Pillars Of The Earth - 2nd ep

[stu1883]

Hi Everyone,

Well, we all have had a good old chat about the book - some love it, some hate it, is the historical content and accuracy good or bad..blah blah.

Anyway, I have to say I LOVE the adaptation by the Scott Brothers. The characters are believable (all except Sarah Parish as Regan Hamleigh) and the story is closely followed to KF's story.

I am so glad it has been brought to life and I hope it inspires people to read more historical fiction in the way the book hooked me many years ago. Without reading that dog-eared, torn charity shop reject book I may never have discovered wonderful writers like Elizabeth Chadwick, Helen Hollick and the other amazing people I have been privileged to read.

BUT - Regan Hamleigh as portrayed but Sarah Parish is not right; she is not an incestuous, sexual predator but an ugly, driven and evil minded tyrant who rules her husband and son like a dictator. I know TV has its quirks but this part really does annoy me.

Rufus Sewell is brilliant as Tom Builder - his accent is spot on and he has the quiet authority, assertive but gentle manner of the character brilliantly captured.

Waleran and Ian Mcshane go together superbly and Matthew McFadyean as Phillip seems to be a real piece of casting genius.

Superb production, can't wait til next weeks episode!! :)

[Amanda]

I agree about the part of Regan. Though I must say, that I do like Sarah Parish (Mistresses is a fantastic series), and I think that it was the writing (the incest bit wasn't in the book was it - I read it years ago), and the makeup that let her down.

[wendy]

I enjoyed the book and was somewhat disappointed by the first episode because it didn't seem to recreate the period as well as I had expected (the costumes looked too clean etc). But I have since seen the whole mini-series (it played in the US over summer) and it definitely gets better as it goes along!

[stu1883]

There are so many things that would not be correct - as there is in most (if not all) historical fiction films/TV series - that is the nature of the medium. Books give more in the form of how you can interpret, understand and describe things.

I have never known a book that is exactly transferred from page to screen, warts and all, be perfect or exact in everything.

All I know is that I am able to enjoy it - in the same way I enjoy the book - and look forward to 9pm next Saturday night for the next instalment!

[Perdita]

I'm enjoying this as well which is strange because I couldn't get into the book at all. The TV production is great fun though.. it's camp, overblown, and full of heroes and pantomime villains.

[Vanessa]

I just watched the last episode of this last night. I've thorough enjoyed the whole thing.

I did find it amusing how they aged them - Aliena was virtually the same, Jack grew a beard and Prior Phillip looked as if he'd had a very hard life! LOL.

[Perdita]

I just watched the last episode of this last night. I've thorough enjoyed the whole thing.

I did find it amusing how they aged them - Aliena was virtually the same, Jack grew a beard and Prior Phillip looked as if he'd had a very hard life! LOL.

Yes, Prior Philip did look a bit ropey at the end! :D

[Madeleine]

Watched the last part last night and loved it, I got quite caught up in it all! The ending was a bit cheesy though, I love it when they age an actor by plonking an unconvincing wig on their head! Thoroughly enjoyed it apart from that, and glad to see a happy ending - finally.

[Alisha Marie Klapheke]

I do not have HBO and so was unable to watch the series (US) over the summer. HBO did attempt to lure me in drug dealer style. For no cost, they posted the first two episodes and then invited me to join the online HBO deal to view the remaining episodes. Argh. I suppose I can get the DVDs at some point, right? I loved the episodes I saw. I agree that Rufus Sewell is perfect for the part. Even though I strongly prefer books (my imagination kicks TV's tail), it is fun to see another person's vision of a favorite novel.

[Vanessa]

I think the DVD is out now. It's going on my Christmas list!

[Alisha Marie Klapheke]

Thanks, Vanessa. It's on my now too!