• Network: HBO
  • Series Premiere Date: Feb 26, 2013
  • Season #: 1
Parade's End Image
Metascore

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critics What's this?

User Score

Universal acclaim- based on 22 Ratings

  • Summary: During World War I, Christopher Tietjens (Benedict Cumberbatch) struggles with decorum, duty, and his feelings for his socialite wife Sylvia Satterthwaite (Rebecca Hall), who may not be carrying his child and suffragette Valentine Wannop (Adelaide Clemens) in this five-part miniseries adaption of Ford Madox Ford's novels. Expand
  • Genre(s): Drama, Movie/Mini-Series, Action & Adventure
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 19
  2. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. Reviewed by: Dorothy Rabinowitz
    Feb 22, 2013
    100
    Moment after moment the drama deepens, the rich complexity of Ford's characters make themselves felt in all their strangeness and variety.
  2. Reviewed by: David Hinckley
    Feb 26, 2013
    80
    HBO’S new miniseries Parade’s End won’t stop the “Downton Abbey” DTs. But it can soothe the pain with wonderful visuals and superb performances by Benedict Cumberbatch, Rebecca Hall and Adelaide Clemens.
  3. Reviewed by: James Poniewozik
    Feb 26, 2013
    60
    Sometimes unwieldy, sometimes beautiful, Parade’s End is--like the turbulent new order it ushers in--a bit of a mess, with no easily identifiable good guys. This miniseries doesn’t tell you how to feel, and it’s not exactly bursting with charming, loveable characters. But there’s a poignance to its story of people realizing their orderly parade is breaking up all around them.
  4. While Hall (who plays Tietjens' wife, Sylvia) and Cumberbatch do a fine job of portraying two mismatched people who are nevertheless stuck with each other for a bunch of social, cultural and personal reasons--some of which even they don't understand--Parade's End is often at war with itself.

See all 19 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 2 out of 6
  1. In spite of ravishing cinematography, beautiful dialog, and impeccable acting, this series will most likely have limited appeal in the US because of subtle character development and deliberative pace. For those such as myself who found Downton Abbey' a yawning bore, this series will represent a lush alternative. For the mainstream masses, the opposite will be true. Expand
  2. This is an extremely ambitious, loyal and high-end adaptation of Ford Madox Ford's tetralogy. In essence, it's about an old fashioned, eccentric—part Don Quixote, part John Keats—and gifted aristocrat who is self-destructively and at times comically out of his time. His moral code is constantly challenged and tested by those around him, which creates ample conflict and drama for us to feast on. Benedict Cumberbatch, Rebecca Hall and Adelaide Clemens' performances are exceptionally magnetic. Keep in mind, the miniseries plays like a literary novel in its narrative pace and character development; definitely not suited for the mass culture consumers. Expand
  3. 10
    I don't like watching series or movies based on the wars but I watched this because of Benedict Cumberbatch and I have fallen in love with this series. I have not read the novels or have any idea about the writer but if the books are even half as good as the TV adaptation, they must be a must- read. Christopher Teijens is a brilliant, very committed and decent gentleman. He has a wife who cheats on him and he is love with a girl. At the backdrop is the world war 1. If you are looking for a story, there is not much of it but the true star of the show is the direction, cinematography, amazingly poetic dialogues and unblemished acting by the whole cast. The music compliments the settings and the backdrop very well. Benedict Cumberbatch has shown the world how talented he is. Flawless acting, deep emotions and superb voice modulations. Rebecca Hall and Adelaide Clemens have made the characters of Sylvia and valentine unforgettable.

    Don't watch this if you are a fan of fast paced action. This is for patient, connoisseurs of literature and romantics. Watch it for intelligent viewership.
    Expand
  4. Booooooooring. Although pretty to look at I couldn't care less about these very annoying people. I thought maybe once he went off to WWI I might see some real depth to character...well that lasted for two minutes. The only bright spot is Stephen Graham who can go from being Al Capone to a pathetic Scotsman, fun to watch which Parade's end isn't. Expand

See all 6 User Reviews