Saturday, January 2, 2016

A People's History, Breakfast, Lunch's and Dinner (BBC Documentary) Pt. II

This is the part II of  A People’s History, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner (BBC Documentary). This documentary is hosted by the late Chef and cooking show host Clarissa Dickson Wright.

I would love to share with you what I have learned in the documentary, so I will be posting all the important details that I have noted here.
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Lunch for Chef Wright is the most important meal of the day. It’s the work horse meal, the one we use to refuel. But for us it’s a quick pit stop. People eat in a speedy average barely even noticing their food. She believes taking time for a decent meal. For Chef Wright we lost our relationship to our food. In the not so distant past we respected lunch like in the distant century. Chef Wright visited one last remaining authenthic chop houses, The Simpson’s Tavern, still serving traditional Victorian food. She dined together with historian A.N. Wilson. In the 19th century chop houses started. So there were more and more people crowding to into London who haven’t had breakfast, and it was a long time for dinner. They ate lamb chops with shredded cabbage as side dish, although Chef Wright preferred mutton chop.

A belly full of protein would get you through the afternoon. Victorian office workers were allocated an hour to have their lunch. Chop houses serve an ordinary or fixed price meating. Nose to tail eating was very common to cheap dishes offered. They focus on the middle-house people. Ox tail was very cheap. The specialty of the house was stewed cheese (mixed with a bit of cream, mustard and beer) it’s commonly known as Welsh rarebit. In medieval times food was preferred eaten in daylight hours. The word lunch at that time didn’t even exist, daily life revolved around the time consuming demands of hunting, cooking, and growing food. In Sussex Ms. Yeldham prepared a pottage (something cooked in a pot) selection of dishes from a typical medieval menu. All ranks of society cooks a pottage. Boiled mutton was being cooked also. People grow a range vegetable in those times, like purple carrots, white ones for animal feeds, and also they also have access to spices to flavour their food. Spices costs a fortune in those days. Medieval people love color. The popular substitute for meat is fish. The wealthy ate it fresh from rivers and fish ponds, while the poor relied on salted fish. Food was not also considered nourishment but also medicinal. They believed that bodies were composed of 4 humors, earth, air, fire and water. (yellow bile, black bile, red bile, phlegm). So a cook’s job is to provide somebody with the food that will balance their humors and bring them to perfect health.

The wealthy would enjoy eating a lot of course, but the poor only ate one dish. Medieval food is good food says Ms. Yeldham. The meal would always end with something sweet that was considered medicinal, in a way to close the stomach and aid digestion. Chef Wright was served with sweetened pears. In the early modern period of the late 17th century the Catholic scriptures were replaced by Prostestant Puritanism with the restoration of Charles II in the 1660, food became about taste and style, than balancing humors. More people are embracing city life, and new work patterns. Main meals was eaten in 11 in the morning to 2 in the afternoon. 


Samuel Pepys, a civil servant in London, and a gourmand.  Venison was the priced meat at the age. To eat deer you have to had connections. Pepys mentioned it in his diary 76 times. Ivan Day brought Pepys dish into life. 17th century people weren’t fussy eaters. Ian Day prepared a pasty, coffins or pies. Intricate designs were all the rage in Pepys time, there’s even a design for a venison pasty. In London not people had many ovens so they sent it out to be baked. People used salt and sodium nitrite (responsible for the red color of meat) to preserved meat. Garlic is not a common ingredient in the 17th century.Wealthier people would accompany their meals with salad to show off imported ingredients from afar. In Pepys time men can rise to patronage. The ever fashionable Jane Austen talked about lunch in her novel Pride and Prejudice, were the 2 sisters purchased food for luncheon. Chef Wright sat down in a luncheon table setting, consisting of  salad, slice of cucumbers and melons, dressing made of pounded hardboiled eggs (salad cream), devilled peasant legs, cold meat, and her favorite sefton of herrings (cooked in butter) invented by the Earl of Sefton he developed the recipe for his wife. Put that in a wafer biscuit, and you put cayenne pepper. Luncheon wasn’t just for high-society working people also had to eat at midday.

