In The Trenches: A Literary Adaptation That Makes A Handsome Film, But Doesn't Connect As Fully As It Should
Sebastian Faulks' beloved WWII novel "Birdsong" makes a handsome two-part presentation as a part of Masterpiece Classics. Fans of the book, especially with the U. K. premiere, expressed a fair amount of disappointment in the liberties taken by Abi Morgan (The Hours, which coincidentally was also much more acclaimed on its U.S. debut than it had been in Britain). Having read the source material many years ago, I think this is an earnest adaptation. I don't get too caught up with the similarities and the divergences, however, the work must stand independently as a film. The harshest criticisms that I have read seem a bit unwarranted, but the glowing accolades miss the mark as well. This well-meaning and gorgeously produced film experiences some of the same problems that many adaptations of a literary success have faced. It's hard to bring the subtle nuance and introspection of fine prose to the screen without it seeming a tad disconnected.
Eddie Redmayne plays the title...
Well worth a viewing!
I watched the first half of this two part series on television on Sunday night in HD (it was beautiful) and the second half after I rented the dvd. The first part is now available through 5/22 on the PBS website.
I also watched all 3 short extra feature documentaries.
This is a wonderful film, however it should be noted that there are several fairly graphic war scenes and several scenes with sexuality.
The three short documentary featurettes are also worth watching. One addresses the love story, one addresses the war story and the third featurette discusses the behind the scenes filming. The movie was filmed in part in Budapest, Hungary. The actors, director, producer and costume designer all speak warmly and intensely of their involvement in the production.
This film is a not-to-be-missed Masterpiece theatre two-part series. If you have read the book, you will find some differences. I won't go into detail, since I have not read the book as of yet...
Gorgeous But Empty
England is at war, and Stephen Wraysford (Eddie Redmayne) is on the front lines. In command of a group of enterprising young men digging tunnels in order to get nearer foreign forces, Stephen spends most of his time above ground... until a superior officer (Matthew Goode) tells him to take to the tunnels. His timing could not be worse. Gunfire penetrates the underground shaft, leaving him badly wounded...
But conscious to remember a much happier time... when he was employed at a textile factory in France. His employer is the wealthy, older René Azaire but it is his lovely young wife Isabelle (Clémence Poésy) who most attracts Stephen's attention. Quiet and self-contained, she can often be heard weeping at night. Her stepdaughter is not much younger than she is, and is romantically interested in Stephen... but he has eyes only for the beautiful young woman who suffers so much in silence. As their affair unfolds and carries them both into desperate times,...
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