell (and Lawrence before him) perpetuates beyond reason, it is that a woman can only be sexually stimulated and fulfilled by penetration. It seems ludicrous even for that day and age (when the sexual hypocrisy of Victorian and Edwardian England was still in play), that a man so apparently sophisticated and sexually aware as Sir Clifford does not even consider cunnilingus or manual stimulation of his wife. Sex is therefore reduced to a raw gratification of mutual lust between Lady C and Mellors. Where is the beauty, the sensuality and the giving of true sexual love in all that?

As my mother used to say, "The man can read the phone book and I would be satisfied." A truly masterful performance for all involved. I did not even know this existed until recently and I sat to watch it in one sitting. Joely Richardson and Bean exuded the passion which was present, even more than in the books. And I loved Shirley Anne Field's Mrs. Bolton. It appeared as though she truly wanted Connie's happiness, or perhaps she just wished to have the master under her thumb, but either way, it was a stellar performance.And Sean Bean...Oh, my. I have followed his career since seeing the Sharpe's episodes and in everything he is in, he takes the part and makes it his own. A simply wonderful effort and a beautifully touching love story.

Although this film wasn't thoroughly disappointing, I found it to be somewhat wanting. Before I begin, however, please observe that this mini isn't merely "based-" (a phrase often misused and given far greater emphasis than deserved) "-upon" one of D. H. Lawrence's versions of 'Lady Chatterley's Lover', but contains elements and references to - unless I'm mistaken - all three of them. This might account for the fact that the title of this miniseries has been slightly abbreviated and no longer fully resembles that of the one (version) most commonly known. Anyway, I feel I ought to warn lazy students out there thinking they might get away with just watching this instead of reading the novel - that by the way I find absolutely wonderful! So, about this series: The acting in many scenes seems 'made for TV' and the dialogue often appears less than natural. That is to say, the actors really wait for their counterparts to finish their lines before uttering their own, something which may be befitting for a stage play, but certainly not for a moving picture, unless adapted especially for senior citizens who'd rather take their time than experience something more or less normal.Also, Clifford's sudden outbursts and high-school-drama-club type acting gave me the impression he had suffered head trauma or perhaps an aneurysm in addition to his damaged lower half. Watch out especially for his embarrassingly poor and exaggeratedly theatrical (and "un-French") recital of Racine. Oh, and let's not forget Connie's ridiculous tango with her sister, or the ridiculous sister for that matter.However, I don't want to advise anyone to avoid this adaptation. Richardson and Bean do a good job and are a very convincing couple. The scenes depicting sexual congress, as well as the 'innocent' nude scenes, are few and tastefully arranged. Also, much of Bean's dialogue has been cut down to avoid contrasting too severely with what is essentially well-made (TV-)erotica.All in all, though not a masterpiece, this is a presentable homage to Lawrence.

Having read the book in high school, I thought I knew pretty much what I was in for, especially with Ken Russell at the helm. Joely Richardson is a pretty thing, and manages some sympathy for Connie - who just wants to be a decent human being. I was too often aware I was watching her Act, especially when naked. It couldn't have been easy. James Wilby had pretty much perfected the upper class twit, though the vitriolic nastiness he brings to Chatterley is probably the acme of his career. Special mention should be made of Shirley Anne Field's performance as Mrs. Bolton - the nurse who understands Everything - and conveys so much to us without a word. It's a truly marvelous performance.But the movie belongs to Sean Bean, who gets his teeth in and doesn't let go. Nobody does bitter passion like Bean. He's less affecting in the love scenes than when he's simply trying to defend himself - His lady has no idea what a spectacular risk he's taking. Imagine the conflict is not class but race, and you'll get an idea. "Tar and feathers" was not a joke. The class divisions are laid out, but there's nothing like the sight of him shoveling coal to bring it home. And it's either break his back or starve. On top of all that, he found himself genuinely in love, which was still more frightening. Bean gives it all to us...His fears, his courage, his joys and his humiliations...no actor could be more naked than that.There's a reason the book was called "Lady Chatterley's Lover." Lady Chatterley had Lawrence's sympathy, but the lover was his hero. Shifting the emphasis to her doesn't quite work. It would be more damaging if Bean wasn't so forceful.I didn't expect to be so moved by this film. They even got the flower scene right. Lawrence's Mellors was a bit of a bully, too, and that left poor Connie choosing between jerks. Russell gives Connie -- and us -- a much better choice. And I was pleased with the altered ending. Lawrence's vision was awfully bleak, and had no room for Connie to grow up. It makes all the difference.