6.9/10
1,309
29 user 14 critic

A Month in the Country (1987)

PG | | Drama | 4 December 1987 (UK)
A Month in the Country Poster
Five centuries ago, a mural was created in a country church in the north of England, and then hidden under layers of white paint. Looking at it again will be a distraction, the Reverend Mr.... See full summary »

Director:

Pat O'Connor

Writers:

Simon Gray (screenplay by), J.L. Carr (from the novel by)

Stars:

Colin Firth, Kenneth Branagh, John Atkinson | See full cast & crew »
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1 win. See more awards »

Photos

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Colin Firth ... Birkin
John Atkinson John Atkinson ... Old Man on Train
Jim Carter ... Ellerbeck
Patrick Malahide ... Reverend Keach
Kenneth Branagh ... James Moon
Richard Vernon ... Colonel Hebron
Tim Barker Tim Barker ... Mossop
Vicki Arundale Vicki Arundale ... Kathy
Martin O'Neil Martin O'Neil ... Edgar
Natasha Richardson ... Alice Keach
Tony Haygarth ... Douthwaite
Eileen O'Brien Eileen O'Brien ... Mrs. Ellerbeck
Elizabeth Anson Elizabeth Anson ... Lucy Sykes
Barbara Marten Barbara Marten ... Mrs. Sykes
Ken Kitson ... Mr. Sykes (as Kenneth Kitson)
See full cast »
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Storyline

Five centuries ago, a mural was created in a country church in the north of England, and then hidden under layers of white paint. Looking at it again will be a distraction, the Reverend Mr. Keach tells World War I veteran Tom Birken, who will spend a month in the country restoring the mural. Another veteran, James Moon, is looking for the grave of an ancestor of the patroness of the church who fought in the Crusades. The rector's wife, Alice, comes to see the mural and later visits Birken's bell tower abode, bringing a basket of apples. Will she open the book in which he has pressed the yellow rose she gave him earlier? Written by Dale O'Connor <daleoc@interaccess.com>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

homosexual | post world war one | period drama | mural | church | See All (37) »

Genres:

Drama

Certificate:

PG | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

Add content advisory for parents »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Film historian Nick Redman mentions in his commentary included in the BFI edition of the movie that, at the time of its original release, this was said to be a movie "starring two nobodies". See more »

Goofs

Colin Firth is seen laying on a tomb in the graveyard smoking a woodbine cigarette that has a filter tip. The film is set in 1920. Filter tipped woodbine were not sold in the UK until 1948. See more »

Quotes

Reverend Keach: When the painting is uncovered, it will be in full view of the congregation. It will distract from worship.
See more »

Connections

Featured in At the Movies: Breakthrough Stars of 1990 (1990) See more »

Soundtracks

Rock of Ages
(uncredited)
Words by Augustus Montague Toplady
Music by Thomas Hastings
Played by Kathy on the organ in the showroom
See more »

User Reviews

Renewal for the soul
12 July 2001 | by Peegee-3 – See all my reviews

I've just watched this haunting movie for the second time, after an interval of several years and having just read the book on which it's based. I feel as though the director,actors, cinematographer took a walk inside my head to pluck the images that lived there as I read the book. Of course, it was those images inside THEIR heads that have made this film the masterpiece that it is...to enrich the heart, restore the soul. Colin Firth brought the character, Tom Birkin, so fully into life, with his sensitivity, conflicts, process of restoration (both as a skilled worker and as a damaged human being) and yearnings one wonders why such roles as this haven't been offered him since. His brooding Mr Darcy in the TV version of "Pride and Prejudice" used some of these talents, but not nearly enough. Kenneth Branagh's fine understated playing of the equally war damaged archaelogist (and a closet homosexual) is amazing and brilliant, considering especially his over-the-top performances in later films. Lovely Natasha Richardson creates just the right tone of controlled longing of the unhappily married Alice Keagh. Jim Carter and the rest of the cast are splendid as well. This is a film to return to again and again for its visual and soulful beauty, simplicity and depth. What an antidote for the juvenile,frentic blockbuster fare we're offered for the most part by the movie "business."
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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 December 1987 (UK) See more »

Also Known As:

A Month in the Country See more »

Filming Locations:

Pickering, North Yorkshire, England, UK See more »
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Box Office

Gross USA:

$443,524
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Channel Four Films, Euston Films, PfH Ltd. See more »
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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See full technical specs »
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