BBC Adaptions - We love thee... it's almost like Bollywood

[konkanikudi]

So it's the Thursday before the long weekend and yours truly has had a rough week. So I said to myself 'Self, you need a pick me up....go to the library and get some DVDs to relax through the weekend!'. So my footsteps took a short walk to the local library and as I browse through the various selections, I think 'North and South!'. There's nothing like watching it for the 9th time right? I mean I saw the whole MI-5 season 9 episode run on PBS two weeks ago and thought I got my Richard Armitage fix but was a whole different character.
Started watching it last night.....sigh......it gets me each time. The passion, the glances and um....the scene at the railway station. Man....that's simmering-about to explode-romance. Why don't I just go ahead and buy it?? And I love the soundtrack and it's not available to buy anywhere....aaargh so frustrating!

[S Hushpuppy]

Why don't I just go ahead and buy it?? And I love the soundtrack and it's not available to buy anywhere....aaargh so frustrating!

Buy it!  Buy it! 

[konkanikudi]

Buy it!  Buy it! 

I should just do it shouldn't I?

[Manturo]

I should just do it shouldn't I?

Just buy it. I did. And I'm happier for it!

[starrysky]

Another "North and South" fan here...   I remember I bought it along with something else, knowing nothing about it... and discovered this gem! Was in a sort of romantic daze for a week after I'd watched it.  

Also loved "Wives and Daughters", such a faithful adaptation, most dialogues are taken straight out of the book and are hardly changed. I especially liked Michael Gambon in it. Reading the book later, heard his voice and intonations in my mind when reading Squire Hamley's lines.

And "Cranford" was quite fabulous!

I also love "Persuasion" with Sally Hawkins. It's a very lyrical, poignant sort of movie. The music is touching and I loved Sally as Anne. Rupert Penry-Jones's handsomeness did not hurt either.  

Then "Pride and Prejudice" (1995), of course, that's a classic...

From the non-BBC adaptations (since I doubt there is a separate thread for them   ) I love Zeffirelli's "Jane Eyre" with Charlotte Gainsburg and William Hurt. I know that I am in the absolute minority on that one but I actually love it more than the one with Dalton. Have no idea why... It was the first "Jane Eyre" I ever saw. Love the music, the scenery, Charlotte as Jane is perfect. Hurt's Rochester is probably not exactly how he is described in the book but he did capture some moments right... Like him anyway.

Also like the secondary characters best in this film, esp. Mrs Fairfax and Adele. The '83 and '06 versions got Adele completely wrong. The childhood portions are the best in the Zeffirelli version, as well, in my opinion, with Anna Paquin, Amanda Root and Geraldine Chaplin. A very touching rendition of Jane's childhood. The 2006 version barely showed it and Georgie Henley didn't make a good young Jane. She is too robust, healthy and happy. In the 1983 version, it's all a bit too stagey and wooden (the childhood portions).

Mmm, and another favourite is "Wuthering heights" with Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche. Aah, the atmosphere, the music!   It's perfect.

[leaf]

And "Cranford" was quite fabulous!

I feel like I'm the only person in the world who didn't like Cranford. Nothing terribly interesting happens other than characters dropping dead constantly and new people coming and there was no emotional pay off. Heidi Thomas is one of my favourite television screenwriters, but I didn't even bother watching the second series. I feel the same way about Larkrise to Candleford. Maybe I just don't like 19th century rural dramas.

A series I've enjoyed recently is Garrow's Law with Andrew Buchan (who was in Candleford), despite my not usually caring for things set in the 18th century (yes, I have favourite time periods in British history). I also really liked The Crimson Petal and the White, which stars the always fabulous Romola Garai.

[starrysky]

I feel like I'm the only person in the world who didn't like Cranford. Nothing terribly interesting happens other than characters dropping dead constantly and new people coming and there was no emotional pay off.

