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BBC period dramas
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Mod
I am not for this a proper list person, as I love almost all the series I have seen but one - imho horrible modern BBC adaptation of Mansfield Park, with Billie Piper. Seen that one? I would like to know your opinion of it.
I might make a list later though :-)
By the way, I would like to give a proper boost to your thread - would you like that a book of this month after Never Let Me Go be a book of your choice of Period Dramas? There wasn't much of activity in the March 2012 Monthly Read nominations thread, so I do not think many would mind your choice. It would also be highly appropriate :-)
I've seen the Billie Piper Mansfield Park and it definitely won't be on my favorites list.Oh, wow....my choice? I'm honored :D
My favorite PD:
1.Pride and Prejudice (BBC 1995), I can't even say how many times I've watched this TV series. I've seen the Keira Knightley version but it wasn't as good as the 1995 TV series.
2.North & South, Richard Armitage was great. I really want to read the book. I have a copy on my bookshelf but I still haven't read it.
I also liked:
Tess of the D'Urbervilles, I really liked Gemma Arterton as Tess.
Lorna Doone, I remember liking this the first time I watched it, but every time Richard Coyle was on the screen I would start laughing because I keept thinking about Jeff from "Coupling". That kind of ruined it for me.
Sense & Sensibility 2008 with Hattie Morahan as Elinor and Charity Wakefield as Marianne. I've seen the Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet and Hugh Grant version, but I liked the TV series better.
The Tudors, I loved the first two seasons, I've yet to see the third and fourth season.
I still haven't seen:
Jane Eyre (2011), I've seen the 2006 TV mini-series, but I've heard the 2011 version is great.
The Turn of the Screw (2009)
Birdsong
OK, so since one of my favorite period dramas is North & South maybe we could start with
, or since I really want to read 
, that would be great too.You choose between these two....OK?
Mod
The choice is difficult. I've read North and South and loved it immensely - if that would make you to read the book, then it certainly should be a book of the month :-D But I haven't read The Turn of the Screw, would love to, it is definitely shorter, but the reviews are mixed, there are many complaints for James' over-the-board verbosity. That even intrigues me, but probably wouldn't be fun as much as North and South. So you see, it's not fair that I choose.
If you are not sure, maybe I should put a poll? We can include also Birdsong: A Novel of Love and War, Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Tess of the D'Urbervilles, Jane Eyre and Lorna Doone: A Romance of Exmoor as they are among your likes and wants?
The first Monthly Read was an experimental one, I won't complicate so much anymore. At least I hope so ;-)
I started reading both "North and South" and "The Turn of the Screw" last year but I didn't finish either of them. Sometimes I kind of have a problem with finishing books. Most of the time it's because I find the book badly written, but sometimes it's because I feel like I'm not in the right frame of mind to read that particular book and I feel that it would be a shame to read it superficially (just for the sake of finishing it), so in those cases I "wait" to be in the right frame of mind (I hope you know what I mean).
Both with "North and South" and "The Turn of the Screw" I could see that they would be something I was going to love, but at that moment I just wasn't ready for them. I think I read about 20-30% of both books.
I have the originals (not the translations) and I can say I find Elizabeth Gaskell's writing very fluent and quite easy to read for a non native english speaker (considering the fact that it was written in 19th century....I didn't have as much luck with Jane Austen's books).
"The Turn of the Screw" is not as big as "North and South" but I didn't find Henry James's writing as fluent as Gaskell's, although it did seem like a really interesting book. I wouldn't say that his verbosity is over-the-board, but it's really close :D
Personally at this moment I think that "The Turn of the Screw" would be a better choice since it's shorter and this group is just starting.
But since there are other members in this group (I mean there are not very verbal at the moment....hopefully they will be;D) a poll is a smart and a considerate idea.
So I think you should put it up to a vote and then invite each member to vote.
