Damian Lewis fans line up for Wolf Hall tonight

[Travelledtheworld]

Wednesday 21st January BBC2 Channel 4

lush costumes.

www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/bbc/11358197/Damian-Lewiss-inspiration-for-Wolf-Halls-Henry-VIII-Wills-and-Harry.html

I wouldn't say it was really about missing anything crucial, which we didn't, but it was rather a strain on the eyes, the candlelight and the darkness, and difficult to discern detail.

We switched all the lights off in our living room and it really helped watching the night scenes. I loved that they thought of all the details like that - how it would have been so very dark at night, how Liz would naturally be sitting in the window seat to sew, not to look picturesque but to see more clearly!

Fell asleep afterwards and dreamt that MR was acting the part of Richard III in a film. Now that would be great casting.

I thought it was brilliant but I've reread the books recently and perhaps I shouldnt.

I'm pretty sure he played Richard III on stage.

HolyTerror - yes re the physical things, and also Norfolk in real life was small and slight (though very fit and probably pretty wiry) which arguably explains a lot about his aggression and all the nasty physical threats he goes around making (which he really did).

I enjoyed it and have not read the books, though I might be inspired to now.

The scene with Kathryn in court reminded me of a conversation between MIL and her SIL: MIL is a bit of a history buff and taught English Literature so is very well read. She and her SIL were arguing as to whether or not Kathryn and Arthur's marriage had been consummated, her SIL was adamant that Kathryn would have lied to avoid being sent back to Spain and to marry Henry but MIL said she (SIL) wasn't thinking like a 16thC princess - Kathryn was a devout Catholic and would have truly believed that she would condem her soul to Hell if she lied. I agree with her.

Oh and Mark Gatiss has tweeted thus afternoon that he is upset by how many people think he was wearing a fake nose

Frankeland, I agree with your MIL too.

I reserve judgement until I watch it again.

I really enjoyed it. I had no problem with the pace, I thought it was just right. There was a lot of information to take in, setting the scene with all the characters and their different alliances and agendas.

I thought Mark Rylance was excellent. TC appears calm, very human and intelligent. And like he's going to be hard as nails when it's needed.

DL's little appearance was good too. I liked the mixture of powerful and petulant in his manner.

I struggled a little with Ann. Her deliberate mangling of Cromwell to Cremuel was as I imagined but then her perfect English accent seemed jarring. But it was only a short scene so I'm not judging. I also liked that little scene with Mark thingy the lute player.

My FB friends who hadn't read the books were disappointed, they thought it was slow and there wasn't enough of Henry. I think some were expecting something closer to The Tudors. But those who had read the books enjoyed it.

I have to admit I kept flicking to Wikipedia while watching to look stuff up (Sweating sickness, reminding myself what happened to Wolsey in the end, etc). DH commented that it was nice to watch a Tudor-era programme that was not Henry-centric.

I'm looking forward to The Hollow Crown when that returns, mostly to drool over The Batch in tights though you understand

The only thing I don't like about Wolf Hall is the fact that it makes a BBC adaptation of the Shardlake books less likely.

Say it ain't so Squoosh. I love those novels! (Except the last one which really dragged). There was a rumour a few years ago that Kenneth Branagh was going to play Shardlake on TV. But seems it's not going to happen now....

I think I'm going to watch it again tonight. I can't stop thinking about it today.

Mark Rylance has completely got under my skin.

gotten

Yes the last book could have done with a bit more editing but wouldn't it be great to see them on screen? Can't see the BBC giving the green light to massively expensive Tudor dramas.

I heard the Branagh rumour but thankfully nothing has come of it, can't stand him! He is not my Matthew Shardlake.

Don't you think if Wolf Hall is a big hit it'll make the BBC think 'What do we need to do next? More Tudors!'
I'm in hopes it'll work for rather than against the possibility of Shardlake.
Shardlake would just be so terribly expensive to do though - the York one would take a cast of thousands.

Well I never thought of it like that. You may be right Countess! But yes, it would need to be done well and 'well' means splashing the cash to make it believable.

There was an ITV dramatisation recently on the Great Fire of London. I only caught 10 mins of it but I didn't get any sense whatsoever of a bustling and crowded 17th century London. It's budgetary restraints were just too obvious for it to be credible. The BBC's current Musketeers series is another fail in my book, it's clearly filmed in Eastern Europe without even an attempt to portray the Paris of the time (although judging from fevered threads I've noticed on the subject I'm aware the Musketeers has some ardent admirers!)

Tell me more of the Shardlake novels. How have I never heard of these.

Who is your Shardlake, squoosh? Yes, Countess, maybe, if WH flies the Beeb will consider Shardlake? I'm really enjoying the interesting analysis on this thread. (I was expecting some fanny fluffing over DL. I drifted onto the Mousesqee-ers zone once - it scared the bejeezus out of me). I'm going to rewatch later and then reread here.

Not as literary as Mantel's books but hugely enjoyable. The Shardlake series is set in Tudor London, with the court as a backdrop rather than the main focus.

The main character is a hunchback lawyer called Matthew Shardlake who is called on by Thomas Cromwell to solve various crimes and mysteries. Unlike a lot of historical crime fiction writers you get the sense that Sansom knows his period rather than just chucking in a few facts he's found on Wikipedia.

There have been six installments so far (the last two being a bit weaker than the first four).

just watched on iplayer, Very disappointed at the casting of Mark Rylance, too little physical menace - and the same voice and accent he uses in Bing.oh dear. Loved the book though.

AnneofCheese, they are great! Not literary at all but brilliant plots.
' Sovereign' (is that the York one? With the royal progress?) is blimmin brilliant!

I've thought about it but I'm not sure who I'd choose as Shardlake mimi but I'm happy to take part in the casting process if they need my expertise! (Rylance would have been ace actually).

Sovereign is my favourite too Echo.

They sound right up my alley, thank you! Something to read while we wait for the third part of Mantel's trilogy. And looks like they've got them at the library.