Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (BBCA) - Series Thread - Premieres 6/13/15
06-13-15, 12:52 PM
#1
DVD Talk Legend
Thread Starter
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (BBCA) - Series Thread - Premieres 6/13/15
BBC AMERICA’s new original mini-series, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, is set during the Napoleonic Wars in an England where magic once existed and is about to return. So begins a dangerous battle between two great men. Eddie Marsan (Ray Donovan, The World’s End), Olivier award-winning Bertie Carvel (Restless, Matilda), Charlotte Riley (Wuthering Heights, Easy Virtue) and Alice Englert (Ginger & Rosa, Beautiful Creatures) star in the seven-part mini-series, which has been adapted from Susanna Clarke’s bestselling novel by Peter Harness (Wallander, Doctor Who) and directed by Toby Haynes (Sherlock, Doctor Who).
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell premieres Saturday, June 13, 10:00pm ET on BBC AMERICA.
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell premieres Saturday, June 13, 10:00pm ET on BBC AMERICA.
06-13-15, 12:54 PM
#2
DVD Talk Legend
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Re: Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (BBCA) - Series Thread - Premieres 6/13/15
The premiere episode is available for free right now on Amazon Instant video:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00Z0BTW0S/
I watched the episode last night on Amazon. As someone who's read the book, the show is remarkably faithful, while streamlining a bit to make it faster paced. I think they moved up the introduction of Jonathan Strange from the book, although it's roughly the same actions. Looking forward to the rest of the series.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00Z0BTW0S/
I watched the episode last night on Amazon. As someone who's read the book, the show is remarkably faithful, while streamlining a bit to make it faster paced. I think they moved up the introduction of Jonathan Strange from the book, although it's roughly the same actions. Looking forward to the rest of the series.
06-14-15, 11:38 PM
#3
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (BBCA) - Series Thread - Premieres 6/13/15
I found this an absolutely delightful pilot, steeped in dry wit. The characters are fun and the pilot was brimming with a subtle sense of humor, which is quite unusual for an English period piece.
The pilot episode is also free on VUDU. I hope the series matches the promise of its first episode.
The pilot episode is also free on VUDU. I hope the series matches the promise of its first episode.
06-14-15, 11:42 PM
#4
Banned
Re: Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (BBCA) - Series Thread - Premieres 6/13/15
It's really good. It seems to follow the book very closely and the production values are much higher than I expected.
06-14-15, 11:48 PM
#5
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (BBCA) - Series Thread - Premieres 6/13/15
Haven't read the book... the girl he brought back from the dead seemed to be missing more than part of her little finger. She seemed pretty nuts. 
06-15-15, 07:10 AM
#8
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Re: Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (BBCA) - Series Thread - Premieres 6/13/15
For anyone who missed it, the premiere episode is also on BBCA's site for free:
http://www.bbcamerica.com/jonathan-s...english-magic/
06-15-15, 11:59 AM
#9
Re: Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (BBCA) - Series Thread - Premieres 6/13/15
I enjoyed this a lot too. I read the book, but it's been a while and I'm fuzzy on many details. Production-wise, it won't be confused with theatrical level shows like GoT - but this is just fine for me (though I can see how some viewers might turn their noses up at it).
A limited episode miniseries is a fantastic vehicle for adapting a novel (especially a big complicated one). The system of British television seems much more open for this kind of project than American TV. Have there been any other really good British adaptations of novels recently that I've missed?
A limited episode miniseries is a fantastic vehicle for adapting a novel (especially a big complicated one). The system of British television seems much more open for this kind of project than American TV. Have there been any other really good British adaptations of novels recently that I've missed?
06-15-15, 12:50 PM
#10
DVD Talk Legend
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Re: Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (BBCA) - Series Thread - Premieres 6/13/15
http://www.bbc.co.uk/tv/seasons/books/tvdrama.shtml
Women In Love, The Field of Blood, The Crimson Petal & The White, South Riding, Christopher And His Kind, The Night Watch, and Case Histories
There's also the Red Riding Trilogy from a few years ago, although that was three adaptations of three related books:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Riding
I haven't seen any of them, so I can't comment on their quality.
06-16-15, 07:17 PM
#11
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (BBCA) - Series Thread - Premieres 6/13/15
I watched the first episode last night on Vudu. It was surprisingly entertaining and not as hokey as I imagined it to be.
I've requested the book at my library, and I'll finish that before I watch the rest of the season.
I've requested the book at my library, and I'll finish that before I watch the rest of the season.
