Viewers have been left enamoured by how real and authentic the film is (Image: BBC/Gary Moyes)
Fans of period dramas – particularly those inspired by the magnificent Brontë sisters – are in for an absolute treat, as there is a little-known film being celebrated as the ‘most authentic and real’ portrayal of their lives.
Available to watch at no cost on BBC iPlayer, this underappreciated gem has attracted widespread acclaim, with viewers captivated by how faithful and genuine both the narrative and its locations feel.
The majority of the film was shot on location in Haworth, West Yorkshire – where the sisters actually spent their formative years – and a three-storey, wooden life-size replica of the Brontë Parsonage and its rooms was built with meticulous precision on Penistone Hill in Penistone Country Park, not far from the original building’s actual site.
To Walk Invisible made its UK debut on BBC One in December 2016, before crossing the Atlantic to air on PBS as part of the network’s Masterpiece series in March 2017.
Since its broadcast, the film has accumulated outstanding reviews, yet has remained something of an overlooked and hidden treasure.
Penned and helmed by Sally Wainwright, the period drama centres on the lives and relationships of the three Brontë sisters – Charlotte, Emily, and Anne – alongside their brother Branwell, reports Wales Online.
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The Brontë sisters period drama is available to stream for free on BBC iPlayer (Image: BBC/Matt Squire)
BAFTA-winning writer-director Sally Wainwright’s impressive portfolio includes Happy Valley, Scott and Bailey, and Gentleman Jack, with several of her productions having scooped multiple BAFTAs and other coveted accolades throughout her distinguished career.
The title To Walk Invisible is derived from a letter Charlotte Brontë penned to her publisher, recounting an encounter with a clergyman who had no idea she was the celebrated Currer Bell.
Charlotte believed the title perfectly captured how she and her sisters remained unknown to the wider public, as she expressed in her letter: “What author would be without the advantage of being able to walk invisible?”
To Walk Invisible features Finn Atkins as Charlotte Brontë, Charlie Murphy as Anne Brontë, Chloe Pirrie as Emily Brontë, and Adam Nagaitis as Branwell Brontë, alongside Jonathan Pryce and James Norton.
The younger incarnations of the Brontë siblings are portrayed by Rosie Boore, Lara McDonnell, Talia Barnett, and Troy Tipple.
The period drama focuses on the life and relationships between the three Brontë sisters and their brother (Image: BBC/Gary Moyes)
The production has garnered widespread acclaim from both critics and viewers alike, with one audience member writing: “This was beyond incredible! The acting, costuming and set designs fantastic. If I had never been a Bronte-ite, I would have enjoyed it just for the study of family dynamics. Anyone would find something wonderful in this film.”
One IMDB review of the film said: “It positively reeks of authenticity. The sisters form the nucleus of the story while the ancillary characters orbit them at just the right distance. Each sister is fully actuated and differentiated as a stand-alone character, individual in her own right. I finished the movie with a determination to visit their home again and re-read all of their work.
“How many movies inspire their viewers to travel several thousand miles, spend several thousand dollars, and invest scores of hours in reading? That’s why this movie stays with you days after viewing it”
Another user review on IMDB reads: “Real and accurate portrayal of the Bronte family. This drama was in my opinion the best attempt yet to accurately portray the Bronte family who lived in very difficult times and circumstances. It was gritty, real and brutal. All three sisters were remarkable, all in their own way. Spot on. ten out of ten!”
While one viewer added: “This film feels to me like THE depiction of the Brontes for our age. It is compelling each time I watch it (3 times now). I loved the very end sequence of transition too. It made me feel so close to the characters. Basically I think this film is excellent.”
Another delighted viewer commented on the period drama: “As other reviewers have said, this was almost certainly the best portrayal of the Brontes’ lives that’s ever been made. The three actresses who played the sisters were excellently cast; the chap who played Branwell was also very good, just managing to make the man appear pathetic rather than ridiculous. All in all, a fairly superb piece of scriptwriting and film-making – no genuine fan of the Brontes should be at all disappointed by it.”
Critics likewise echoed the effusive acclaim, with one commenting: “To Walk Invisible presents the Bronte sisters as they’ve never quite been seen before.”
To Walk Invisible is available to stream for free on BBC iPlayer.
