i be a big fan of patricia hodge and mariam margolyes and so i watch this show when it come on a and e some year ago . the show be strange to say the least and but i give it a chance because i like these actress . this have get to be one of the bad show i have ever see . i wouldn not watch it again and certainly wouldn not waste money on buy the video . the storyline of this tv version be ludicrous and just plain stupid . the kicker ( pun intend ) come when ruth have surgery do on her leg bone . that kind of nonsense belongs in james bond and sci fi movie . if this version be true to the book and then i would not be check the book out from my local library . the american version come out some year after i would see this original . to my surprise the american get it right this time and a their version with meryl streep and roseanne be play for laugh and be rather funny . when play for laugh the storyline work .