06-17-15, 01:15 PM
#12
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Re: Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (BBCA) - Series Thread - Premieres 6/13/15
I read the book when it first came out and enjoyed it so much that it's one of the handful of hardcover fiction titles that I've kept. Apparently the ensuing 10 years has washed most of it from my memory as I recalled very little from the opening episode. I guess the rest of the series will also be a pleasant surprise.
Marc Warren showing up as the Faerie threw me a bit as I had just finished watching him in Band of Brothers as Pvt. Blithe
Marc Warren showing up as the Faerie threw me a bit as I had just finished watching him in Band of Brothers as Pvt. Blithe
06-29-15, 10:11 PM
#13
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (BBCA) - Series Thread - Premieres 6/13/15
This series continues to be a rewarding pleasure. We rarely get this blend of light fantasy material in an English period setting, or done so effectively.
06-30-15, 01:20 PM
#15
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Re: Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (BBCA) - Series Thread - Premieres 6/13/15
It's not as emphasized in the mini-series, but Norrell is a secluded, bookish fellow. He spent the majority of the his life shut up in his estate, acquiring and reading books of magic. He didn't belong to any magician society, because he didn't socialize. It's possible he never would've been known as an actual, practical magician if Mr Segundus hadn't sought him out. He loves books, and finds them easier to relate to and understand than people. He's basically the stereotypical bookworm who just so happens to also be a magician.
07-01-15, 09:14 AM
#17
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Re: Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (BBCA) - Series Thread - Premieres 6/13/15
Yeah Strange seems like a natural. He has come up with spells on his own. Including one that Norell had never seen. Norell, on the other hand is just reciting what he has learned from books.
07-01-15, 10:26 AM
#18
Suspended
Re: Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (BBCA) - Series Thread - Premieres 6/13/15
I read the book when it first came out and enjoyed it so much that it's one of the handful of hardcover fiction titles that I've kept. Apparently the ensuing 10 years has washed most of it from my memory as I recalled very little from the opening episode. I guess the rest of the series will also be a pleasant surprise.
07-02-15, 12:39 AM
#19
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (BBCA) - Series Thread - Premieres 6/13/15
I'm reading the book now... actually it's an omnibus of all three books... over a 1000 pages in paperback. I'm about a third of the way through. From what I've read so far, the show seems to be staying fairly true to the book.
07-02-15, 07:35 AM
#20
DVD Talk Legend
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Re: Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (BBCA) - Series Thread - Premieres 6/13/15
The book was written and published as one giant novel, the author split the text into 3 "volumes" for stylistic reasons (similar to how J.R.R. Tolkien split Lord of the Rings into 6 "books" in the text). It looks like at least one paperback release split the volumes into separate books, but the original hardcover release was one massive book.
Last edited by Jay G.; 07-02-15 at 08:51 AM.
07-04-15, 01:30 AM
#21
Banned
Re: Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (BBCA) - Series Thread - Premieres 6/13/15
This is an awesome BBC adaption btw, one of the better ones I've seen. As for recommendations, Pride and Prejudice is really good, so is Bleak House (the 2005 version).
07-04-15, 07:32 PM
#22
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (BBCA) - Series Thread - Premieres 6/13/15
07-05-15, 01:55 AM
#23
Banned
Re: Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (BBCA) - Series Thread - Premieres 6/13/15
I read the book quite a while ago too. I don't remember how long it took to read but I remember it was a project.
I was thinking of reading The Ladies of Grace Adieu and Other Stories. It's supposed to be quite like Strange & Norell.
I was thinking of reading The Ladies of Grace Adieu and Other Stories. It's supposed to be quite like Strange & Norell.
07-15-15, 11:40 AM
#24
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (BBCA) - Series Thread - Premieres 6/13/15
I continue to find this a wildly fascinating show. It's one of the first adaptations that has me seriously interested in reading the books.
My only minor complaint in what has been an otherwise wonderful plot was the rushed way they deceived Jonathan Strange into "marrying" the doppelganger.
My only minor complaint in what has been an otherwise wonderful plot was the rushed way they deceived Jonathan Strange into "marrying" the doppelganger.
07-15-15, 11:59 AM
#25
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Re: Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (BBCA) - Series Thread - Premieres 6/13/15
I continue to find this a wildly fascinating show. It's one of the first adaptations that has me seriously interested in reading the books.
My only minor complaint in what has been an otherwise wonderful plot was the rushed way they deceived Jonathan Strange into "marrying" the doppelganger.
My only minor complaint in what has been an otherwise wonderful plot was the rushed way they deceived Jonathan Strange into "marrying" the doppelganger.
See this commentary on book chapters 43 :The curious adventure of Mr Hyde and 44: Arabella:
http://www.tor.com/2014/12/12/jonath...reread-part-9/
