Love in a Cold Climate, Deborah Moggach's efficient adaptation of Nancy Mitford's two best-known novels, hits an entirely appropriate balance between the comic and the sentimenally tragic. Viewpoint figure Fanny observes from her happy marriage the complicatedly messy lives of her two closest friends, Polly and Linda. Polly escapes from a mother jealous of her beauty into a marriage that gets her disinherited and leaves her ultimately alone when her husband falls for the pretty male cousin who has supplanted her; Linda falls in turn for an Anglo-German banker, a posh young Communist who ships her off to the Spanish Civil War and a brilliant doomed French aristocrat. Mingled with this sweet-sour material is the memorable comic relief: Linda's monstrous father and world-weary mother, the eccentric and affectionate Lord Merlin and Fanny's long-absent mother, the Bolter. This has everything we expect from a BBC serial--excellent casting, a strong sense of period and pacey direction. --Roz Kaveney

I have only seen the original production on TV, which was brilliant. When will this DVD be available in Region 2 format? A British production should surely be available in the UK format!

As an avid period dramer enthustiast, i was more than a triffle shocked to find no-one has reviewed what I believe to be one of the best films to be directed by Tom Hooper, there are devine performances by Megan Dodds and Rosamund Pike not forgetting the genius that is Alan Bates. If you missed this then discover a little gem!

I have just watched this version again for the millionth time and absolutely love it. I did not see the original version with Judi Dench so can't compare. I can only agree with the reviewer who raved about the impeccable casting, acting and period detail. This is pure romance and brilliant satire and faultless ensemble acting. I'm now off to watch it again.....

Why is it so difficult to have the original 1980 series released?It is an absolute classic.It is all the more galling when you see the complete dross which is being re-released.I suppose we will have to wait until Dame Judy Dench has a "season" or,Heaven forbid,an obituary before the powers that be even recall the series in the first place.If anyone can help me in obtaining a copy,I would be thrilled

I really can't let some other reviewers off the hook for damning this excellent dramatization. The novels were (are) delightful and very funny, the 1980 version was marvellous and given a suitable length, but there's nothing at all wrong with this splendidly short spin on the story. I've seldom seen better casting - nobody is wrong, and the acting is good enough to eat in spadefuls. The sets are beautiful (especially those in Paris), the dialogue very Nancy Mitford, the poignancy exquisite. Just what is there to dislike? My wife and I watch it regularly, and it never pales. The period feel is all it should be - costumes, hairstyles, cars, and all the rest have been researched with great care and managed with style. Please don't listen to any of the stuffy souls who had neither the joy nor the sensitivity to recognize this as one of the BBC's finest period drama achievements.