Housewife, 49

How do the Brits manage to hit so many home runs when it comes to a good drama? Americans, Canadians, Australians, etc., have good writers, talented people, modern equipment, organization skills - everything that Britain has - yet they can't seem to produce a good product very often - especially for television.

The Brits prove this point once again with Housewife, 49. This film has everything going for it. Superb acting, perfect capture of time and place, and a story line that rings true in every aspect, make this a memorable experience. Television programming of this quality justifies my cable bills each month.

This is a true story of Nella Last, a housewife, with grown children. At the request of her doctor, Nella writes a diary around the beginning of the Second World War. Nella had had a nervous breakdown the year before and this was to help forestall a recurrence. The doctor also suggests she volunteer with a Women's War Group. About the same time, the government began a Mass Observation Project, to record everyday life in Britain. It encouraged ordinary citizens to mail their diary to them each month. Nella wrote with simplicity and honesty of her changing life during the war and submitted her writing, in pencil most often, regularly.

I do realize that the playing field is not level - the drivel that is produced in the UK just doesn't make it across the pond. I am comparing the best from Britain with both the good and the not-so-good from North America. Even though, there seems to be much more memorable television produced over there.