Penelope Keith's Hidden Villages

Seasons 2 and 3 are only viewable if you are willing to read subtitles, unfortunately. I truly enjoy this series and it would be rated a 10 if the voiceover sections were not drowned out by what is clearly supposed to be background music.

I also agree that I wasn't sure I would enjoy the series as I didn't really like Dame Penelope in the BritComs I've watched.

However, she surprised me, and I thoroughly enjoyed season 1 ... Seasons 2 and 3 were very difficult to hear due to the music level being so high, and the voice so faint. Even with CC, it was difficult, but I plowed through and got the gist.

Too bad seasons 2-3 cannot be remixed.

Season 1 was great. I loved the photography, the history, and the many color stories Penelope brought to the viewer. I've just started Season 2 and am disappointed that the sound mixing was done so poorly. Her voice over parts are barely audible under the too loud (and too active) "background" music. Penelope's synced conversations are fine - at a much higher level than the voice overs. Can someone not redo this? I may have to mute the episodes and just enjoy the visuals. What a shame.

Dame Penelope Keith travels the byways in search of villages in this gorgeous series that delves into what makes a village and how villages survive in this age of non-community.

Using a series of 1930s illustrated books on English villages published by Batsford, she compares comments written 80 years ago with current conditions. Episode 1 sees Keith in East Anglia in quaint villages along the coast and inland.

Along with views of picturesque villages, we also get history lessons, stories about new cottage industries that keep villages alive, battles with beach erosion, and clinging to old traditions ... all things that unite and reinforce village life.

A fascinating look at rural life today. Not to be missed by the armchair traveler.

This very good series can make your mouth water for the edenic peace of Village England and rural landscapes running the gamut from heartbreakingly serene to the powerfully majestic. Keith understands the value of re-enacting ancient historical pageants, even those that are but dimly understood, as rites that reinforce identity and devotion, and cause villagers to respect and protect what they have. The series explores, if rather lightly, the contrasts and continuities of past and present, using as its starting point the Batsford village guide series of the 1930 the.(and the splendid artwork). What a pity that much of the narration is smothered by the amateurish soundtrack. The 'music' is mostly syncopated noise, and it is offensively loud.