'Definitive' period drama adaptation of banned novel that fan binged now streaming

A steamy period drama that will set viewers' pulses racing is available for streaming right now, following audiences lapping up one series branded "sublime" and another celebrated as the "alternative Austen", reports the Mirror.

The BBC production stands as just one of numerous adaptations of a novel that faced prohibition owing to the social conventions of its era.

Nevertheless, this particular version has garnered acclaim from countless viewers for successfully embodying the essence of the original book.

One glowing 10/10 review on IMDb declared: "A truly masterful performance for all involved. I did not even know this existed until recently and I sat to watch it in one sitting."

Another viewer lauded the programme's visual appeal in their critique: "An excellent work of art in a long and expertly made movie. Being almost totally visual, I must admit I'm carried away by visually beautiful movies, and this one is tops."

A third reviewer entitled their assessment: "A beautiful, complicated love story I enjoyed" and elaborated: "This movie was very enjoyable as well as instructive.

"It was enjoyable because it was so faithful to the most popular version of the story and instructive about how people conducted their lives after WW1 in England."

Lady Chatterley emerged in 1993, chronicling the fiery romance between an aristocratic woman, Constance Chatterley (portrayed by Joely Richardson) and her working-class groundskeeper, Oliver Mellors (Sean Bean). Initially, Constance and Mellors had an agreement that she would become pregnant and claim the child was her injured WWI veteran husband Sir Clifford Chatterley's (James Wilby) offspring.

However, this arrangement soon gave way to a blossoming romance between Constance and Mellors, marking a sexual and spiritual awakening for her.

The series has been lauded for its portrayal of the novel and its leading man, Bean.

One viewer commented on IMDb: "This is the definitive Lady Chatterley's Lover" and added: "After having seen all the film adaptations of Lady Chatterley's Lover 1981 onwards, in my opinion none of them can hold a candle to (this) Ken Russell's version. It has beauty, poetry, squalor and vision."

Another fan encouraged viewers to watch Lady Chatterley for Bean, stating the series "belongs" to him, "who gets his teeth in and doesn't let go".

A different viewer remarked: "Sean Bean Amazes Yet Again" and elaborated: "I have followed his career since seeing the Sharpe's episodes and in everything he is in, he takes the part and makes it his own. A simply wonderful effort and a beautifully touching love story."

The four-part series is an adaptation of D. H.

Lawrence's 1928 novel Lady Chatterley's Lover, which was banned in the UK, America, Australia, India, Japan, and other countries for obscenity.

It was only in 1960, following the outcome of the British obscenity trial R v Penguin Books Ltd, that Britons were finally able to read the novel. As expected, the book quickly became a bestseller after its lengthy censorship.

The novel had been banned in Britain as it was deemed indecent and immoral due to its sexual content and explicit language.

Lady Chatterley's Lover also depicted an inter-class romance, which was considered taboo at the time given Britain's rigid social structure, not to mention featuring an extramarital affair.

The novel had been privately published in the late 1920s in France and Italy, according to the BBC, but was censored by others thereafter.

Lady Chatterley (1993) is streaming on Prime Video for a fee