Victorian street food kept the poor from starving. Some portable foods have designed for specific jobs like the Cornish pasty had a crimped handle which was discarded because the miners hand might contain poisonous arsenic from tins. England’s greatest gift to convenience food is the sandwich. Lord John Montagu the 4th Earl of Sandwich, by calling for a slice of beef between two slices of bread, either he is gambling or working. A sandwich is a great invention, portable, and you can eat it very quickly. The sandwich was  invented in the 18th century.  Life for the Victorians were speeding up they have convenience food which includes potted foods as Chef Wright mentioned it is a fashionable food, and they also have rail travel. Early on street the realization dawned that his was affecting the health of the nation.


Those who volunteered for world war in the 1900’s were rejected because they were too short or were malnourished. The British empire might collapse something had to be done! In 1906, the government responded with a new law,   provision of school meal was done for the poorest children, for a proper balanced lunch. It changed the lives of millions. That a substantial meal by the middle of the day paid dividends. By the time World War II came, people were stronger. The onset of war triggered another government invention in the British diet happened and that was rationing. Rationing was introduced in January 1940. Many basic items were in very short supplies and the cues lasted for hours. Just acquiring the ingredients of a basic lunch was far more a challenge. Chef Wright visited her former school, Woldinghom school. She will deliver a ration book recipes to a class of girls. They will eat what they made after.  Most girls didn’t like the taste, but some think it was okay. Chef Wright gave a message to the students to just think back of their grandmother’s probably who were in certains situations like these during the wartime, we should gave the cooks a round of applause. Many people struggled to eat during the war. Rationing ended in 1954. A new import from overseas came not an ingredient but an idea which was the supermarket also appeared at this time, making a lunch a much easier proposition. Sliced bread first appeared in the 1920’s, the baking process in the early 1960’s devised by Britains gave bread a longer shelf life,  and so fuelled the rise of the sandwich.  Could the 4th Earl of Sandwich realized the titanic culinary legacy he left today. One if four us buy a sandwich for lunch everyday.


The popular selling line of sandwiches today are anything that has prawn or chicken. There are even awards for the most inventive sandwich fillings. His best-seller is the turkey sandwich. He designed the world most exotic sandwich. Tom Allen has won of the top prizes. Tom’s award winning sandwich is a clever take on the beef Wellington. Lunch is not just about refuelling but it’s about a relax communal experience centering on a well-cooked meal. Lunch is an important tradition because it reminds us of our old customs. Chef Wright urges everyone to take time and enjoy lunch just like our medieval ancestors.

Viscount Charles ‘Turnip’ Townshend he invented the four course rotation system (division of fields into 4 different produce). In 1752 root crops has become a part of the British’s stable diet. They ate turnips and carrots. The Georgian (18th century) dinner (high watermark of British dining) reflected a more intimated dining, and there’s a boom in decorative centrepieces, fashionable candlesticks, and the Pineapple fruit was considered a decorative emblem, a thousand pounds extravagance. If you are rich you also have a chandelier a word first recorded in England in the 1730’s. By this time the ladies were also allowed to seat down gentleman. 


By the end of the 18th century, beef was regularly included on the dinner menu. Dinner was moved forward to 8pm because of the invention of gas lamps.  Also at this time, Mrs. Isabella Beeton’s book of cookery and household management  came out. Victorians were obsessed with dinner parties. They even serve a calf’s head! The Georgian era was an age of age when it came to dinner, the service of food was evolving too.

In the later times, Fanny Cradock, she’s famous for her cooking with performance. She gave women confidence to cook. Chef Wright also visited a ready meal manufacturing company and she sampled some food there, according to her surprise she remarked that it was good, and is palatable.


Chef Wright  ends with a beautiful reminder for all of us. We now live in convenience cooking. Before dinner is associated with fashion, to show off grand clothes, embrace theatrical display. The one thing that we haven’t lost, is the common desire to enjoy good company with food. . In that it doesn’t really matter what we’re eating because every generation has its own priorities. It’s the company that matters.  In the past people devote a huge amount of time to their meals. Nowadays we’re usually too busy, and that is reflected in what, and how we eat.

But meals are not just about food. They’re social events that connects us all, and I thoroughly disapprove of families who fail to eat together. Our meals have always been movable. But the irony is that we can eat better now than at almost any other time in the past if we care to. I urge everyone to reconnect with the tradition of fresh local produce, take time to cook and eat together. Then we’ll be getting the best out of our daily meals.
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I dedicated this post of mine to Chef Clarissa Dickson Wright, in honor of her works, she contributed a lot to the British history in Culinary. I really learned a lot from this documentary, and it made me appreciate the British Culinary History even more.


A People's History, Breakfast, Lunch's and Dinner (BBC Documentary) Pt. I

Yesterday I finished watching a British food documentary, hosted by the late chef and host of 2 Fat
Ladies, Clarissa Dickson Wright. I was looking for a good documentary about the History of British food when I stumbled upon this one.

A People’s History, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner (BBC Documentary)

I would love to share with you what I have learned in the documentary, so I will be posting all the important details that I have noted here.

It is said that the rituals of breakfast, lunch and dinner are often taken for granted. In this documentary we will learn a lot about the gastronomical revolution, technological leaps and sometimes the gruesome with regards to meals in England. Food is just about more than filling one’s selves up.

In this documentary, Chef Wright explains the origin of the 3 main meals of the British people, namely Breakfast , Lunch and Dinner.  Firstly, we are going to talk about Breakfast. For the British, breakfast is the first meal of the day. It’s origin remains a mystery in history. The traditional breakfast (it is also the contribution of the British in the International cuisine) or the so called full English Breakfast, a quintessential morning meal. You can actually eat it and enjoy it at any time of the day. One of the popular dish is the combination of bacon and eggs. But how did it come about? Chef Wright interviewed a Dominican priest to tell of its history.


According to him, in the Middle Ages, the Catholics determine what you can eat and when. For example, it is forbidden to eat before attending a mass, you should not break your fasting. Also, during the Lenten season, and when the religious people like the monks and nuns fast, they are forbidden to eat meat, because meat is associated with the flesh and the sex. In the 13th century, Medieval restrictions is rampant. Pescatarian diet is recommended and considered virtuous. Chef Wright was offered a dish of sole fish that soaked and served with honey and mustard.  During the Lenten season there’s a single day when you can eat meat, eggs, and indulge. From the scraps of meat of pork or beef, that’s where the origin of the combination of bacon and eggs arise.

In the Medieval ages families own pigs. To preserve the meat, after butchering it they cure it. Curing is a method of preservation. The whole pig is curable. After the pork is cured it is then baked. The destitute can’t afford to buy meat. The curing of pork is the origin of bacon. Bacon became associated with breakfast in the 17th century. According to Dr. Ian Mortimer (a fellow, Royal Historal Society in the University College of London). The earliest breakfast custom is hugely divided into the society. The aristocrats do have breakfast while the poor starve to death). So breakfast is part of the aristocratic household. The more extravagant it is the better the breakfast is. As they say, “If you can afford it, you can eat well.”



Caroline Yeldham (Historian, food specialist Medieval Times), showed Ms. Wright how to cook eggs in the medieval period. They roasted  it. The first comprehensive English cookery book was by Robert May (1660). At this time they can control the temperature when they cook because they use charcoal. Ms. Yeldham made an omelette (which is an imported French dish), made with chopped ham, nuts etc. According to Chef  Wright, Robert May’s recipe version of his omelette was too elaborate to be considered as a morning dish. A physician urged restraint in the people’s diet during those times. In the Venice Medical Book, Right Way to a Long Life, obesity was first used. There’s an even recommended diet for breakfast, poached eggs with little bread and butter, and a Claret wine.

Wine and beer is the traditional dish for cooking. Coffee as a drink became popular in the 16th century. Tea which was imported from China in the 1650’s became a domestic drink, because it is easy to prepare.  Tea became a breakfast drink in the late 1740-1750’s. In the 18th century tea drinking became popular in the social circle, and became a highly fashionable activity. By the 19th century it has taken its place in breakfast.


According to Chef  Wright, in classical literature particularly in Jane Austen’s novel food was also depicted, soft boiled eggs was mentioned in Emma, while brioche was mentioned in Northanger Abbey.

In the 19th century English breakfast reached new heights. According to Christine Robinson (head housekeeper at Chatsworth), if you are a lady at those times you might prefer breakfast in bed. Breakfast is that time of the day that a lady can eat in bed. Edward VII is a frequent guest at Chatsworth. His favorite breakfast dish was hollowed onions, with chicken liver stuffings mixed with brandy and then baked. It’s a hugely indulgent breakfast. In those times, a large party consists of 2,920 hot and cold dishes. The recommended menu are as follows:

Menu:
Trout, Plovers, Eggs in Aspic
Sweet bread cutlets, Fried Filets of Sole, Coquiller of Shrimp
 Kidney Omelet, Devilled chicken, Hashed Venison, Eggs.
Kedgeree of Salmon, Broiled pigeons, Eggs and Bacon

In the 19th century, the middle-class also wanted to enjoy and experience what the Aristocrats are having. Fortnum and Mason (a sort of specialty shop) was founded by a footman in 1707. Before the customers aren’t allowed to touch the products, they can only taste it. A store staff will take note of what they wanted, and can give them advise or suggest things to them.

Marmalade brought in England in the year 1660’s by Portuguese  Princess Catherine of Braganza who became the Queen of England. The oldest marmalade was the Burlington’s breakfast marmalade. It was first made for the earl of Burlington, the recipe now was made by his chef.


The Victorian and Edwardian era, people kept adapting and inventing. Breakfast was considered as an early refinement. Chef Wright was able to try some of dishes a this time. She tried the kedgeree, which consists of rice and lentils, considered a poor man’s meal. British officer from India brought the dish to England, and they added smoked fish in it, and India the fish that they use is fresh. Kipper is a preserved salted fish.

Chef Wright also talked about another revolution in the breakfast history. The invention of the
popular American breakfast,  a household name all over the world, Kellogg’s cornflakes. Dr. Kellogg’s was a member of 7th day Adventist, and believes that God intended for us to eat vegetables, nuts and grains only. He was also the inventor of peanut butter. He invented the cereal because he believes that oatmeal is no good for him.   After tasting and getting to know the history of this popular American breakfast item, she came to the conclusion that sweetened cereals is not for her.

Having a filling breakfast put us into good mood. Nowadays, in our fast-paced time it is a luxury to have a cooked breakfast. A good breakfast comes with a cost and that is time. Lunch was a meal that didn’t exist almost 300 years ago. Dinner is a meal that clearly signals how we position ourselves to our peers. In the middle-ages dinner was done during the middle of the day where there is still light. According to Sally Dixon Smith (food historian), Ravioli started in the 14th century. No plate or cutlery existed during the middle-ages. People didn’t eat on a plate. They eat on a trencher. Dining exercises in decorum and hygiene exists, and it is not a raucous event.  Entertainment during dinner is not only expected on minstrels or court jesters, but also to medieval cooks, who only not prepared food which were feast for the eyes but also they can throw odd jokes. Liber Cure Cocorum is a book about culinary practical jokes.


According to Ivan Day (food historian), during medieval times they have limited cooking apparatus, nevertheless they can produce unique dishes. Like the mock entrails, which was called Chawdewyne De Boyce (chaudron entrails of the woods). It is made of mixed nuts, and raisins, with batter, and roasted to resemble entrails. Gluttony is a mark of aristocracy.

The Tudors (Welsh in origin), indulge themselves in sweets. They even have an area that is dedicated for making confectionary. Sweets are not for poor people because, sugar during those times are expensive. Sugar was imported from North Africa and Egypt. Painted marzipan is a popular dessert. Ellinor Fettiplace, invented the recipe for meringue, and she is a favorite of Chef Wright. In a banquet, the goodies were usually served in the end. Chef Wright was given in her honor a fondant in the shape of a shield, depicting the star sign when she was born, numbers associated with her, talents/skills and beans (which means secrets she divulged). Decay and tooth problems are rampant in those days because of their love for sweets. Anyhow, the damage was alleviated during the 17th century with the arrival of a concept of toothbrush, which originated from China.

Fork was a 17th century implement. Thomas Coryat brought it from Italy. He wrote about the fork in 1608. Coryat was seen as a social weirdo. For was a 2 flat prong back then. It was when Charles I declared in 1663 that it is decent to eat with a fork. By the end of the 17th century everyone was using a fork. The use of spoon signifies a political allegiance to Charless II (trefid spoon).

Supper is a light meal at the end of the day. Dinner is the main meal of the day. It is moved to 3 or 4 in the afternoon because of the light. Lunch is usually taken at midday. Meat is a vital part of dinner. Please do check out the part II. Thank you! 

