Testament of Youth   Starring: Cheryl Campbell, Jane Wenham, Emrys James and Rupert Frazer Acorn Media UK RRP: £19.99 AV9766 Certificate: PG Available 10 May 2010

Vera Brittain’s Testament of Youth (1979. 268 min) is an adaptation of the author’s first work of autobiography. Brittain was born to an upper middle class mill owning family and both the book and the show detail her experiences during the First World War, which put her on the path of feminism and pacifism. The adaptation was written by Elaine Morgan and directed by Moira Armstrong. The story covers the period 1913 to 1925.

When we first encounter Vera (Cheryl Campbell) she is restricted by both her sex and her class, she envies the freedoms which she perceives that the males in her intimate circle take for granted. She is a young woman burning with a desire to learn, an unusual ambition at the turn of the century, even so Vera appears to be isolated and relatively unaware of the suffragette’s campaign which reached its height in 1912 and 1913.

Eventually Vera accepts a place to study English Literature at Somerville College, Oxford, but her studies are cut short with the outbreak of the First World War. Unable to enlist like many of her male friends, Vera instead volunteers to become a Voluntary Aid Detachment (V.A.D.) Nurse where she experiences firsthand the horrors of war.

This could have been an exciting drama as it encompasses the political emancipation of women and the disaster that was the First World War. The show had the potential to take a stand on either of these issues as they effected Vera. Instead what we have is a lot of Vera talking. The story drags its feet at almost every turn, making for a relatively dull experience. Now it would be easy to put forward that this is the fault of the show, when rather the show is a product of its time.

In tone and feeling it very much reminded me of Upstairs, Downstairs (1971-1975) and not just because both shows cover roughly the same period. No, Testament of Youth comes from a time when drama had yet to be tainted with the cancer of soap opera, and yet even given that caveat this adaptation still feels flatter than it should.

The fault does not lie with the central cast of Cheryl Campbell, Jane Wenham, Emry’s James and Robert Frazer, all who do as much with the material as they can. The inclusion of some of the original letters and a few static shots of trench warfare help place us in the historical context, but in truth the characters are given little to do apart from talking about their feelings, which for the most part are reserved in their portrayal. This may well reflect the proper social context at the time but it will make it harder for a modern audience to sympathise with the characters.

The show is presented over two DVDs and presented in its original 4:3 aspect ratio. The picture does not appear to have been restored so the overall look is a little soft. You get a few extras in the form of a text based biography of Vera Brittain, cast filmographies as well as a picture gallery.

On the plus side the miniseries was a very faithful adaptation of Brittain’s book, it looks great and is well acted and it will certainly appeal to anyone who enjoyed Upstairs, Downstairs. On the down side the change in dramatic portrayal may alienate some modern audiences.

6

Charles Packer