Wednesday jottings

A bits and pieces post today about snippets picked up which I thought might be of interest.

First up, and this bit of information thrilled me no end as I have been wondering if it would ever happen, is that the BBC is producing a new dramatisation of The Pallisers by Trollope.  I have the original series on DVD, made back in the 1970's and, while the sets and backdrops are pretty ropey now, the acting is still wonderful.  However,  a new series is long overdue and so will look forward to this with great interest.  I am attaching a link here with further information, from which you will see that the ubiquitous Andrew Davies is the chosen scriptwriter, so there will be plenty of heaving bosoms and hot flushes around I am sure.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/feb/07/bbc.television

Other piece of information spotted is that we are also to get a new Tess of the D'urbevilles, again for the BBC.  Do we really need one?  There have been at least two in the last ten years plus a film and it is one of Hardy's novels that can suffer from overkill.  I do wish the BBC would try some of his others, Trumpet Major has never been done to my knowledge and while that is a book I have not revisited since I had to read it at school, it would be good to see what could be made of it.

Another snippet - Dame Maggie Smith, who I adore only slightly less than Dame Judi (up for a BAFTA for Cranford) is due to begin work on Julian (Gosford Park) Fellowes' adaptation of Lucy M Boston's The Children of Green Knowe, the BBC version of which I well remember watching with my children when they were small and which, coincidentally was mentioned by Maureen from Random Distractions in a comment on my Goodnight Mr Tom post.  Amazing how often this happens.  That should be worth waiting for.

Have also read recently about the upcoming film of one of my favourite all time books, The Little White Horse (renamed The Mystery of Moonacre) which gives me pause to think.  The part of Sir Benjamin, who is large and round and bald has been given to Ioan Grufydd.  Now I adore Ioan and loved him in Hornblower, but he certainly is nowhere near the description of the character in the book.  The part of Monsieur Coq Noir has, however, been given to Tim Curry which is dream casting so they have got that totally right.  I do hear a whisper that the book is 'being gingered up a bit as let's face it, it is all a bit sweet and too much..."     Oh dear.

This weekend brings up the long awaited showing of the film of the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency and I had just finished reading an interview with Anthony Minghella on his thoughts and his plans for the series coming up, when I heard of his tragic death at the early age of 54.  I mentioned one of his films, Truly Madly Deeply just the other day, totally moving with its portrayal of the strength of love after death, and also remember the opening sequence of the English Patient and the ending, again one of those film moments that had me awash.  Last year I saw his production of Madame Butterfly at the ENO which was one of the best I have seen, and the loss to the world of film and theatre is immeasurable.

And, in closing, worth mentioning if anybody has missed it, BBC4 are showing a 1972 version of Emma on Saturday nights at the moment.  I remember seeing this when it was first shown, which is a bit lowering, but also remember that it was very good and Dorian Goodwin in the title role, was well nigh perfect, so was intrigued to see what I would make of this all these years later.  Well, I can report that it is still excellent, sets and costumes a bit dated by today's standards, but the acting good and the dialogue is nearly all Austen and delivered beautifully. 

So a treat indeed and I may very well purchase the set on DVD as, though I have the version with Kate Beckinsale and Gwyneth, I still think this is better.

Let's face it the only reason I have the Gwyneth one is because Jeremy Northam is Mr Knightly.  How shallow is that?

Comments

[Nicky Slade]

Ooooh, Jeremy Northam. Sigh. My favourite Austen hero played to utter, sublime perfection. And Juliet Stevenson as Mrs Elton was superb too, though a tad too pretty. I saw part of the Doran Godwin version the other day and although she was good, I didn't take to her Mr Knightley.
The hero of my new book is a Mr Knightley, solely so I could get some Austen jokes in, though as he says, his father would have been more of an age with Emma's Mr Knightley (it's set in 1858)

[Margaret Powling]

Ooh, we're all drooling at the very mention of Jeremy Northam. Wasn't he wonderful in the film of The Winslow Boy?
Wonderful news re The Pallisers!

[Ex Libris]

Glad to hear about the Pallisers! Maybe it will be shown in the US in about 5 years :) Something to look forward to!

[Ann Darnton]

I watch very little TV theses days, but a new serialisation of The Pallisers is definitely worth looking out for. And what a good excuse to re-read the novels.

[Maureen]

This all looks very encouraging, Elaine. I'm really looking forward to the No1 Ladies' film on Sunday and how exciting to hear about the Children of Green Knowe, I hope it lives up to the '80s version.

[Jill]

The news about a new version of the Palliser novels is exciting. I have a very real fondness for the older series. SO GOOD! (I don't exactly know what you mean when you call the sets and the backdrops as "ropey", but oh, it's such fun!)

[Mary]

Oh! I'm in cardiac arrest! I've just finished re-reading the Palliser series for about the fourth or fifth time with my online Trollope group. A new production is such terrific news.

But how could anyone do better than Susan Hampshire as Glencora?

md

[Elaine]

Jill - when I said ropey I meant that they were obviously backdrops and were really amateur looking compared to what we have now.

Mary - yes I know, Susan H was wonderful as Glencora, I will be awaiting the casting with great interest. Who will play Plantagenet I ask myself? I may spend an idle moment or two imagining a cast list. Surely Alan Rickman and Richard Armitage can sneak in there somewhere.....??

[Susan Balée]

I'm in Paris and not paying much attention to anything but food, wine, and interiors of cathedrals, but I was VERY sad to read A. Minghella had died. His "Truly, Madly, Deeply" introduced me to the charms of Alan Rickman and his adaptations of "The English Patient" and "The Talented Mr. Ripley" were perfect. His "Cold Mountain" was actually *better* than the novel, in
my humble opinion.

Jeez, but it's weird weather here. I left hub and son at Notre Dame (way, way, way too many people there for me) and walked back along the Seine, then up to the only post office open on Saturday afternoon (Rue du Louvre) and the sun was shining, though of course the air was pretty cold. Still, the trees are leafed out, and the forsythia, and pansies nod their bright heads in every bed. Got back to our hotel, looked out the window and suddenly it was absolutely POURING rain. That lasted fifteen minutes. Now it is sunny again. My boys are going to come back looking like drenched cats.....

[Elaine]

Susan - I assure you the weather is just as weird here with snow and sleet and then clear blue skies and sunshine. Completely potty for Easter. Glad you are having a good time in Paris and fancy checking blogs while you are there too! I am honoured

[Gert]

Children of Greene Knowe? Fabulous. I didn't see it on the TV,but I loved the book for its ethereal other-worldliness