OMF, Book 1, General Thoughts

[Bionic Jean]

Ah, so this is where the punctuation discussion started up LOL! And despite all Everyman's valiant attempts to take it to the proper place, here you all are still! Anyone would think that Dickens aficionados had a bit of the rebel about them, like the Inimitable himself ... ;)

Sorry, I am not quite up to this part yet, but will read the thread through properly when I am :)

[Tristram]

John wrote: "Ami wrote: "John wrote: "Ami wrote: "Peter wrote: "Ami wrote: "John wrote: "Peter wrote: "Ami wrote: "I have both liked and disliked Book 1 equally, the narrative has me sitting at the intersection..."

I also like reading different kinds of books simultaneously, John! There's at least one non-fictional book and two fictional books on my currently-reading list because you never know what mood you're in.

[John]

Tristram wrote: "John wrote: "Ami wrote: "John wrote: "Ami wrote: "Peter wrote: "Ami wrote: "John wrote: "Peter wrote: "Ami wrote: "I have both liked and disliked Book 1 equally, the narrative has me sitting at the..."

Ah yes, my general mix of books has been baseball, poetry, and Charles Dickens (at least lately).

[Kim]

Mine, the Bible, Dickens, some other old fiction book, and, of course, a Christmas book of some kind. Right now I'm reading the biography of the man who first started my wonderful "Bronner's Christmas Wonderland". :-)

[Judy]

I've just started watching the 1976 BBC adaptation of OMF on DVD - I've seen the more recent 1990s version 3 times over the years, and like it a lot, but thought I'd go back and watch this earlier version, which I never saw at the time.

I've only watched the first episode so far and am impressed - it seems to be a very faithful adaptation, with a lot of Dickens's language (though sadly no narrator's voiceover). The opening scene looks just like Marcus Stone's "birds of prey" illustration, and there is some great photography, and music by Carl Davis.

Great cast, too (not all of these are in episode one though), including John McEnery as Rokesmith, Leo McKern as Mr Boffin, Jane Seymour as Bella, Lesley Dunlop as Lizzie and a lot of well-known character actors in smaller parts.

The one jarring element so far is that some actors have very 1970s hairdos, in particular the actor playing Mortimer Lightwood, Andrew Ray, who has gone mad with the hairspray, and Jack Wild as Charley Hexam. But then I expect hairstyles in current adaptations will look equally reminiscent of the 2010s 40 years hence!

[Judy]

P.S., there is also a 1958 TV series of OMF out on DVD in the UK now - I'm tempted, but would really like to see a clip or two from it before taking the plunge and buying.

[John]

Judy wrote: "P.S., there is also a 1958 TV series of OMF out on DVD in the UK now - I'm tempted, but would really like to see a clip or two from it before taking the plunge and buying."

Hmm. I have to do some youtubing on this. I sometimes enjoy sitting back in my easy chair with my cat and setting up my Nook to watch a show.

[Bionic Jean]

The TV miniseries I favour is from 1998 (so no weird hair-dos!). I think it's excellent! Here's the cast:

Paul McGann - Eugene Wrayburn
Dominic Mafham - Mortimer Lightwood
David Bradley - Rogue Riderhood
Anna Friel - Bella Wilfer
Peter Vaughan - Mr. Boffin
Pam Ferris - Mrs. Boffin
Steven Mackintosh - John Harmon
Keeley Hawes - Lizzie Hexam
Michael Culkin - Mr. Veneering
Anthony Calf - Alfred Lammle
Doon Mackichan - Sophronia Lammle
Rose English - Mrs. Veneering
Margaret Tyzack - Lady Tippins
Kenneth Cranham - Silas Wegg
Timothy Spall - Mr. Venus
Paul Bailey - Charley Hexam
David Morrissey - Bradley Headstone
Robert Lang - Mr. Tremlow
Katy Murphy - Jenny Wren
Rachel Power - Pleasant Riderhood
Roger Frost - Police Inspector
Martin Hancock - Sloppy
Cyril Shaps - Mr. Riah
Peter Wight - Mr. Wilfer
David Schofield - Gaffer Hexam (2 episodes, 1998
Linda Bassett - Abby Potterson
Richard Hanson - George Radfoot
Willie Ross - Mr. Dolls
Edna Doré - Betty Higden
Bertie Shelley - Little Johnny
Richard Stirling - Reverend
Heather Tobias - Mrs. Wilfer
Catriona Yuill - Lavinia Wilfer

