Lights, Camera... History! » Series

The Pillars of The Earth

Ana T. — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 07:14:26 +0000

(image from allocine.fr)

The date approaches for the premiere of one of our most anticipated series this year. The Pillars of the Earth, based on the novel by Ken Follet, will be aired on TV on July 23rd. While we wait we thought of sharing some videos with you!

Trailer:

Preview:

Behind the Scenes:

Official website: http://www.the-pillars-of-the-earth.tv/

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1453159/

Garrow’s Law – the 2nd series

Ana T. — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 08:04:20 +0000

Last year we really enjoyed watching Garrow’s Law which we reviewed here. We have been reading here and there about a possible second series and finally it has been confirmed by the legal and historical consultant of the series. It’s not an official BBC announcement though but we have high hopes that that will come soon.

The first season of Garrow’s Law won an RTS Award earlier this year in the History category. Here’s a quote from the RTS site: “The jury were very impressed by the accessible telling of such a good ‘unknown’ dramatic story based on strong historical research.”

BBC site

Fan site

MTA: BBC’s Press Release about the filming

Jane Eyre (1973)

Ana T. — Sun, 09 May 2010 17:20:50 +0000

Another Jane Eyre adaptation, this time from 1973 and starring Sorcha Cusack and Michael Jayston in the leading roles. It is the third one I watch, after the 2006 and the 1983 series, and it’s difficult not to keep comparing them.

I thought this was the most theatrical of the three, which is easily explained because its date (I was reminded of Emma 1972 which follows the same lines) and so the costumes and settings all seem a bit dated, not to say cheesy. I’m not one to be put off by them though as they are a common occurrence when you like to watch old series like I do.

I was looking forward to watching also because I felt Sorcha Cusack had the right type to play Jane. That small freckled face seemed right to me. However I must say that I was a bit disappointed with the acting. I know I’m probably just too used to what is being done today. Actors play their roles in a more subtle manner and the camera work is a lot more sophisticated so sometimes just a look or a gesture can show a meaning, a feeling… Here the acting seemed a bit too distant and artificial. I’ve read rave reviews of the series but I just can’t see it. I am glad to have watched it for comparison purposes but I can’t really say it’s a favorite. Michael Jayston sounds a bit too loud and Sorcha Cusack a bit too confident at times. I did very much like the actor portraying St. John Rivers although I couldn’t find his name on IMDB, he sounded very aware of his own importance and role just like I thought the character should be.

The script follows Charlotte Brontës work closely and comparing it with the 1983 version it covers most of the same events although it gives a lot less screen time to the period when Jane was destitute and homeless after leaving Thornfield. The gipsy scene and the goodbye scene before Jane runs away are also different and I much prefer the 83 scenes. I keep comparing it to the 83 version because that’s the last one I saw and so the one that I remember better but I will definitely continue to look for more versions to watch and compare.

Henry VIII (2003)

Ana T. — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 18:13:22 +0000

With a well known cast that includes Ray Winstone, Emilia Fox, Assumpta Serna, Charles Dance, David Suchet, Mark Strong and Helena Bonham-Carter among others, Henry VIII is a miniseries depicting the life of the mentioned king and his six wives.

Although there are certain flaws I must confess that I was glued to the TV screen from the very beginning. This may be totally wrong but the idea I have of Henry VIII is of a man governed at least to a point by his appetites and desires and somewhat coarse. Winstone certainly portrays that to perfection. They explain his change of wives by his desire to have a son, an idea engraved in his mind by his father on his death bed. I thought that might be stretching things a bit by I suppose it fit the perspective they wanted for their story.

The action is too rushed however. Also some things were changed for dramatic purposes, like Jane Seymour, supposedly the most discreet of his wives, who here was a bit too outspoken. There are many historical inaccuracies and especially the lack of political and economical context as all the screen time is devoted to Henry and his wives. The only exception is Robert Aske’s revolt but the events are also changed to present a more glamourised version. If the viewer doesn’t have an idea of what really went on during Henry’s reign this is definitely not the best miniseries to get educated.

However if you already have that knowledge and want to watch it for entertainment value it is certainly worth your while. The cast alone is impressive, besides Winstone I would have to point out Helena Bonham-Carter who makes an engaging and tragic Anne Boleyn. But there’s more to like in the settings, the costumes and those little details used to make it a lavish atmosphere. So, I would recommend this series but with that big set of reservations mentioned above. Watch it at your own peril!!

Jane Eyre (1983)

Ana T. — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 18:02:05 +0000

Even since I watched, and loved, Jane Eyre (2006) that I have been curious about the other adaptations. Since I have several in the TBS pile I decided to start with this one.

I was pleasantly surprised with this adaptation starring Timothy Dalton and Zelah Clarke and dating from 1983. Although the colours and the lighting give it a somehow dated feel I discovered that I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought. The main thing for me was that this is a longer version where there’s time to include most of what’s in the book. I think long adaptations are a plus when you have a rich story and it’s a pity that most of them have to be cut to make them into a shorter format. It lacks some of the magnetism of the 2006 version though (where my biggest complaint is that it should have been longer).

I did like Dalton and Clarke as Rochester and Jane, none of them is beautiful in the traditional sense but Dalton’s brooding and angular looks are certainly very appealing and his voice captivates. It’s not difficult to understand Jane’s attraction to him. He plays the angry Rochester as well as the fun and the loving Rochester very well although at times he seems a bit too teathrical. Clarke looks just plain and contained enough to be Jane and although she doesn’t look as young as Jane should be at the time that didn’t really bother me. I really liked the actress playing young Jane with her outbursts of revolt and could see the older Jane learning to master her temper to the point that when Clarke displays some childlike behaviour (like when Bessie visits her at school) I was almost surprised by it.

