i first saw cold comfort farm way back in the early 70 on tv and but this late version be so much funny . kate beckinsale make a wonderful bossy take charge flora and and everyone else in the cast be just hilarious . eileen atkins scenery chew when her son and play by rufus sewell and be leave home to become a hollywood film star and just about have me in hysteric . the dread menacing atmosphere and the dark hint about something see in the woodshed and and the general squalor of a once prosperous family go to ruin be all convey in a humourous but not slapstick or farcical way . the starkadders mooch about mutter threateningly until flora eventually set them all on the right path to recover prosperity . flora be the kind of upbeat heroine who would take a hot cup of cocoa to dracula because he be probably cold after all that time in the tomb . a very enjoyable film for those who like something different .