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The Pillars of the Earth on Starz

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LoveHistory
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Post by LoveHistory » Tue July 27th, 2010, 5:05 pm

[quote=""SGM""]I am going to have to go back and watch Charles II again. I gave up when it was on TV because I thought it was so bad (and it is my period of history, too). Maybe I was wrong. As far as Rufus is concerned, I have never forgiven him for murdering my favourite play (the Scottish one) on stage. Hence, I am not sure he can act. I would mention that I am also not sure about Robert Redford but have come to the conclusion that with him I don't care....but with Rufus, I do. Although I seem to remember not minding him in Middlemarch many moons ago which was about the time I got fed up with the BBC's choices for the classics. I really really want them (or Kenneth) to do a production of 'Tis Pity but I don't think that is going to happen.[/quote]

He was wonderful in A Knight's Tale.

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cw gortner
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Post by cw gortner » Tue July 27th, 2010, 5:07 pm

[quote=""Tanzanite""]I think the girl they cast is Matilda is to sweet looking with a bit of a baby face - I can't really see her as an arrogant, haughty woman.[/quote]

I thought that, too. She's very Linda Blair-ish. However, when it comes to casting, who knows what they think? The choice for Jane Seymour in The Tudors was bizarre, too: she looked like Cinderella Barbie!

Speaking of which, I actually miss The Tudors and Rhys-Meyers' scowl. It was my Sunday night gown fest!
And TruBlood this season is just too bloody - no pun intended - to the point of ugh.
Last edited by cw gortner on Tue July 27th, 2010, 5:10 pm, edited 2 times in total.
THE QUEEN'S VOW available on June 12, 2012!
THE TUDOR SECRET, Book I in the Elizabeth I Spymaster Chronicles
THE CONFESSIONS OF CATHERINE DE MEDICI
THE LAST QUEEN


www.cwgortner.com

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cw gortner
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Post by cw gortner » Tue July 27th, 2010, 5:11 pm

[quote=""LoveHistory""]He was wonderful in A Knight's Tale.[/quote]

And Dangerous Beauty - between him and Jacqueline Bisett swallowing the asparagus stalk, you just wanted to swoon. :p
THE QUEEN'S VOW available on June 12, 2012!
THE TUDOR SECRET, Book I in the Elizabeth I Spymaster Chronicles
THE CONFESSIONS OF CATHERINE DE MEDICI
THE LAST QUEEN


www.cwgortner.com

chuck
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Charles II

Post by chuck » Tue July 27th, 2010, 5:49 pm

[quote=""SGM""]I am going to have to go back and watch Charles II again. I gave up when it was on TV because I thought it was so bad (and it is my period of history, too). Maybe I was wrong. As far as Rufus is concerned, I have never forgiven him for murdering my favourite play (the Scottish one) on stage. Hence, I am not sure he can act. I would mention that I am also not sure about Robert Redford but have come to the conclusion that with him I don't care....but with Rufus, I do. Although I seem to remember not minding him in Middlemarch many moons ago which was about the time I got fed up with the BBC's choices for the classics. I really really want them (or Kenneth) to do a production of 'Tis Pity but I don't think that is going to happen.[/quote]

In the 1995 film "Restoration"....Sam Neill is quite good as Chas.II ....
A handsome looking film, terrific sets and costumes...It could have been better....A bit choppy at times...based on the 1989 novel"Restoration" by Rose Tremaine.....
Last edited by chuck on Wed July 28th, 2010, 1:25 pm, edited 1 time in total.

SGM
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Post by SGM » Tue July 27th, 2010, 5:55 pm

Yes and has the advantage of having Robert Downie Jr in it -- not a bad actor (Sherlock notwithstanding). I understand he took badly to Hugh Grant in it and that I can understand too. Unfortunately, I am not fond of Sam Neil. I liked the book.

Actually, I liked John Malkovich as CII in the Libertine although he reminded me very much of George Sanders (including the voice) doing the same role in Forever Amber which I must have seen again recently to have spotted the similiarity. Or maybe I just always remember his voice because of Shere Khan.
Last edited by SGM on Tue July 27th, 2010, 6:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Currently reading - Emergence of a Nation State by Alan Smith

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Brenna
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Post by Brenna » Tue July 27th, 2010, 10:38 pm

I hadn't read the novel and even though I know the era quite well, I found myself confused. Mr. Follet seems to have gotten some of the major facts wrong. Otherwise, I think the series got off to a good start, if a bit slow. I don't have Starz but my father-in-law does and has offered to record it for me :-) We will see how long I stick with it.
Brenna

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nona
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Post by nona » Tue July 27th, 2010, 10:46 pm

[quote=""LoveHistory""]He was wonderful in A Knight's Tale.[/quote]

I second that!,,,,, you have been weighed,,,you have been measured...and you have been found wanting (or something like that :}

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Post by EC2 » Tue July 27th, 2010, 11:18 pm

[quote=""cw gortner""]Scary how much I don't remember about the book! Leo mentioned the conflict wasn't as upfront or black and white, but I'd never have known otherwise. Guess Pillars is due for a second read, though I don't think I'll ever get around to actually doing it :D
Oh, well. That's what mini-series are for.[/quote]

Trust me C.W. you don't want to. I thought it was okay-ish the first time around. Then I read it for a group read 10 years later and :eek: :eek: I expect I'd have a similar response if I tried to read Kathleen Woodiwiss now when I couldn't keep away from her novels in my late teens.
Les proz e les vassals
Souvent entre piez de chevals
Kar ja li coard n’I chasront

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Are always to be found between the hooves of horses
For never will cowards fall down there.'

Histoire de Guillaume le Mareschal

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Post by Ash » Wed July 28th, 2010, 2:40 pm

Mr. Follet seems to have gotten some of the major facts wrong.

In that case, it looks as tho this series is keeping close to the book.... :)

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Ludmilla
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Post by Ludmilla » Wed July 28th, 2010, 2:57 pm

[quote=""cw gortner""]
And it's uncanny how much he resembles the portrait of Richard III.[/quote]

Outing myself as a Rufus fan... He has a bone structure that lends itself well to playing these aristocratic, historical figures. I also thought he looked quite like an Austrian crown prince in The Illusionist. I do wish he'd play good guys more often, though. Like Sean Bean, he's frequently cast as a bad guy or antagonist. Does anyone remember him in the atmospheric, noirish SF film, Dark City? Loved that one as well.

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