From Time to Time (2009)

From Time to Time: Directed by Julian Fellowes. With Alex Etel, Timothy Spall, Maggie Smith, Christopher Villiers. A haunting ghost story spanning two worlds, more than a century apart. When 13-year-old Tolly finds he can mysteriously travel between the two, he begins an adventure that unlocks family secrets laid buried for generations.

“Julian Fellowes adapted the screenplay from Lucy M. Bostonu0026#39;s novel u0026#39;The Chimneys of Green Knoweu0026#39; and as expected, especially when he directs his own films the story though slight is filled with elegance, grace and rich atmosphere. With a splendid cast it truly comes to life.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eSet in 1940s England, 13-year-old Tolly (Alex Etel) is sent to stay with his grandmother (Maggie Smith) at her country home, which she fears she will have to sell due to money problems. Tollyu0026#39;s father is fighting in WWII, and is missing in action. As his grandmother tells him about the history of the house, and Tollyu0026#39;s ancestors, he finds that he is able to travel back in time to 1805 and discover secrets about his familyu0026#39;s past, which still resonate today. The idea of time lapse is present in the story from 1805 – which centers around Tollyu0026#39;s ancestors, the kindly Captain Oldknow (Hugh Bonneville) and his selfish wife Maria (Carice van Houten) and their children Sefton, a spoiled, selfish young man (Douglas Booth) and a kindly, blind girl Susan (Eliza Bennett). Into their lives comes Jacob (Kwayedza Kureya), a former slave who escapes from captivity with the help of Captain Oldknow and joins the household as a companion for Susan, much to the chagrin of Sefton. The primary storyline is set in the 1940s, with Tolly and his grandmother worrying about what has become of Tollyu0026#39;s father, while at the same time getting to know and understand each other. The cast is augmented with character roles played by Timothy Spall, Dominic West, Douglas Booth, Rachel Bell and Pauline Collins.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThis is a spirited adventure ghost story played two centuries apart and for those who enjoy the artistry of Julian Fellowes, this is a fine eveningu0026#39;s diversion. u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eGrady Harp”