Gormenghast BBC series

[GnomeoftheWest]

Re:Gormenghast

Started the trilogy. Didn't get very far. If I remember correctly, I found it way too descriptive. Started it right after LOTR and I guess it didn't measure up.

 

[Brian G Turner]

Re:Gormenghast

Ah, have they been repeating the adaptation? It looked interesting - only saw a little, but somehow a little too close to being "The Count of Monte Cristo" in a fairy-tale/fantasy setting.

 

[Amidala]

Re:Gormenghast

Have you read the book? I've been meaning to but haven't yet been able to find a second-hand copy or one at a library.

No I just bought the videos last week I hope to though ;D

Started the trilogy. Didn't get very far. If I remember correctly, I found it way too descriptive. Started it right after LOTR and I guess it didn't measure up.

*sobs*
I am reading ROTK right now...I wanted to read Gormenghast right after! :'(

Ah, have they been repeating the adaptation? It looked interesting - only saw a little, but somehow a little too close to being "The Count of Monte Cristo" in a fairy-tale/fantasy setting.

No they haven't I love it just thought I would bring it up and hopefully people wouldnt reply with gormenwhat!

-apologies for the sad teen imput in advance-
Mr.Steerpike is fine!!!

 

[Brian G Turner]

Re:Gormenghast

Hey, it was a pretty adaptation! It's simply that it takes a lot to keep me downstairs watching TV, rather than upstairs on the PC.

 

[mac1]

Re:Gormenghast

When did it actually air? I remember watching it on the BBC a few years back and enjoying it, but I can't recall two many details. I recall it being very dark and gothic, but quite vibrant and colourful at the same time, a strange mix pulled off quite effectively. Its yet another thing I need to get hold of to rewatch, I remember it airing roughly the same time as Channel 4's Merlin which I recently purchased on DVD. Anyone who missed that should check that out too.

 

[Brian G Turner]

Re:Gormenghast

It aired one Christmas, I believe. My fogged up memeory suggests it was within the past two years.

Merlin was Easter 1999, I think - because I was inspired to write a piece of music after watching it, the first notes of which have a date on my PC of 03/04/1999.

 

[Amidala]

Re: Gormenghast

I am still trying to figure out if steerpike ever loved fuscia...it never really confirmed whether he loved her or was using her

 

[dwndrgn]

Re: Gormenghast

I finally found book two but can't find the first one (Titus Groan) so I still haven't read it yet.

 

[Dead Riverdragon]

Re: Gormenghast

I found the entire trilogy in the second-hand bookshop my mum works in, therefore-for free, but I havn't got round to reading them yet (that Donaldson's a prolific and long-winded fella, so no time for aught else). The T.V special was very good though (even if Jonathon Rhys-Meyers seems stoned in every role he's played since), but it only covers the first book: with a little advertising the whole series could have warranted an airing, but I guess that was too much to ask )

 

[Amidala]

Re: Gormenghast

I found the entire trilogy in the second-hand bookshop my mum works in, therefore-for free, but I havn't got round to reading them yet (that Donaldson's a prolific and long-winded fella, so no time for aught else). The T.V special was very good though (even if Jonathon Rhys-Meyers seems stoned in every role he's played since), but it only covers the first book: with a little advertising the whole series could have warranted an airing, but I guess that was too much to ask )

Stoned ever since LMAO
I really do need to read them, I thought it covered it all...eep how strange
I must only have half the story then

 

[Lacedaemonian]

Re: Gormenghast

I have been meaning to read them, but if they are not that brilliant then I'll just download the series (I mean buy) and watch it.

 

[Devillishgirl]

Re: Gormenghast

Oddly enough I never realized the trilogy had been made into a series until I was at the library yesterday and saw the DVD. I had to rent it. I've only made it through the first episode and most of the second but so far I'm impressed. It does help though, that I love Jonathon Rhys Meyers.

 

[Brys]

I've just got this on DVD, and it's actually a lot better than I thought it would be. The acting's superb (not surprising given the excellent cast) and they manage to convey the plot very well. My only problems with it are that the setting isn't nearly dark enough.

Anyone else seen it?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/gormenghast/

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

I saw it when the series finally made its way to BBC-America a few years back. I felt they condensed the story too much, while at the same time spending too much time on characters I wouldn't have missed if they had cut them out -- but, yes, the cast was phenomenal, as well as the costuming and the sets. Even so, I agree that the setting wasn't dark enough. I would have preferred something more gothic and brooding, since I always pictured the castle as monstrous and terrible in its own right.

Jonathan Rhys-Meyers made a remarkable Steerpike -- I thought he really caught the chameleon-like quality that gives the character so much of his charm.

 

[Jack]

Gormenghast

Need some advice – Just finished reading Gormengast, and remembered that the BBC did a series on the book and it’s available on DVD, so was thinking of spending some money. My sis has the sci fi channels Dune and it was not too bad considering the budget and location – So avoid at all costs or what?

 

[j d worthington]

Re: Gormenghast

For my money... given the constrictions of the television format, and the fact they had a lot less time to develop things than Peake did in the novels... I thought they actually did a very, very good job. Certainly, they capture the feel of Gormenghast Castle very well... and the cast they had was excellent; they also show a great deal of respect for Peake's books, and for that blending of humor, pathos, horror, a Gothic sensibility, and the social commentary that he had throughout. They also showed the good sense to not try to adapt Titus Alone as a part of this... that one simply wouldn't work as part of the same dramatic adaptation... too much of a jolt with the change in mise en scène.

Let's put it this way... I was very leery of it when I saw they'd done it, and now I've seen it several times, and when it became available over here, I bought the darned thing..... It's not perfect, but it really is an admirable production....

 

[Nesacat]

Re: Gormenghast

I'll second that. They did a wonderful job with the material. They didn't try to be clever and they got the Gothic darkness down right. It's definitely worth the money. Admittedly I'm biased due to the cast list. A well done piece of work all round.

 

[Tillane]

Re: Gormenghast

I agree. The TV format was obviously going to be restrictive (unless they turned it into a 10-part epic), but the beeb did a pretty good job. It really is a quite astonishing cast; Christopher Lee is excellent as Flay, Richard Griffiths wonderfully vile as Swelter, Zoe Wanamaker and Lynsey Baxter frankly creepy as the twins...I could go on.

There are things I wish had been covered in more detail, and some of the characters aren't explored as much as I'd have liked (and Sourdust is entirely absent), but on the whole I thought the series was very, very good.

 

[j d worthington]

Re: Gormenghast

Yes, I think they felt (rightly) they had to eliminate Sourdust, given the format, and went instead with Barquentine throughout... and there they did a marvelous job, as well.... Neve McIntosh's performance as Fuchsia, though, remains among the best... she captures the character very well indeed... and that scene in the garden, with Lord Groan, is heartbreaking....

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

Re: Gormenghast

I'm going to be the one dissenting voice. I thought they condensed it far too much.

But I'll agree that the casting was exceptionally good. Jonathan Rhys Meyers was an incredible Steerpike