The Woman in White - anybody else watching?

[xsquared]

I think Jessie Buckley is good as Marian but I don’t remember Laura being so forward.

Thankfully set this to record and episodes automatically picked up by my TV otherwise I'd have missed Monday's! I vaguely remember seeing it years ago and was amazed how many versions were listed on imdb.com - fortunately I remembered that Alan Badel played Count Fosco so it was the 1982 version. I don't remember the Countess being so involved in the skulduggery though. Agree with earlier posters that it was silly having Laura floating around in what looked like a nightdress

Just caught up and thought I'd drop by and see what MN thought - and you're all exclaiming at the nightie thing too! Laura really is very wet, as indeed is Walter. Marion the only interesting character really. But far too good looking. I don't remember her snogging Fosco in the book, but it's a long time since I read it.

The writing seems stilted and awkward with sudden expressions that seem out of kilter - 'I'm fine' doesn't sound Victorian.

I read the book a long time ago and don't recall Marian being at all attracted to Fosco. Fosco in this adaptation is a bit too handsome and thin. He is meant to be obese in the book.

twiddles moustache Count Fosco signing in. I have not watched this yet but will do and will get back to you.

I've given up on it. Has Fosco got pet mice running over him, like the book? (Perhaps not, if they can't even make him fat)

I'm loving this adaptation but have seen no others to compare it with nor read the book. I think the acting, dialogue, costumes and scenery are all great. Agree w pp that the switching between past and present really works. Can't wait for the next one and plan to get the book

Yes, I'm peeved that Count Fosco isn't fat! Did they think it was 'fattist' to make a nasty character fat or something? Wasn't he supposed to be older, too?

I first heard TWIW as a BBC World Service serial aeons ago - loved it, but didn't read the book until it was on the syllabus for an OU course I did - The 19thC novel.
It caused a huge sensation when it was first published - IIRC as a serial in one of his friend Charles Dickens' weekly magazines - and has never been out of print!

I love Wilkie Collins and am amazed his novels aren't better known (beyond TWIW and The Moonstone). He writes fabulous women and 'No Name' so shocked Victorian society the law was changed. I wish the BBC would do an adaption of Armadale, Lydia Gwilt is a fascinating complex villain, as indeed is my beloved Count Fosco.

Can someone explain why the Count and his wife are apparently permanent residents at Sir Percival's house (unless it's a spoiler)? I watched ep 3 last night and caught something about the wife's relationship with (I think) the uncle?

Ahh, Marian does find herself with a bit of an attraction to Count Fosco, OP. It causes her some fluster and bias towards him which she later hates herself for!
Accepting this as a libertarian adaptation of one of my favourite novels, I’m really enjoying it. But not enjoying the ‘present’ bits. Too leading and intensifying drama when the plot doesn’t need it.

I LOVE this book. Really properly love it.

Wilkie Collins painted such vivid pictures of what the characters looked like, that it's really spoiling it for me that they've not really bothered to portray them like that. I was SO looking forward to seeing Count Fosco and...nothing like him. Laura's hair is yellow - just yellow. And yes, the nighty-style dress is odd. I'm so disappointed.

I was looking forward to this but have found it a disappointment. A poor adaptation of the book ( there is an older adaptation captures and portrays the atmosphere much better I think)

So, in the book Marian is attracted to a grossly obese man? That seems strange.

Marian is attracted to a man who is her intellectual equal and who respects and admires her intellect. Attraction isn't always about looks (Marian in the book is plain).

Well met CountFosco :)

Yes, the relationship between Marion and Fosco is really cool in the book, there's a subtle attraction there and Fosco really appreciates her intelligence. Kind of a Sherlock/Moriarty thing. And yes the WHOLE point of Fosco is that he is v. obese and strangely attractive - and very clever indeed.

Marian in the book is plain

Indeed.

"The lady is tall. The lady is dark! The lady is ugly!"

I think that's the quote. I'm remembering it from o levels in 1983 so forgive me if it's not.

Marian in this adpatation is far from plain, I think, and even outshines Laura. Collins said Fosco was created larger by Collins to counter the thin, evil stereotype.

Have we seen his white mice yet?

I've already mentioned I dislike this version. There is very little suspense or atmosphere.

A great book, a fantastic opportunity wasted. Not thrilling, no atmosphere, not a good adaptation. Shame.

The last tv adaptation years ago was much more imaginative and clever than this one. As I remember two different actresses played Laura and Anne, and you genuinely believed that Laura had died. Then there was a scene in the asylum where you saw the back of a girl's head, and she turned slowly around and it was Laura. Much more of a twist.

I actually gave up about 9.30 tonight
It feels very slow and repetitive

I did want to read the book but not sure now....

The book is worth reading. This adaptation has been very disappointing, I thought this was to be the last episode and I'm finding it very tedious.

Hartright blends in with the wallpaper, Andrew Lincoln portrays him much better in the 1990s version. In fact I'd recommend watching that. Simon Callow is Fosco and Tara Fitzgerald plays Marian.

I thought it was great but then I've never read the book or seen any other adaptations.

I don't think the author of that blog has read the book, given the questions they ask at the end!

I prefer Tara Fitzgerald's more subtle Marian. Agreeing with above (expecting the thigh slapping and 'by jove'), it was just too much.

There was a 1982 version with mice. I have found it here: