Watch Parade's End
- TV-MA
- 2013
- 1 Season
-
7.5 (10,869)
Parade's End is a television miniseries that premiered on HBO in 2012. Based on the novels by Ford Madox Ford, the show is set in England during the early 20th century and follows the lives of its aristocratic characters as they navigate the changes brought about by the First World War.
The story centers around Christopher Tietjens (Benedict Cumberbatch), a brilliant but socially awkward government statistician who struggles to maintain his values and principles in the face of an increasingly chaotic world. Married to the beautiful but manipulative Sylvia (Rebecca Hall), Christopher finds solace in his work and his friendship with the young suffragette Valentine Wannop (Adelaide Clemens).
As the war approaches, Christopher is torn between his duty to his country and his desire to stay true to himself. His marriage to Sylvia is strained by her infidelities and his reluctance to grant her a divorce, while his relationship with Valentine is complicated by their differing views on the war and her involvement with the peace movement.
The show explores themes of love, loyalty, duty, and honor, and offers a nuanced look at the complexities of life during a time of great change. The characters are vividly drawn and the performances, especially by Cumberbatch and Hall, are powerful and nuanced.
The production values are also top-notch, with detailed and evocative period costumes and sets, and cinematography that captures the beauty and the brutality of both the English countryside and the trenches of the Western Front.
Parade's End also features a strong supporting cast, including Rupert Everett as Christopher's cousin, Macmaster, who offers a counterpoint to Christopher's idealism with his cynical pragmatism, and Anne-Marie Duff as Edith Duchemin, a traumatized nurse who offers insight into the effects of the war on civilians.
Overall, Parade's End is a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant drama that offers a fresh perspective on a pivotal moment in history. Its exploration of the challenges faced by its characters is universal, making it an engaging and compelling watch for audiences of all backgrounds.
Parade's End is a series that ran for 1 seasons (5 episodes) between February 26, 2013 and on HBO