NFR - Recommended TV Viewing

[The Equalizer]

A head's up to all you lucky people, particularly those who have read the book:

A couple of years ago, I had the pleasure to read a tome by Ken Follett called 'The Pillars of The Earth'. This epic book was recommended to me by a friend, so I went and read the back cover of it in Waterstones and proceeded not to buy it. It seemed entirely unappealing to me.

The precis goes:

"The Pillars of the Earth" tells the story of Philip, prior of Kingsbridge, a devout and resourceful monk driven to build the greatest Gothic cathedral the world has known; of Tom, the mason who becomes his architect - a man divided in his soul; of the beautiful, elusive Lady Aliena, haunted by a secret shame; and of a struggle between good and evil that will turn church against state, and brother against brother. A spellbinding epic tale of ambition, anarchy, and absolute power set against the sprawling medieval canvas of twelfth-century England, this is Ken Follett's historical masterpiece"

Simply put: not my cup of Darj.

So 4 years later, when I was lacking a good read and bit the bullet and bought it. I've never made a better decision.

Anyway, back to the point, if you've read the book, or if you're not too keen on reading, they have created a TV show. It's produced by the Brothers Scott (Ridders and Tone), and I must say that it is one of the most exceptional pieces of historical drama I've seen. Entirely compelling.

It's not on the box over here until some point this autumn. I just downloaded the whole series from PirateBay.

Keep your eyes peeled for Channel 4 this coming autumn.

[Peabody]

Thanks for that, do you know whether it will be on terrestrial ?

[The Equalizer]

Thanks for that, do you know whether it will be on terrestrial ?

Yep, Channel 4. It's got Ian McShane in it and Donald Sutherland. Very good cast.

[The Doctor]

Cheers for the heads-up Eq.  As co-incidence would have it, I'm reading it at the moment.  The casting must have been a job and a half.  Hope they've found a prize bar steward to play William Hamleigh.  I'm racing through it in the hope that he gets his comeuppance!

Have you read the sequel?  I think its called World Without End.  Might grab a copy, but slightly suspicious as it has a bit to live up to.

As an aside, anyone who enjoyed "The Pillars of the Earth" might also enjoy "Sarum" and "London" by Edward Rutherford.  Similar sort of thing, but following whole families across generations and weaving the fictional narrative amongst historical events

[WhiteJC]

both books very good

[FC Silver Fox]

Thanks Eq. I'll look out for the book in the airport bookshop.

[Peabody]

Matthew McFadden (Spooks) is Prior Phillip

[The Equalizer]

Jon - I've read World Without End. It's probably as good as the first book. Ken Follett's writing another one at the moment.

One of the best things about the show is the casting. It's absolutely spot on with all characters. Matthew MacFadyen does a great job as Prior Phil. The blokey who plays Jack is haunting and very believable. Hayley Atwell is quite simply my new favourite woman in the world, and not just for her performance as Aliena... see below.

And Lovejoy - what a bastard.

[fulhamwannabe]

i read brown's "da vinci code" and "angels and demons",donald sutherland is one of my favourite actors,therefore i must like the book then,,,,,,,,,,,,thanks for that equaliser  :045:

[Lighthouse]

Having read both books because of a recommendation by a friend of my Sisters one day and a day later, the same recommendation on here. I shall look forward to the tv when it comes on.

The two books are very 'soap opera' and not quite my cup of meths but I did finish them so I can imagine how the tv could be filmed.

[finnster01]

Jon - I've read World Without End. It's probably as good as the first book. Ken Follett's writing another one at the moment.

One of the best things about the show is the casting. It's absolutely spot on with all characters. Matthew MacFadyen does a great job as Prior Phil. The blokey who plays Jack is haunting and very believable. Hayley Atwell is quite simply my new favourite woman in the world, and not just for her performance as Aliena... see below.

And Lovejoy - what a bastard.



Those books may be very good, but I doubt they are as good as those charlies.

[Peabody]

I have read both books and because there is a span of several generations between them, they work as two separate stories. I prefer World without End.

[The Doctor]

Cheers all.  I'll get myself a copy of "World Without End" as soon as I'm done with "Pillars".  Cannot wait for the series to begin - although they're going to have to have a major rewrite to give Aliena more scenes.  That lass is lovely  :004:

[os5889]

Jon - I've read World Without End. It's probably as good as the first book. Ken Follett's writing another one at the moment.

One of the best things about the show is the casting. It's absolutely spot on with all characters. Matthew MacFadyen does a great job as Prior Phil. The blokey who plays Jack is haunting and very believable. Hayley Atwell is quite simply my new favourite woman in the world, and not just for her performance as Aliena... see below.

And Lovejoy - what a bastard.



Those books may be very good, but I doubt they are as good as those charlies.

:005: :005: :005: :005:

[The Doctor]

A quick update - Channel 4 have finally announced the schedule for the series.  The first episode will air this Saturday (16th Oct) at 9pm.

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-pillars-of-the-earth/episode-guide/series-1/episode-1

With any luck, it'll be repeated at some point during the week as some of us will probably still be in the pub at that time!

Eq, are all the episodes 2 hrs long or just the opening one?

[Logicalman]

Thanks for the heads-up Eq, just found it on PB, pulling the 720 HD (3.9GB)  rather than the XVid (11GB) version though.

[The Equalizer]

A quick update - Channel 4 have finally announced the schedule for the series.  The first episode will air this Saturday (16th Oct) at 9pm.

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-pillars-of-the-earth/episode-guide/series-1/episode-1

With any luck, it'll be repeated at some point during the week as some of us will probably still be in the pub at that time!

Eq, are all the episodes 2 hrs long or just the opening one?

I downloaded them as 8 x 1hr episodes, so I didn't get the benefit of a double-bill, I had the benefit of a quadruple-bill for two nights!

[Peabody]

Would you believe  it, I am going on a weeks holiday for a week and will not only miss the Spurs game but also this as well. Luckily I have a Humax box, so will record it. I am looking forward to this programme.

[ron]

"...... haunted by a secret shame; and of a struggle between good and evil that will turn church against state, and brother against brother. A spellbinding epic tale of ambition, anarchy, and absolute power........"

....sounds like an ordinary day at FIFA to me..... :dft008:

....but seriously it does sound interesting. I'll watch out for it.

[PaulUMD]

The series ran on Starz in the States back in the summer.  It was phenomenal.  As previously said, the casting was great...don't forget Rufus Sewell as Tom, probably the best performance of many.  They keep the same actors even though many years pass during the story, so you just have to suspend any disbelief.  It didn't bother me, in fact I think I preferred that to new actors or ridiculous aging makeup.

Though for those of you who read the book first, be prepared for a bit of editing and skipping parts of to the storyline.