The Pillars of the Earth on Starz

LoveHistory · 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.

cw gortner · 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.

cw gortner · 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.

chuck · 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.....

SGM · 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.

Brenna · 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.

nona · 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 :}

EC2 · 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

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

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.

Ash · 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....

Ludmilla · 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.