Mod
I've given some thought of the period dramas I like the most. It's terribly hard to choose, as each of them has something unique, worth seeing over and over again. For an example, I've seen every Jane Eyre movie/series (but that one made 2006, which I have, but I didn't find a time to see yet), and I even do not like Jane Eyre, at least not the way I like the other novels of that time!
Ok, I'll pick only ten of my favourites among period movies/series:
1. North & South
2. Middlemarch
3. Pride & Prejudice
4. Daniel Deronda
5. A Christmas Carol (ok, not romantic title, but love it, this version the most)
6. The Woodlanders
7. A Room with a View
8. Nicholas Nickleby
9. Persuasion
10. The Four Feathers
Ha! North and South is on the top of your list too.There are some adaptations on your list that I still haven't seen (or even heard of), so thanks for that :D
Mod
Yes, love North and South very very much! Imho the book is even better :-)
Interesting how it doesn't matter how many adaptations of the same book exist - I never tire of them. Earlier I mentioned Jane Eyre, same goes with every historical novel I've read and seen on the big screen.
Have you seen the series Lost in Austen? It's blasphemous what they have done to the original, yet I found it adorable. What do you think?
Sorry, I just saw your post.No, I haven't seen it.
I would like a really good adaptation of some of Georgette Heyer's books, like
I haven't read any of her books yet but I heard they were good and seeing those TV series (especially if the are the BBC production) might be interesting.
Mod
I heard about Georgette Heyer too, I also haven't read any of her novels, but she seems quite popular indeed. And yeah it would be interesting to see the adaptations and to read the books too :-)
Now that reminded me of the author that was active about the same time - Catherine Cookson. Have you seen any adaptation of her works? I've personally seen
,
and
.That was long time ago though - I wouldn't be able to retell any of them if asked - but I remember I liked them when they were on telly.
Sorry, seeing this thread after the fact, but I stumbled across a book called Tudors the other day, and I was wondering, the Tudors series you mentioned (which I'm halfway through the third season but just can't seem to finish it because it's gotten so ridiculous), is it based on a book, or just the producer's interpretation of the time period? If it's a book, I would find that interesting. I've wanted to read and watch North & South for quite some time as well, but haven't found the time to do it.
Period dramas *squeals in delight* where do I begin...... Ivana post that kiss above, boy that was the best period drama kiss I've seen. I was basically shouting yes, yes, yes. I've never wanted a period drama couple to submit to each other like Richard and Margaret. I want to read the book, so much. I've seen most of the adaptions for Jane Austens novels, my favourite version which is also my favourite movie is Pride and Prejudice (2005). The most horrible one I've seen is Lost in Austen (goodness gracious). I personally believe that no director has to follow the exact script of any novel but that was taking it a bit far.
I like Jane Eyre. I've seen two versions, don't ask me the year or actors. I describe them as the old version and the new version. If my memory serve me well, I would lean towards the old version.
I've watch a few episodes of Little Dorrit and enjoyed very much. I should have search to see the ending.
I like Lorna Dorne one time. There is that cute guy in there.
I also like Under the Greenwood Tree. I really like the theme song for that movie.
I've seen A room with A View. It is not one of my favourites but it was ok.
I like The Duchess very much. I cannot believe she had to except her husband's mistress under the same room!
I like Becoming Jane very much. Come on, you love Tom Lefroy and Jane too :D. Sad that they could not be together even if they loved each other.
I like The Young Victoria. Victoria was strong will and I admire the love between her and her husband.
I also like Austen Regrets. It wasn't that bad compared to Lost In Austen
I like Lady Jane Grey, the one with Helena Carter. Speaking of Helena, she has that delightful film called A Hazard of Hearts. Very enjoyment. I can't stand Lord Wrotham, urgghh!
Oh I love Downton Abbey. You get hook on that series, whether the drama is downstairs or upstairs. I really like Mr. Bates such a gentlemen but with a temper. I also like Cybil and her grandmama (her sarcasm is great)
There are so many more.....
Zeljka wrote: "Ok, I'll put up a poll :-)I've given some thought of the period dramas I like the most. It's terribly hard to choose, as each of them has something unique, worth seeing over and over again. For a..."