Friday, January 1, 2016

My Favorite English Films (Regency, Victorian era, contemporary) Pt.II

    As promised, here's the second part of my blog with regards to my favorite English movies. The remaining movies in my lists are mostly children's novels, as well as adult novels that has a movie adaptation. In continuation, they are as follows:

8.) Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
   There are two movie adaptation of this wonderful children's book by Roald Dahl. He has authored a lot of children's book but this one for me is the most notable one. When I first saw the Hollywood movie starring  Gene Wilder, I was immediately hooked. As a kid this movie was really eye-catching for me, and I'm sure to every kid in the world also. As a little child, we dream of a place like this. Going to a chocolate factory is the best-thing ever! What I love about this movie is that it is a family-oriented one. I love the character of Charlie. Also he loves his grandparents so much. I love both the classic and the latest film starring Johnny Depp, I so love this movie that I even dressed-up as Willy Wonka (even if I am a woman) in our office 'trick or treat' event. I recommend this movie to everyone, kids as well as adults will surely enjoy this movie. It has a moral lesson too!


9.) The Chronicles of Narnia (The Lion, the Witch and The Wardrobe)

     This is another favorite of mine. Because it is a Christian allegory written by C.S. Lewis. I have the BBC video of this, and also the book (all the novels compiled into one book, just like my Jane Austen novels). I lend the book and the video to a churchmate of mine. This is such a good story to share. My favorite book, is 'The Horse and His Boy.' I really cried reading that novel. The latest movie adaptation is good because of the special effects.

10.) The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings
     I really enjoyed this movie. It is very action-packed. I patronize this movie because it was written by a Christian author, J.R.R (John Ronald Reuel) Tolkien. Both are trilogies. I can relate to the character of Bilbo Baggins who is a very homebody person. This is a very good fantasy film. It also shows that evil will not triumph, that good will still win even if it seems like evil is reigning in the world, I don't have a copy of this book. My favorite character is Legolas Greenleaf, an elf. Aside, from being good looking, he's an expert in his craft, an good archer, and he loves his dwarf friend, Gimli, even if dwarfs and elves doesn't always have a good relationship with each other. Both Lewis and Tolkien are a member of 'The Inklings,' according to Wikipedia, the Inklings was an informal literary discussion group associated with the University of Oxford, England between the early 1930's and late 1949. Well, people who are like-minded, do flock together. It's really nice if you are associated with someone who shares the same hobbies and interest as you do. Who could better understand you than someone who shares the same passion and interest? right?! Just like yours truly, who recently joined Jane Austen Society in Australia, and that's also the reason why I created this blog.

11.) Austenland
     This movie is my recent favorite. Although the author of the book is an American, Shannon Hale. I would like to add this to my movie list. (Still, looking for Mr. Darcy, Mr. Tilney, and Col.Brandon). This movie is set in the modern era. A Jane Austen fan in her thirties named Jane, goes to Austenland (a theme park, similar to Jane Austen's period, wherein clients are treated to a Regency lifestyle, complete with all the wardrobe, etc., and you get to play a certain character, and you will get to pick and use a new name). The movie was not a faithful adaptation to the novel, but they both have a good ending. I really love the movie, it is another must-watch feel good movie. To all Jane Austen fans I recommend this movie.

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    Anyway, that's my movie list for now. I have yet to see other English films. To those who are Harry Potter fans (due to personal reasons I did not include it in my favorite list), I know that movie is a popular one, I did not add it here, even if I have seen it. So, I apologize for that. These movies that are in my list, are the unforgettable ones for me. Hope you try and check out the movies, and I'm sure you'll also enjoy watching them as much as I did!

My Favorite English Films (Regency, Victorian era, contemporary) Pt.I

   Firstly, I would like to greet you dear readers of this blog, a very Happy New Year! For my first post this year I would like to share with you my favorite movies. But mind you, they're not just your regular kind of movies. You see, I have a thing for classic things. Mainly, because they don't fade away, they remain there as time goes by. Just like wine, they get better, and better. I also love vintage things, and I do appreciate the olden' days. I also love watching English period movies, the Regency and Victorian era. I would like to share to you some of my favorite films, as well as classic, and contemporary movies. I have not included here all of Jane Austen's novel - movie adapation. I will write a separate post for it. Also, from what I have noticed, all of our great writers came from England, well enough of my intros, I won't keep you hanging, below is the list.