I'm sure there are others.  Or there would be, but the majority of those people who might dislike it probably don't usually watch period dramas at all. I think it's the charm of the book and the adaptation that all that ever happens are these petty worries (turned into huge dramas  ) about the cat that swallowed some precious lace or the "robbers" scare, sprinkled with touching moments here and there. I liked all the humorous bits, the actors, and the scenery/sets. The only thing I had a problem with was the last tragic episode with the amputation. Felt really bad watching it... I'm kind of extremely sensitive to such things. Because of this I actually didn't watch Cranford again though liked it so much otherwise. Think I'll just use the FF button on this bit when I get down to re-watching it... 

[old_saratoga_guy]

Then "Pride and Prejudice" (1995), of course, that's a classic...

and absolutely unbelievable on blu-ray.

[Deewani_Aurat]

and absolutely unbelievable on blu-ray.

It's on bluray!

You totally made my day! ...now all i have to do is buy a bluray player. 

I keep getting excited over movies or tv shows being on bluray but I have to keep reminding myself that i don't actually own a bluray player 

[filmcrazy]

Jane Eyre (2011) is a good movie. It focuses on the gothic elements a lot more which makes it rather dark and melacholic. The romance is not sacrificed and is still the heart of the film. I wish some more of the scenes between Rochester and Jane had been included but there is enough to show how intense and passionate thier relationship is in the book. The narrative structure and pace adds freshness to the story. Mia Farrow, Micheal Fassbender and Judi Dench are awesome as always. The music is amazing too! Definitely worth a watch! 

[leaf]

Lilies - I've recommended this show here before, but I'm doing it again because I so desperately want more people to see this gem and because I just found this article that captures my feelings so well. I still mourn the lack of second series for this. But all the episodes are on youtube.

Cancelled too soon: Lilies
Wednesday, 9th February 2011
Lois Cameron

“But as I stand here and I look at my firstborn with her sisters, I weep not for the bulbs that did not bloom. For I can look at my daughters and say, ‘These are my lilies.’”

For eight short, beautiful weeks early in 2007, a unique, touching and engaging period drama graced our screens. Lilies tells the story of a working class family living in Liverpool following the First World War, as they overcome great losses and attempt forge new lives for themselves while holding onto each other and the values they hold dear.

The lilies of the title are the daughters of the Moss family. The eldest is quiet Iris (Catherine Tyldesley), who struggles to balance caring for the family with her devotion to her Catholic faith. Next comes May (Leanne Rowe) whose work as a maid in a big house allows her some distance and perspective on family matters, but she also finds herself seduced by the glamorous lifestyle she sees there. Finally there is Ruby (Kerrie Hayes), the youngest and most fiery of the daughters, who longs for things to return to how they were before the war. Rounding off the children is Billy (Daniel Rigby), whose experiences as a sailor in the war, which caused him to be invalided out with nerves, continue to haunt him. At the head of the family is Dadda (Brian McCardie), a passionate Northern Irish man with a gilded tongue and a horrible violent streak.

The fact that, unlike many period dramas, Lilies isn’t based on a famous book works to its advantage, as you never know quite what’s going to happen next. Screenwriter Heidi Thomas breathes real life into these characters: as the storylines develop, the twists and turns are often surprising, but the behaviour and reactions of the various members of the Moss family never feel false or out of character. At the same time, these are people that you want to spend time with, as they’re funny, smart and charming, which is exactly what you’d expect from the woman who would later bring the delightful Cranford to our screens. The script deftly walks the line between accuracy and lyricism: Dadda in particular has a magnificent way with words, and some of his speeches are absolute poetry.

The whole series looks lovely without ever sanitising this world, and the score is simple but beautiful: the repeated refrain that occurs around Iris and Father Melia is particularly memorable. But what makes the whole thing sing is the acting. Tyldesley, Rowe and Hayes are believable as sisters without being clones of each other, while Rigby (who was so good recently in Eric and Ernie) works as both a supporting and main character when required. Of the supporting cast, Thomas writes Father Melia as a young man caught between the church and serving his community, and Scot Williams brings real humanity to the role. But the stand-out performance is Brian McCardie as Dadda: the character could so easily be an unlikeable caricature, but McCardie brings such charisma and spirit to the role that he’s compelling even during his most appalling behaviour.

