Hidden gem BBC period drama starring Emma Thompson is perfect for Saltburn fans. The 2008 film adaptation is available to stream for free on BBC iPlayer and delivers the same rich estate setting that made Saltburn a cultural phenomenon.
Over the decades, many adaptations of this timeless tale have emerged, yet this particular version stands head and shoulders above the rest, thanks to its stunning backdrop and a much-loved British actress.
Based on the 1945 novel Brideshead Revisited, this film of the same name is the 2008 adaptation, directed by Julian Jarrold. It follows in the footsteps of the hugely successful 1981 ITV drama, which attracted considerable attention throughout its run.
It was very much the Saltburn of the late 2000s, sharing a similar sentiment to the F. Scott Fitzgerald story, in that it welcomed viewers and an unlikely companion into a world of wealth, aristocracy and decadence.
The plot centres on Oxford student Charles Ryder, who is taken under the wing of aristocrat Sebastian Flyte and becomes seduced by his family's power and privilege. Upon being invited to their magnificent ancestral stately home, he falls head over heels for his friend's sister, Julia.
Yet as their bond deepens and he becomes increasingly entwined with the family and these blossoming relationships, he finds himself at odds with their remarkably devout religious beliefs, being a committed atheist himself.
One viewer wrote on Rotten Tomatoes: "Brilliant like the book, very good job with the interiors." Another wrote: "Lush, depressing, picturesque, Downton Abbey-ish, British drama."
Expressing their views, one film enthusiast said: "This was a stand-out film in terms of production value. The story is all-too-familiar for those who are acquainted with the characters from the PBS series...but the lush production mounted and filmed is worth the trip to the cinema."
The film boasts a truly stellar cast, with Emma Thompson delivering an eccentric portrayal of the matriarch of the wealthy family. Joining her is Ben Whishaw as her son Sebastian, Hayley Atwell as her daughter Julia, and Matthew Goode as the outsider who gradually works his way into the family's inner circle.
A further review says: "Brilliant adaptation. Brilliant cast. Brilliant cinematography. A work of utter genius."
Such opinions frequently focus not merely on the narrative itself but on the breathtaking backdrop against which it unfolds.
In Brideshead Revisited, the estate serves as a pivotal element of the film, and much like the earlier television adaptation, Castle Howard in North Yorkshire stands in as the real-life incarnation of Brideshead.
Simon Howard revealed he and his family were delighted to open up their estate to the film crew, hoping it would generate even greater public interest. Following the release of the TV series, they witnessed a significant surge in visitor numbers and anticipated the film would provide a further boost to tourism years down the line.
Although the film was lauded for its cinematic quality, it failed to attract significant media coverage and was certainly no box office sensation, slipping largely under the radar. Yet, as more fans continue to unearth this hidden gem, they can't believe it took them so long to discover the adaptation.
One devoted viewer declared: "Beautiful and moving, though it doesn't tell the story you expect at the start. Excellent performances from Emma Thompson, Matthew Goode, and Michael Gambon."
Brideshead Revisited, the 2008 film, is available to stream now for free on BBC iPlayer.