1.) Bright Star
    I found this movie while searching for a free online streaming movie websiteBased from the plot
of the movie, I find it interesting. Why? Because, ever since I have somewhat enjoyed watching classic movies from Shirley Temple's, "Heidi" and "A Little Princess", Ingrid Bergman's, "Anastasia" and to Peter's Finch's, "Lost Horizon" movie among many others, so this movie seemed okay for me. True enough, I wasn't disappointed. Since, there's also a 'poet' hidden inside of me so that's why I've also liked the story.
     
      The movie is about the English romantic poet John Keats and his short lived romance with Fanny Brawne. I will not tell anything more about John Keats life story because I want you,dear readers of this blog of mine to watch the movie for yourselves. Anyway, if you want a classic movie, with poetry, drama and romance, then you better check-out this film! 

2.) Jane Eyre


 While looking for Jane Austen's film, I saw this. This one is a movie adaptation of Charlotte Bronte's novel. This is a fairly good movie, that will keep you on your seat until the last part. This movie is about an orphaned girl, who stayed with her abusive aunt during her younger years, and later on studied in a school for orphaned and poor children, then after she applied for work as a governess at the estate of Sir Edward Rochester. The latest adaptation (2011 movie) seems eerie to me, and it's more like a suspense movie, with that tinge of gothic feel to it. I don't find this movie boring at all. Though the plot is a bit new to me. I would not put into details what my thoughts are, no spoilers here. I also love the way the movie shows the realities of life, that not everyone is living a good life, and the realities of this cruel world we live. There's also a romantic flavor to this film.  

3.) Miss Potter
    This is one of my most favorite English films aside from Austen's movie adaptations. This is the biographical story of the author of the well-loved English children's book, "The Tale of Peter Rabbit." Like the character of Jane Austen, Helen Beatrix Potter is
not your usual English lady. I really can relate to this movie, because like Beatrix, I have a love for the arts, although my artworks (water color paintings) will not be at par with her works of course. Also, we are very similar in our state of life, she is a spinster. But of course, we never lose our romantic side. If you have read her book as a child, I'm sure you will enjoy getting to know the author as well. Her beloved creation, Peter Rabbit is a popular character merchandise (books, housewares, etc.). I highly recommend this movie. I like this movie so much that I have a dvd of it!

4) A Dog of Flanders
   There are many movie adaptation of this film. But I enjoyed the 1999 movie version, Although this version is not faithful to the novel's ending. But we all love a happy ending right? The novel was written by an English author with an alias as Ouida (Marie Louise de la Ramee). There's also a Japanese animation of this, that became popular in the 90's, and was shown every late afternoon in my country. Again, this is a very realistic story that shows the struggles of a boy, and the realities of life (we face hardships, and challenges everyday) together with his dog Patrasche. I also love this movie because Nello, loves to draw and paint. Dog lovers will also appreciate this film, because Nello has a special bond with his dog. This is a very heartwarming movie. Here's a screen capture that I did, and I also wrote one my favorite quotes on it.

    The following list of English novels below that are turned into movie adaptations are films I have seen when I was a kid. They were all popular children's story. 

5) A Little Princess
    This popular children's story was written by Frances Hodgson Burnett, it has many adaptations too! We even had a version based on the Japanese animation, 'Princess Sarah'. I like our local version better, compared to the 1995 Hollywood movie adaptation. I have also seen the classic film (The Little Princess 1939) starring the famous American child star, Shirley Temple, she was really cute in that movie! The movie includes the character of Queen Victoria. The classic movie's ending was altered. Anyway, both the novel's ending and the book are a happy one, so either way I'm sure you will enjoy watching the movie or reading the book. 

6) The Secret Garden
    I bought the book when I was still a kid. Although I haven't finished reading it. In the long run, I gave away the book. This novel was also written by Ms. Burnett. The movie has that melancholy feel to it. It has that Nancy Drew feel, the character acting like a sleuth, discovering something, and doing something that's against the rules. It tells of the story of Mary Lennox, and a boy she met on the big house named Colin, who is very sick. The movie that I have seen is quite a bit of a love story also.

    I will end here, and will post soon. Part II of my favorite English movies. Hope you check out my next blog post!