Despite its poor time slot, over the eight weeks Lilies garnered a sizeable and loyal fan base, and the creators of the programme were keen to make another series, but inexplicably the BBC declined. Four years later, it’s a decision that I can’t fathom, and one that still makes me angrier than is entirely rational. But then that's because this was a special series. At times heartbreaking, at times brutal, but never anything less than compelling: to slightly mangle the words of Father Melia, Lilies is one of the finest programmes I have ever known, and I will always remember it with joy.
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:http://www.theyorker.co.uk/news/tv/6434

[Ms. Chandni]

Netflix has it too, so I've just added it to my queue. Thanks for the rec, Leaf.

[starrysky]

Thanks for the recommendation, leaf. I've found I can actually download this series from a local p2p... Will watch it as soon as I've got a bit of a breather from work.

[pahar ka gulab]

Have just seen the new Jane Eyre movie. Liked it quite a lot, but the BBC series stays my favorite. And again they have cast Mr. Rochester too handsome! I thought they got the basic stuff right and the overall atmosphere is nicely gothic. But I kind of resented how they surgically removed or casually underplayed all the "romantic" novel elements like the lost and found element with the Rivers family, the spooky scene of the burned wedding veil and the eerie connection that makes Jane hear Rochester calling out for her just in time and the gypsy episode. And like in all modern JE adaptions, they neglected to flesh out St. John as the antipode to Rochester. For the logic of the story I think it's important that people see how good a person he is along moral standards, as Rochester is wicked and nonchalant towards morals. This makes the importance of the warm against the cold heart the more poignant.

[Honeycomb]

I also love "Persuasion" with Sally Hawkins. It's a very lyrical, poignant sort of movie. The music is touching and I loved Sally as Anne. Rupert Penry-Jones's handsomeness did not hurt either.  

Ooh, I did NOT like that one at all. Casting was all kinds of wrong.. Especially after the 1995 "Persuasion", which was as close to perfection as you can get.  Ciaran Hinds is the ultimate Captain Wentworth for me.  It's just like Colin Firth is and always will be the ultimate Darcy. 

[elizabethbennet]

Ciaran Hinds is the ultimate Captain Wentworth for me.  It's just like Colin Firth is and always will be the ultimate Darcy.

I completely agree on both. Ciaran Hinds was so good (and that version of Persuasion was so much better - I actually watched it to cleanse my palate right after I have watched the newer version, not that it was so bad but it just was not as good.

 

[starrysky]

I haven't seen the older version with Ciaran Hinds, so maybe that's why I enjoyed the new one ok, since I didn't have to compare it to anything... I sort of merely liked it ok the first time round but then I watched it again and it really grew on me -- almost to the point of a slight, couple-of-days-long obsession.   I downloaded the older version several weeks ago... hopefully will get around to watching it soon...

Now, with "Sense and sensibility", I didn't like the 2008 version. Just about everyone seemed wrong there, except David Morrissey... But I know a lot of people like this series. But I couldn't help comparing it with Emma Thompson's version and the latter came out a winner in all aspects. Though the scenery is beautiful in the new version. And I do enjoy it ok... watched it a couple of times. If only my dvd didn't have "sexual melodrama from the life of noble English families" written on the back.  

Have just seen the new Jane Eyre movie. Liked it quite a lot, but the BBC series stays my favorite. And again they have cast Mr. Rochester too handsome! I thought they got the basic stuff right and the overall atmosphere is nicely gothic. But I kind of resented how they surgically removed or casually underplayed all the "romantic" novel elements like the lost and found element with the Rivers family, the spooky scene of the burned wedding veil and the eerie connection that makes Jane hear Rochester calling out for her just in time and the gypsy episode. And like in all modern JE adaptions, they neglected to flesh out St. John as the antipode to Rochester. For the logic of the story I think it's important that people see how good a person he is along moral standards, as Rochester is wicked and nonchalant towards morals. This makes the importance of the warm against the cold heart the more poignant.

