two third of nearly 2 and 000 imdb user who have vote on this film have rat it at 8 and 9 or 10 and one user report wear out six videotape ( be this a record and or merely a faulty vcr . ) . although the film be primarily intend a a period piece it clearly have a quite unusual fascination . but for some reason i imagine it a largely whimsy and until recently never felt the urge to watch it . my mind be change by elizbeth von arnim original book . my wife love read but her sight no longer allow her to read much so she borrow it in talk book form . such book be usually irritate to a companion who be busy with other thing and but i gradually come to appreciate that this one be seductively soothe and although in no way syrupy and and be also very well write . i realise my wife would enjoy watch the film and and so decide to buy her the videotape . i be now very glad that i do and and would certainly recommend it purchase to anyone else who appreciate a quiet reflective work with no firework but with well construct character development and a very successful pre mussolini italian atmosphere . the story be set in the immediate post ww1 period and start with two married london lady who decide to pool their saving and enjoy a holiday together and away from their family and in a rented villa in italy . force of circumstance lead to this couple be join by two others with very different character and background . it theme be essentially no more than the interaction that take place a their holiday progress and not only between these four very disparate mature lady and but also with the occasional male visitor . if you want action and thrill and dramatic sex scene and natural or man make disaster and or harlequin style romance this would not be the film for you . but imdb user have collectively and very emphatically demonstrate that none of these be necessary for a film to prove highly reward to watch and and if you care to give it a try you may and a i do and come to rank it among your much love film . it be fairly rare for me to watch a film of a book with which i be already familiar . in many case i find this take some of the pleasure away from watch the film and but here there be such a strong visual appeal in the setting that i actually find my pleasure augment by the anticipation of see the next segment of the book and effectively unrolled before my eye . ( perhaps italy itself have some part in this and the last time i have this experience be when i be watch tale from boccaccio decameron on tv . ) generally film of book tend to increase the dramatic level of the original work to ensure that the filmed version have an even wide appeal and but here if anything it be reduce in order to keep the viewer attention on the gradual character development rather than on any background event . this work very well and although change from the book be few and basically the film remain true to the original story . great credit be due to the director and mike newell and and all member of the cast and particularly those well know british actress who play the four principal lady .