Regarding the secondary cast, and as far as I remember all the characters from the book show up, they were very good and delivered solid performances that only added to the final success.

So, although the 2006 version is still my favourite and Toby Stephens and Ruth Wilson are still my Rochester and my Jane Eyre, this is actually an interesting series that made me want to reread the book and definitely watching more of the older series so I can compare them.

IMDB

Here’s a teaser but you can find the whole series on You Tube:

The Emmas: which is your favorite?

Alex — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 17:02:10 +0000

[[Show as slideshow]]

Jane Austen’s world is a fascinating place for all fans of period drama. Aware of this interest cinema and TV soon started to adapt the British writer novels to the screen. Until today we can count several Emma adaptations and spinoffs. We are going to talk about four of them, the ones we know and watched or reviewed already.

The 1972, if watchable, is too theatrical and the characters very different from what we always imagine while reading the book. Emma doesn’t have that quirky side that makes up for her snobbish attitude. She is serious and quite the good girl. Also, Mr. Knightley who is, as we are well aware, 16 years older than the young woman, looked much more like her father than her beau. We are very far from the handsome and wise landowner who captivated the heart of Miss Woodhouse.

In 1996 we were gifted with two Emma adaptations. The first casting mostly Hollywood stars with Gwyneth Paltrow and Jeremy Northan in the leading roles was filled with glamor, beautiful sets and not less gorgeous costumes, If we didn’t care for Paltrow’s Emma who seemed at our eyes even more superficial than Austen’s Emma, Jeremy Northam, in the other hand is a charming delightful man. His Mr. Knightley is a success!

The ITV version, compared with the sumptuosity of the previous one, seemed more simple, especially the costumes. But the actors were for us far superior. Beckinsale’s role in Much Ado About Nothing made us fear for the worst but the young woman gave us a funny, loving and sometimes extremely annoying Emma. Snob enough to get into our nerves, but sufficiently generous to find grace at our eyes and wish her to find her HEA with the very manly Mr Knightley played by Mark Strong. Obviously a very talented actor, Strong is for us THE perfect leading man. He may not have Northan’s classical looks but his talent, his intensity and, oh my, his voice, winned us over right from the beginning. This is our favorite adaptation so far.

When we heard about a new Emma coming up produced by BBC, we were a little skeptical. Could they make something better than Beckinsale’s Emma? Well, we truly hoped so! The cast was a surprise and especially the choice of Romola Garai. Don’t take us wrong, she is a talented actress and a very pretty one but far, in our minds, from being an Emma. Jonny Lee Miller was also a surprise but we wanted to wait and see what he was capable of.

The opening credits and music were captivating and the first imagines let us hope for the best. After four episodes of incredibly well chosen settings and beautiful costumes (the colors!!!) we were under the charm.

And you? What is your favorite Emma adaptation and why? Don’t forget to vote in our poll but you can also leave a comment.

Emma (2009) – Monthly Discussion

Ana T. — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 11:53:55 +0000

[[Show as slideshow]]

We haven’t had a monthly discussion in some time but the truth is that not only our time has been scarce lately but also we were waiting for a series/movie that would appeal to many of us, period drama obsessional fans. BBC’s Emma (2009), from the very beginning, seemed like the perfect choice for a discussion. Austen is a beloved and well known author who has been adapted many times before and the fact that many viewers are also devoted readers means that with her adaptations we are always sure to have heated discussions on whether the script and actors live up to what viewers have in their heads.

We have already posted a double review of Emma where we questioned some of the aspects of the series. Now we are eager to know what you all thought about this new version. We have prepared a few questions to stir the discussion but feel free to tells us more of what you liked or disliked about the series.

Was it love at first sight or were you disappointed? Several people have mentioned the series improves on repeated viewing and that is definitely a sign of success as far as we are concerned.
Did you enjoy the cast? Were Romola Garai and Jonny Lee Miller right for the role and gave credible performances? What about the secondary cast?
Did you like the changes in the story or do you think Austen’s words should not be changed?
What about the technical aspects like costumes, settings or lighting?
Do you have a favourite scene? If so, which one?
Finally, do you agree with Jane Austen that Emma is a heroine no one else besides herself would like?

Announcing our next monthly discussion (15-21 February)

Alex — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 15:32:08 +0000

It’s been ages since we did our last montly discussion and we’ve been talking lately about organizing another one, this time about the new BBC Emma. Stay tunned during the 15th and 21st February if you want to share your opinions with us!

Boardwalk Empire – The Trailer

Ana T. — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 10:51:55 +0000

Remember when we posted this piece of news? Well, the trailer has been released and it looks really interesting!! Anyone else waiting for this one to appear on the TV screens?

The Borgias

Ana T. — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 14:34:09 +0000

We have mentioned in the past the TV series The Tudors. The series seems to be coming to an end after the fourth season is aired later this year but it was such a success that Showtime decided to renew the formula but now with another dinasty, The Borgias. If there’s a family whose reputation is begging for a TV adaptation is this one and considering what the script writers did with The Tudor’s we are sure this one is bound to be even more… interesting…

Production is set to start soon, for a whole season of 13 episodes (some news mention 10 episodes), but we will probably only watch it in our TV screens sometime in 2011. The story will be set in the late 15th century and the main character has already been cast – Jeremy Irons will play Rodrigo Borgia, the head of the family. Rodrigo became Pope in 1492 but the family is usually better known by the accusations of rampant corruption, murder, numerous affairs and even incest. We are looking forward to find out who will play Lucrezia Borgia and her brother Cesare.

Will The Borgias prove to be as great a success as The Tudors?