I'm still undecided whether to watch it or not... all reviews are rather lukewarm. I guess I'll have to, one day...  

[elizabethbennet]

If only my dvd didn't have "sexual melodrama from the life of noble English families" written on the back. 

That is hillarious - probably written right after watching the first scene (and skipping the rest)

I suprisingly liked this version more than I thought I would (I'm in love with Ang Lee version) some of the scenes were exact copies of it but I have found enough difference to entertain me and I did like how they added additional scenes which were not in the novel. Also I liked that Willoughby is more exposed as the villain he is in this one. He got off very lightly in the Ang Lee version.  I'll complain is the performance of the actor who played Marrianne, since she was the worst Marianne I have seen on screen. Kate Winslet and Aishwarya Rai both did so well with the part.

[pahar ka gulab]

I'm still undecided whether to watch it or not... all reviews are rather lukewarm. I guess I'll have to, one day...  

I think it's worth a watch by all accounts. It gets a lot of things right, especially the atmosphere and the main characters. It's not my favorite, but it can hold it's own among the very good adaptations that already exist. It's not an awful Hollyowoodish rehash like that ghastly P&P adabtation with Keira K. (whom I like, btw.).

I really didn't like the Sally Hawkins version of Persuasion. Not because of the casting which I found pretty good, but I hated the shoddy, shuffling camerawork. Somehow handheld constantly moving camerawork doesn't fit a time when it was all about poise and dignity. This ruined the whole experience for me. (and as much as I love Ciran Hinds, I thought Rupert P-J was a delicious Wentworth!)

[filmcrazy]

I watched The Pale Horse recently which is part of the Miss Marple series starring Julie McKenzie. Must say this is one freakish and scary adaptation. I don't think I felt this scared watching a murder mystery before. McKenzie is a wonderful Marple who manages to capture some of Hickson's style while retaining McEwan's warmth and likeable nature. She is just so comforting to watch. I love watching this series while I have a hot cup of cocoa! 

[prahajess]

Ok, I'm always late to the party..
Watched the first two of Downton Abbey and LOVED it. I realize it's not an adaptation... Can I just say that Julian Fellowes is officially one of my favorite writers? Gosfard Park is in my top 10, and only gets better on rewatch. I think DA will be like that. I want Maggie Smith to be my BFF.

[rubicon]

Ok, I'm always late to the party..
Watched the first two of Downton Abbey and LOVED it. I realize it's not an adaptation... Can I just say that Julian Fellowes is officially one of my favorite writers? Gosfard Park is in my top 10, and only gets better on rewatch. I think DA will be like that. I want Maggie Smith to be my BFF.

I don't want to spoil the show for you, but the second season is pretty weak. I'd recommend lowering your expectations a bit. Totally agree about Maggie, though; she's pretty awesome.

[Honeycomb]

I don't want to spoil the show for you, but the second season is pretty weak. I'd recommend lowering your expectations a bit. Totally agree about Maggie, though; she's pretty awesome.

Say it ain't so!!!!! I'm even more curious now, though...
Well, I guess I'll have to console myself with looking at the beautiful hats.

[rubicon]

Say it ain't so!!!!! I'm even more curious now, though...
Well, I guess I'll have to console myself with looking at the beautiful hats.

I'm pretty harsh when it comes to these things, so I realize my tastes aren't necessarily indicative of the majority. But from the reviews I've read*, there seems to be a general disappointment with the way the second season has turned out. Fellowes' has resorted to using as many cliches as possible. It's gotten to the point where it's hard for me to take the show seriously.

*Link contains major spoilers.

[prahajess]

Oh, that's too bad. I will be watching the next part this week, so we'll see. But I will probably be kept mostly happy just by obsessing about the intricacies and culture of the servants. I find that stuff  inexplicably fascinating.