To Walk Invisible

It's the early 19th century, and the windswept moors of Yorkshire are home to the Brontë family, a clan of modest means, yet possessed of an insatiable imagination and a fierce determination to succeed. The story of the Brontë sisters, Charlotte, Emily, and Anne, is one of love, loss, and literature, as we delve into their remarkable lives in ITV's 2016 drama, To Walk Invisible. Set in the midst of a tumultuous era, the film opens on the family's patriarch, Patrick Brontë, a former curate turned village priest, who struggles to make ends meet. Though his wife, Maria, has passed away, leaving him to raise their six children on his own, he remains steadfast in his devotion to his family and to his craft. As Patrick toils in his parsonage, his daughters, Maria, Elizabeth, Charlotte, Emily, and Anne, grow up surrounded by the rugged beauty of the moors and the written word. Their mother, Maria, had instilled in them a love of literature from a young age, and the sisters spend hours poring over the works of the great authors of the time, such as Jane Austen and the Scott brothers. However, life is not without its challenges for the Brontës. The family is poor, and the girls are forced to rely on their imagination to escape the hardships of their daily lives. Charlotte, the eldest, shows a keen aptitude for writing, but her father's ambitions for her lie elsewhere. He hopes that she will marry well and secure a comfortable future for herself. Meanwhile, Emily and Anne are equally passionate about writing, though their talents are less recognized by their father. Emily, the enigmatic and introverted sibling, finds solace in the moors, where she draws inspiration for her own literary works. Anne, the gentle and compassionate sister, writes from the heart, her stories infused with a deep understanding of the human condition. As the sisters grow older, they begin to make a name for themselves in the literary world. Charlotte's writing skills are discovered by a publisher, and her novel, Jane Eyre, becomes a bestseller. Emily's own novel, Wuthering Heights, gains critical acclaim, though her authorship remains a mystery to many. Anne, too, finds success with her novels, Agnes Grey and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, cementing the Brontës' reputation as a literary force to be reckoned with. Throughout the film, the Brontë sisters face numerous challenges, from personal tragedy to professional rejection. Their relationship with their father is complex and often fraught, as they struggle to balance their desire for financial security with their passion for writing. Despite these obstacles, they remain steadfast in their commitment to each other and to their craft. One of the most compelling aspects of To Walk Invisible is its portrayal of the sisters' relationships with the men in their lives. Charlotte, in particular, finds herself torn between her love for the Reverend Wetenhall, a charming and charismatic figure, and her growing attachment to the publisher, George Smith. Meanwhile, Emily's relationship with her brother, Branwell, is complex and often fraught, as he struggles with his own demons and his family's expectations. As the years pass, the Brontë sisters face personal tragedy and heartbreak. Emily's untimely death, at just 30 years old, devastates her family and leaves a lasting impact on their lives. Charlotte, who had always been her closest confidante, is left to carry on her sister's legacy and to ensure that their literary works remain remembered. To Walk Invisible is a deeply moving and thought-provoking drama that celebrates the lives and works of the remarkable Brontë sisters. With its strong performances, beautiful cinematography, and meticulously researched script, it brings the story of these remarkable women to life in a way that is both authentic and captivating. As we watch the Brontës navigate the challenges of their lives, we are reminded of the enduring power of literature and the indomitable spirit of these three remarkable women.