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Cider with Rosie

Cider with Rosie

Based on the classic coming of age memoir by Laurie Lee

TV movie201590 minMidcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films
Director
Philippa Lowthorpe
Starring
Samantha Morton, Timothy Spall, June Whitfield, Shola Adewusi

A semi-autobiographical coming-of-age story set in the Cotswolds during and immediately after the First World War.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Cider with Rosie?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Cider with Rosie streaming on Prime Video and Tubi (free).

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Highlights

What stands out about Cider with Rosie?

Cider with Rosie earns 4 badges, led by Crowd Pleaser and Bittersweet.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office

Reception

Is Cider with Rosie worth watching?

Cider with Rosie's Midcredits score is the 53rd percentile of all films, from 1.3K ratings across 4 sources. 53% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

53rd percentile

Better received than 53% of films

51st percentile among Drama53rd percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)48th
Approval (how many liked it)56th

61 /100

48th percentile of all films

47th percentile among Drama49th percentile among 2010s

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.5 — solid but not unanimous.

53% liked it

56th percentile of all films

55th percentile among Drama56th percentile among 2010s
53% rated it 7–1047% rated it 1–6

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 0 wins / 2 noms overall

Reach

How many have seen it

53rd percentile

1.3K ratings across platforms

56th percentile among Drama56th percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 5% in 30 days

What reviewers say

Common ground

A gentle, nostalgic adaptation of Laurie Lee's memoir of rural English childhood, with strong central performances from Samantha Morton and Timothy Spall, but its episodic, time-jumping structure and uneven acting divide viewers.

Fans praised

  • Samantha Morton's warm, maternal performance as Annie
  • Faithful recreation of Laurie Lee's memoir and the vanished village world
  • Beautiful rural scenery and period atmosphere

Detractors panned

  • Confusing time jumps and flashback structure
  • Overall acting quality described as woeful or school-play level
  • Timothy Spall's narration irritating and grating

What stands out

AtmosphereDivisive75

Magical recreation of a lost English village; detractors say it fails to immerse

Cinematography70

Lovely countryside, period-accurate costumes and sets

Emotional impactDivisive65

Nostalgic, touching portrait of childhood; detractors feel nothing

ActingDivisive55

Samantha Morton and Timothy Spall praised; child actors and accents called terrible by some

DialogueDivisive55

Rooted in Laurie Lee's prose; narration and accents either poetic or grating

CharactersDivisive50

Jack Harris's Spadge praised as complex; others found characters thin or miscast

Plot and storyDivisive40

Episodic narrative from the book; detractors call it inconsequential and confusing

PacingDivisive40

Slow-burn and gentle for fans; detractors call it a yawn-fest with bad time jumps

Watch experience

What is Cider with Rosie like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Quiet and reflective: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you are in a patient, quiet mood.

It is gentle, takes its time and leaves you bittersweet. Skip it when you want things to move fast.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Patience.

What it feels like

Quiet and reflective.

Moods
WarmMelancholic
Heaviest: late
Warm humor
Register
WarmSentimental · 8% of films
Told as
Nonlinear · 6% of films: Events shown out of chronological order.Episodic · 13% of films: Loosely connected incidents rather than one driving plot.
ToneThe film treats its material with affectionate nostalgia and sincere warmth, never undercutting its gentle drama.
The rideThe film is gentle and nostalgic throughout, with its emotional weight highest toward the end during the cider with Rosie scene—a fleeting, ecstatic climax under a cart.
StructureThe story jumps between young Loll's childhood and older Loll's adolescence, structured as vignettes with voiceover narration.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Bittersweet.

BittersweetWistful · 8% of films
Why it leaves you this wayLeaves a gentle longing for a lost world and the sweet-pain of growing up.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22% (this title)

No archetype fits — true of 22% of films: ensemble pieces, satire, slice-of-life.

Why this archetypeThe film is a semi-autobiographical coming-of-age character study, not driven by a traditional plot archetype.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfFamilybonds
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27% (this title): Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% (this title) · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% (this title) · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% (this title) · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Bonds

Family bondsComing of age · 5% of filmsCommunity · 14% of films: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe story centers on the Lee family, especially mother Annie raising her children alone, and on village community ties, while following young Loll's passage from childhood to adolescence.
StanceThe film celebrates family bonds and the community of a small village, treating childhood and communal life as precious, even as it acknowledges hardship.

The world

Early 20th centuryRuralDomesticWildernessRealistic
Orchestral classicalFolkSupportive music · original score · Peter Salem
Settinga Gloucestershire village (Slad) during and just after WWI
MusicLikely features gentle orchestral and folk elements to evoke a pastoral, nostalgic atmosphere.

Content guide

Is Cider with Rosie okay for kids?

Ratings in 1 other country
  • UK12

No detailed content scores for this title yet.

What content warnings does Cider with Rosie have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Cider with Rosie?

Cast

Samantha Morton
as Annie Lee
Timothy Spall
as Laurie Lee
June Whitfield
as Granny Wallon
Shola Adewusi
as Mrs Moore
Finn Bennett
as Jack
Bebe Cave
as Doth
Archie Cox
as Loll
Annette Crosbie
as Granny Trill
Emma Curtis
as Marge
Jessica Hynes
as Crabby

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Cider with Rosie?

Movies like Cider with Rosie include The Railway Children (1970), My Father's Glory (1990) and How Green Was My Valley (1941). Of the 8 closest matches, two are coming-of-age stories, and most are stories about parents and children.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

7 of these 8 share its subject: family bonds. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Cider with Rosie?

3.8K other films share the rarest tag below, follows: child. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.