I've missed out all the guests and pub regulars, but many of these are well-known actors here in the UK :)

[Judy]

I loved that adaptation too, Jean, but as I'd seen it 3 times, thought I'd give the older 1970s version a try this time round. I'm halfway through now and am really liking Leo McKern as Mr Boffin. (I'm not sure who is best out of him and Peter Vaughan!) Thank you for posting the cast.

Overall I think I prefer the 1998 version, although a few scenes are so dark in that adaptation that it is hard to make out what is happening, but I do like the 1976 version a lot as well.

The two adaptations have quite a few things in common, such as the fact that Jenny Wren and Sloppy are played by adults in both - I'll be interested to see if the older 1958 version did the same. I suppose they are hard parts for children to play, but it is a bit jarring. It looks as if I will have to take the plunge and buy that one on DVD without seeing any clips first, as there are no online trailers.

[Bionic Jean]

I don't think I've seen any of those earlier ones - which is quite unusual for me! When you've finished this one, perhaps you'll let us (me!) know if you think they're worth a look.

[Judy]

I will report back - I was also surprised to find there was a 1970s one I hadn't seen. It will take me a little while though as I like to keep pace with my rereading of the book, so I need to read on before watching any more.

[Bionic Jean]

Of course :)

[Mary Lou]

A few days ago I finally gave in and signed up for Amazon Prime, and was delighted to find a bevy of Dickens titles when I searched their movies. Then I actually tried to watch, and discovered that none of them (so far, at least) streamed for free -- all required a rental fee or purchase! How disappointing. I was looking forward to starting with OMF, which was among the many titles.

Turns out that it applies to all the BBC shows I was interested in. Thank God for the free shipping, or I would be wasting a lot of money! Plus, they do seem to have a good collection of classic movies -- Jimmy Stewart, Cary Grant, etc. some of which I don't already have on dvd.

[Everyman]

Jean wrote: "The TV miniseries I favour is from 1998 (so no weird hair-dos!). I think it's excellent! Here's the cast:

Paul McGann - Eugene Wrayburn
Dominic Mafham - Mortimer Lightwood
David Bradley - Rogue R..."

I'm watching that one right now on DVD from the library. Good, but the cinematographer LOVES dark scenes, so much of the film you have to peer through the gloom to see what's going on.

[Cindy]

Jean wrote: "The TV miniseries I favour is from 1998 (so no weird hair-dos!). I think it's excellent! Here's the cast:

Paul McGann - Eugene Wrayburn
Dominic Mafham - Mortimer Lightwood
David Bradley - Rogue R..."

I plan to watch this, but will wait until we finish the book. My eye was caught by the name David Morrissey (being a Walking Dead fan!). His bio says he is a fan of the book and wanted the part of Eugene Wrayburn, and was reluctant to take the role of Headstone. After reading the script, he decided it wouldn't be so bad to play a character who is disliked and critics say he brings depth to the role. I'm looking forward to seeing it.

[Bionic Jean]

Yeah, I do have a dim memory of the gloom, now a couple of you mention it ;)

Sometimes the BBC overdo the special atmospheric effects a bit. With a recent dramatisation of Jamaica Inn there was an outcry as nobody could hear the actors over the storms at sea!! They nearly took it off I think - it ended up with very bad viewing figures.

[John]

Mary Lou wrote: "A few days ago I finally gave in and signed up for Amazon Prime, and was delighted to find a bevy of Dickens titles when I searched their movies. Then I actually tried to watch, and discovered that..."

I have to dig around a little more, but I thought the 1998 adaption was on youtube. There are segments of it, it appears for free, and the entire adaption -- well, there is a fee. Not sure of the fee, though. I've never agreed to pay for anything on youtube, so have not tried.