The Scottish Film SUNSET SONG-Scenice Scotland Post OUTLANDER Pre WWI

Dir/screenwriter Terrance Davies' (b.  1945 Britain) lSUNSET SONG is a sumptuos film of the Scotish countryside on the brink of WWI.  The bucolic beauty of the land belies the serentiy within the household of a family headed by a tyrannical father.  He takes as much sadistic pleasure in flogging his son as Capt Randall does Jamie in the OUTLANDER TV series.  The film features shots of a Stonehenge assemblage  and rolling, green countrysides.  The lead character, Chris is the oldest daughter in this family.  The father is so brutal, her brother flees & her mother poisons herself & her twin infants.  Chris, a promising student with career aspirations to teach finds herself bound to her father & the farm. Fortunately for her, the father suffers a stroke liberating her & leaving her the land.  Chris (not unlike Claire) is a very sensual & sexual being.  Chris finds happiness as a young newly wed with Ewan.  Together they work the farm harmoniously & bear a son.  Their domestic bliss is short lived.  Germany & England are now at war.  However, not all Scotts wish to align with the Brits & do their fighting.  Those who do not enlist are accused of cowardice and allied with Germany.  Ewan reuluctantly enlists.  On his 1st furlough, his demeanor has radically changed into an abusive lout.  Chris fails to acknowledge Ewan's departure.  The gloaming cinematography & rustic farming are charming.  "Lovely things in the world don't endure and are made lovelier for that."  SUNSET SONG is a harsh & stunning look at life in Scotland in the early 20thC.  Aye, I'm more captivated by the OUTLANDER series set in Scotland early 18th C.