I see from Elaine's Random Jottings that the BBC is to televise a new adaptation of Anthony Trollope's Palliser novels. That is something to look forward to and a good excuse for me to spend a lot of hours with my Folio editions of the novels.I know, I could have bought the complete set in paperback and still have spent less than on one of these volumes but Trollope's work just feels better in a beautifully bound hardback. I'm not a book snob (well only about some things, oh all right then, if you count classics, prequels, sequels, poor adaptations and a few other things, perhaps I could be considered a tiny bit pernickety) but I buy the best I can afford when adding to my collection of books that I know I'll always keep.
Oooh, excellent. I've never read The Pallisers so that will be a real treat.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you'll love them, Cath. I look forward to hearing your views.
ReplyDeleteOn the subject of adaptations, I reckon it will be very hard to beat the original (made in the 1970s, I think) with Susan Hampshire et al.
ReplyDeleteI have the whole series on video (yes, I still have a dinosaur VCR) and it's wonderful. I replay it in its entirety every couple of years or so, usually over the Christmas/New Year holidays. One can just while away hour after hour ...
With a few notable exceptions, they don't make 'em like that any more. Or write them like that either.
I loved the Susan Hampshire version, but haven't seen it since they stopped repeating it (about 20 years at least). I haven't read all of the novels, either - just the first two, I think.
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing like a Folio edition, is there? I have a boxed FS set of Jane Austen, and unlike the paperback versions I used at school and university, or the cheap Edwardian hardbacks I subsequently inherited from my grandparents, they NEVER fall to bits, however often they are re-read (which is a LOT)!
Hi D and J, I loved the 70s version, too but haven't seen it since the original broadcast. Any guesses as to the potential cast for the new version?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip. I just ordered the series from Netflix (video rentals). We are currently watching The Forsythe Saga (1967) and are enjoying very much.
ReplyDeleteWe've been going through our British period, so sugestions are very welcome.
I am sure you will enjoy this one too, e.
ReplyDeleteI've just begun watching the 1974 version. Planty Pall seems to have been perfectly cast.
ReplyDeleteBut I'll be anxious to see the new version with modern production values and hopefully roles for some favorites like Bill Nighy and Timothy Spall.
But you lucky folks in the UK will get to see it 3 years before me!
Welcome, Sam. I'm glad you are enjoying the 1974 version - I loved it, in fact I think the whole of the UK stayed at home to watch all 26 episodes.
ReplyDeleteI hope the new version stays true to the spirit of the books. I haven't been terribly impressed by some of the latest adaptations of literary classics.
Sam, new version may be out on DVD before three years. I'm putting it on my Netflix queue and report back to m. when it becomes available.
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