It's no definitive masterpiece but it's damn close.

Film Perfection

There are better movies of two hours length. I loved the actress'performance.

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

For those of an adventurous nature, a well known UK TV torrent site has this amongst its list. Registration isn't always open, just be patient.On seeing it recently, the production shows its age a little, in that there are some comedy scenes where the actors are silent for a moment or two as if giving the audience time to laugh. Aside from that it entertains as much as it did in 1980, and the production settings are absolutely of a high standard, some sets would have cost a fortune to create.Apart from the excellent Judy Dench, you'll ask yourself "where have all these marvelous character actors gone"? It's great strength for me is that it doesn't do a downstairs/upstairs thing, it's about one hilarious family with very different peculiarities and I'm not sure that Boy Dugdale's preferences would be dealt with these days with such clarity.

I too have been searching for years for a video or DVD of the original 1980 Love in a Cold Climate series. It was the definitive version. The casting and performances were brilliant. Not even Alan Bates can compete with Michael Aldridge's Uncle Matthew--he was perfection! And, for heaven's sake, it also featured Judi Dench and Vivian Pickles, among other truly great performers. I was astounded that anyone would even do a remake when there was no possibility of surpassing the original 1980 version. It's difficult to understand why such a masterpiece is not available to the public. Will someone please put this on video or DVD. I promise to buy one for everyone I know!

Imagine my joy when this title was available on DVD...now imagine my disappointment when it arrived and I saw it was a horrid remake of the PERFECTLY done mini series from 1980. I had no idea they had re-done it...and WHY? Gonna re-make Gone With The Wind next? It will probably be just as lame. PLEASE...someone, RELEASE the old 1980 version of Love In A Cold Climate! You have BUYERS! Missing are the little details that made this series wonderful. The way it has been condensed it hardly makes any sense! In the 80's version you could get to know the characters, love them and understand them and REALLY get "into" the story. These characters in the new version are not especially likable or humorous. Polly is not the "Flawless Beauty" we expect..but just a very attractive woman - not much more impressive than her friends.

I agree with all the previous comments. This is one of the best Mini series of all time. Superbly cast. Accurate in every detail. Judy Dench wonderful. A true reflection of the books. I too spent a lot of time trying to track it down. I could not watch the new version, Jeremy Irons notwithstanding.The original version is now owned by the company that took over Thames Television but they say they have no plans to release it. There must be some reason why. I miss the bolter, Linda, Fannie, Uncle Mathew, would give anything to see it again. Maybe there should be a write in campaign.