Have you read Middle March? I prefered the series over the book. I didnt understand the book until I watched it!
Mod
Oh I loved the book! At first it was difficult to break through so educated flow of her thoughts, but after two chapters, I was totally immersed. The series was perfect! Rufus Sewell especially ;) When I heard that they plan to make the movie - Andrew Davies as screenwriter and Sam Mendes as director - I was a bit suspicious, could they make it better... But it seems they gave up the idea, for now at least. Pity, maybe it would be interesting to see new Will Ladislaw...
Zeljka wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Have you read Middle March? I prefered the series over the book. I didnt understand the book until I watched it!"Oh I loved the book! At first it was difficult to break through so ed..."
I think for me that the author was too rambling. I found myself saying blah blah blah while reading. Her being a poet may have something to do with it. I have a problem with most poetry. I just don't get it!
Even so it is a book I would recommend to read.
Middlemarch was tough going the first hundred or so pages but so worth it! I adored that mini-series too. No one will ever be Will Ladislaw to me except Rufus Sewell. Ever!P.S., I have been given permission to tout a petition to bring Georgette Heyer's novels to film. It's a crime she hasn't already been adapted to death like Austen! Please repost/tweet/whatever. :)
http://www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions...
I just watched Portrait of a Marriage, made in 1990. It's based on the book by Nigel Nicholson about his parents' (Vita SackvilleWest and Harold N.) open marriage, both of whom had same-sex affairs. Except for the wonderfully daring and hot lesbian scenes, the movie was not only overly melodramatic, but took just one part of their lives together--Vita's affair with Violet Trefussis--and ignored the entire rest of the book. It's a long time since I read it, but I remember it as a paean to open marriage and friendship between spouses.
Lisa wrote: "My favorite is The Forsyte Saga (2002)http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0260615/"
Have you seen the last series, from 2003 I think? I can't find it anywhere on the internet and can't seem to find it in stores either. I live in a small country. :( I read the first book, but I kinda liked the movies more.
In the case of North and South, I preferred the book, the movie had a gloomy atmosphere I couldn't quite enjoy, but I'm not saying it wasn't good, cause it was!
I also started Wived and Daughters, but I stopped reading it for the moment, not because I didn't like it, but I already knew what was happening (saw the movie and it was great!), will read it ASAP.
I also love both the Jane Eyre movie (the BBC adaptation), and the book!
As for Jane Austen movies, I adored Northanger Abbey book and movie and Emma movie (with Romola Garai) and book, but I preferred the movies in the case of Sense and Sensibility (the one with Kate Winslet is amazing!) and Pride and Prejudice (only saw the Keira Knightley one). And I am a big fan of Becoming Jane. :D
Another movie I liked a lil bit more than the book is The Tenant of the Wildfell Hall. Really good movie, I suggest it to every period drama fan.
A Room with a View is a story I enjoyed both on screen and in words. Both the book and the movie are true masterpieces.
Oh, and I was about to forget: The Woman in White. Loved the movie, loved the book.
Recent historical dramas I have enjoyed are:- 1. Poldark 2015 series (I remember a sense of enjoying the orginal series with Ross ?)
2. Banished 2015 series
3. Belle 2015 film
4. White Queen
5. I am really enjoying reading and watching alternately 'Outlander'
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Remember how you felt the first time you saw Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy?
Or the first time you saw Richard Armitage as John Thornton in North and South?
What about when John Thornton and Margaret Hale finaly kiss?
*sigh*
Want to talk about it?
Yes?
Well then this is the place for you.
It would be wonderful if you could make a list of your favorite period dramas, and if you heard about a new production that's currently in the making it would be nice if you could tell us about it.
Please put links to the period drama you're talking about whenever possible.
P.S. The period drama doesn't have to be the BBC production. I'm sure that there are great dramas that are not produced by the BBC, so feel free to tell us all about those productions too.