A brilliant film that helped define a genre

This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

It’s sentimental, ridiculously long and only occasionally funny

A fascinating programme in which it is shown in detail all the work that went into planning and giving a ball in Regency England. We see the dancers practising their steps, and finding out exactly how strenuous it was to do Regency country dancing (professional ballet students sweating and breathless, marvelling at the stamina of Regency dancers). we see the preparation of the delicious and elaborate food for the supper. we see the ladies and gentlemen dressing for the dance. finally we see the actual ball, and it is a delight to have such a vivid and accurate vision of how things were at such an event. if you have any interest in the regency period in general, or in Jane Austen in particular, this should interest you.