Barbara Taylor Bradford's A Woman of Substance Trilogy (A Woman of Substance / Hold the Dream / To Be the Best)

Amazon.com

A Woman of Substance
Determined to ruin the upper-class Fairley family who wronged her, Emma Harte (Jenny Seagrove) aims to become one of the richest women in the world. Although anachronistic for a woman born around 1890, it is exhilarating to watch her think and act like a contemporary woman with the benefits of late-20th-century feminism. In just over five hours, this Emmy-nominated version of Barbara Taylor Bradford's bestselling novel A Woman of Substance traces Emma's life from overworked Yorkshire maid to the triumphant 79-year-old matriarch (Deborah Kerr) of a vast business empire. Married twice, but only truly loving a man she could never marry, Emma devotes herself to building her business empire. Surrounded by a loyal few, including Irishman Blackie O'Neill (Liam Neeson), Emma lives her life as a strong, uncompromising protagonist similar to Gone with the Wind's Scarlett O'Hara in a social environment reminiscent of Upstairs, Downstairs. Her life is a sort of feminist retrospective on the social issues of 1890s-to-1930s England--poverty, illegitimate children, illness, anti-Semitism, World War I, whether to marry for security or passion, the role of women in the workplace, and such--making A Woman of Substance a historical and inspiring film to watch.

Hold the Dream
The love of her life was there all along, she just didn't know it. As sequels go, Hold the Dream is a little like the sequel to Gone with the Wind: it's not devoid of merit, but it's not as captivating or enthralling as the original. Paula Fairley (Jenny Seagrove) inherits and runs the retail empire built by her grandmother, Emma Harte (Deborah Kerr). This somewhat lackluster tale of dutiful, hard-working Harte versus undeserving, greedy heirs set in the rather sterile world of 1980s New York City penthouses and English country manors lacks both its precursor's production budget and inspiring poor-girl-makes-good conviction. On the other hand, the love story between Paula and Shane (7th Heaven's Stephen Collins) manages to transcend the miniseries' weaknesses. Overcoming obstacles, tragedy, and deceit on numerous fronts, Paula remains driven by her sense of duty and business acumen. Finally learning that she cannot live on work and her grandmother's dream alone, Paula slowly warms to the possibility of true love. Her most loyal supporter and lifelong friend Shane helps her see that her own dreams can be the most rewarding. Wonderful performances by Seagrove and Collins make Hold the Dream a heartwarming tale about a powerful businesswoman learning to look beyond the bottom line and accept the love of a man who has loved her in silence her whole life.

To Be the Best
In the close of the trilogy, To Be the Best, Paula (Lindsay Wagner) comes into her own as a woman, mother, wife, and businesswoman. While not as captivating as the first parts of the trilogy, To Be the Best offers a satisfying close to the story and has its strengths, including a standout performance from Academy Award® winner Anthony Hopkins, who plays Paula's chief of security. Thanks to Hopkins's performance, what might otherwise have seemed like a long-lost episode of Dynasty is also part espionage thriller. As Paula gets inveigled into a series of compromising business situations in Hong Kong, it is her dapper and debonair chief of security who repeatedly saves the day. --Tara Chace

Description

A Woman of Substance: Based on Barbara Taylor Bradford's novel, this 1984 miniseries tells the timeless rags-to-riches tale of servant girl Emma Harte. Hold the Dream: This second installment sees the mature Emma heroically trying to maintain her empire. To Be the Best: This is the final chapter in the masterpiece triology of Emma Harte, a bright but impoverished servant girl who rises to become a department store magnate. With Anthony Hopkins, Barry Bostwick, Deborah Kerr, Jenny Seagrove, Liam Neeson, Lindsay Wagner, Stephanie Beacham.

Customer Reviews:

A Woman of Substance Trilogy.......2005-09-15

disc #1 was wonderful ... I started disc #2 the same night and was THOROUGHLY DISAPPOINTED.... this #2 started out about 30 yrs ahead.. There was ABSOLUTELY NOTHING ON THE DISC ABOUT EMMA'S LOVER PAUL AND THEY STORY TOGETHER... i watched #3 just because I had it... I WROTE TO THE AUTHOR MRS BRADFORD AND THE COMPANY THAT MADE THE CD... I WANTED A REFUND.... If there is a complete disc 2 out there I never saw it :(

A lot of substance, but not a lot of quality.......2005-04-06

I bought this trilogy on the strength of the 5 star review I had read. To save someone else the disappointment I received, I am writing my first review.
The first of the 3, the title piece, was worth watching and on it's own might rate 4 stars. But the quality of the other two fell off dramaticly and I wouldn't give either of them more than 2 stars. Have our standards changed so much in the last 14-20 years since these were made and first broadcast, or would they have seemed just as insipid to me if I had seen them then, I wonder? I suppose if you have read and enjoyed the books (which I have not) you might have a different opinion. But I found the story rather contrived, the acting mediocre, and the characters underdeveloped and unappealing. Even the love scenes were uninspiring. The worst part, though, I think would have to be the cheesy background music which made it impossible to forget that I was watching a repackaged 80's miniseries.
So buy it only if you are a big Barbara Taylor Bradford fan and can overlook some major shortcomings. This trilogy has certainly not made a fan of me.

