Not having read Angela Huth's novel I cannot judge if it is faithful or not, but if it is anything like this film ( with resonances of Chekhov in feeling ) it must be worth reading. Brilliantly acted I am not going to singe anyone out as the whole cast were well chosen. In 2022 the daily horrors and simple delights of WW2 in the UK are surely disappearing into that land of memory we call History, and the main thing of value in this film is the use of the microcosm of a smallish farm and what happens there. The focus is on three land girls ( personally I would have preferred the word women, but that just shows how ' history ' is changeable ) and their work on the farm and how they are drawn into a totally different life. All three have sexual and emotional encounters, and to a more or less extent are involved with the farmer's son. One really does fall in love with him, and there the Chekhovian aspect comes in showing how the most intense feelings can come to nothing but loss because of outer circumstances. Also the details of farm life are beautifully portrayed, even to the fine work of ploughing a field. The visual atmosphere and reality is conveyed by excellent camera work and direction, and except for the one goof of the telephone call every detail is lovingly conveyed. I have seen thousands of films but this one I will return to for its grasp of recalling history and the believability of all of its characters, and in such hard times as ours now in 2022 it is highly recommended.
Review of The Land Girls
