Silas Marner

Ben Kingsley is a great actor.  His performance in this 1985 BBC production of Silas Marner carries the film.  Overall, this is a great story, and the movie matches the pace and tone of the novel quite well, but, that said, the pace and tone of the book is slow and a little dark. So unless you're a fan of the book, or you like Masterpiece Theater-type movies, this may not be the movie for you.

I love the story: poor Marner, falsely accused of a crime and shunned by his community, moves away for a hermit's existence, committed to work and hoarding the proceeds of his work.  When a neighbor steals his gold and a little girl turns up on his hearth, his life is turned around.  This movie is faithful to Eliot's novel, but enjoyable on its own.  Just don't expect modern Hollywood fare.

Bottom line, 2 1/2 stars.