A Great DVD!.......2002-12-23

I was so happy when I learn that "A Woman of Substance" series was coming to DVD. These are two great DVD's(while Hold the Dream is okay)The picture and sound on all three movie's is great. My only complaint is why was Lindsey Wagner casted for "Hold the Dream?" The change in the cast hurts this movie. Overall, "The woman of substance" trilogy is must for any fan of the books.

Average customer rating:

Another Mediocre Sequel?
Full Of Strength & Full Of Drama
The Great Saga Continues - Hold the Dream

Hold the Dream
Starring: Jenny Seagrove , Stephen Collins , Deborah Kerr , James Brolin , and Claire Bloom
Director: Don Sharp
Manufacturer: Acorn Media
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

( H ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B0000639EO
Release Date: 2002-04-16

Amazon.com

The love of her life was there all along, she just didn't know it. This is the sequel to the outstanding A Woman of Substance, which was a sort of Upstairs Downstairs meets Gone with the Wind. As sequels go, it's a little like the sequel to Gone with the Wind: it's not devoid of merit, but it's not as captivating or enthralling as the original. In Hold the Dream, Paula Fairley (Jenny Seagrove) inherits and runs the retail empire built by her grandmother, Emma Harte (Deborah Kerr). This somewhat lackluster tale of dutiful, hard-working Harte versus undeserving, greedy heirs set in the rather sterile world of 1980s New York City penthouses and English country manors lacks both its precursor's production budget and inspiring poor-girl-makes-good conviction.

On the other hand, the love story between Paula and Shane (7th Heaven's Stephen Collins) manages to transcend the miniseries' weaknesses. Overcoming obstacles, tragedy, and deceit on numerous fronts, Paula remains driven by her sense of duty and business acumen. Finally learning that she cannot live on work and her grandmother's dream alone, Paula slowly warms to the possibility of true love. Her most loyal supporter and lifelong friend Shane helps her see that her own dreams can be the most rewarding. Wonderful performances by Seagrove and Collins make Hold the Dream a heartwarming tale about a powerful businesswoman learning to look beyond the bottom line and accept the love of a man who has loved her in silence her whole life. --Tara Chace

Customer Reviews:

Another Mediocre Sequel?.......2002-01-13

While no where near as good as "A Woman of Substance" it is still worth watching. If you fell in love with Emma Harte how can you not watch the second part of the story? The best character of the movie is of course Jenny Seagrove.I'd love that they cast er as the star in this one too. Why have I never seen her star in another movie? She is just excellent as in "Substance." Stephen Collins is a great lead but the chemistry is pretty low between them. The worst part of the entire story is Paula marrying a Fairley? I honestly couldnt stomach that one after seeing them try to ruin Emma a generation before. The best part? Emma & Blackey O"Neill FINALLY declare their love.

Full Of Strength & Full Of Drama.......2001-12-10

Hold the Dream is a second part of a series. It is based on a family which came from poor to powerful. The Series is one of the best I've seen. It will build self esteem and make you aware of others who have to struggle each day. It will help you to learn to endure.

The Great Saga Continues - Hold the Dream.......2000-08-30

As with "A Woman of Substance" this movie carries on with Emma Harte's granddaughter Paula who is charged to hold Emma's dream. True to her previous movie this story stuck very close to the book. I love this story and I can't wait to watch the third one "To Be The Best". Watch and love!

Average customer rating:

Another Mediocre Sequel?
Full Of Strength & Full Of Drama
The Great Saga Continues - Hold the Dream

Hold the Dream [Region 2]
Starring: Jenny Seagrove , Stephen Collins , Deborah Kerr , James Brolin , and Claire Bloom
Director: Don Sharp
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

( H ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B00008DI2Y

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Another Mediocre Sequel?.......2002-01-13

Full Of Strength & Full Of Drama.......2001-12-10

The Great Saga Continues - Hold the Dream.......2000-08-30

DVD:

DVD

DVD