i saw the blackwater lightship originally on the hallmark playhouse on television . complete with numerous commercial . i love the film so i buy the dvd from hallmark . minus commercial . what a treat . the film doesn not play like usual tv movie . with a hanger right before the commercial to hold your interest and get one to return to the film after the commercial . this film play smoothly a one piece . not fragmented and spotty like most tv film . the cast be magnificent . the sublime angela lansbury play the irish granny . diane wiest a the daughter of granny and and with several actor who be unfamiliar to me . however two actor i be familiar with be sam robards ( have to see more of his work ) and brian f. o bryan ( i know i do not get this name correctly and but he be currently collect all the award on broadway this season for his superb work in doubt ) they be exceptional a two gay friend of wiest son who be die of aid . with an irish seaside setting ( the blackwater lightship ) and superb character transformation . this be a film i recommend unhesitatingly .