"Gormenghast" (2000) (mini)TV mini-series

Director:

Andy Wilson

Writers:

Mervyn Peake (novels)
Malcolm McKay (screenplay)

Release Date:

10 June 2000 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Fantasy | Mystery

Tagline:

77 generations built the kingdom of Gormenghast... Will one kitchen boy bring it down?

Plot:

A villain threatens the rise of a new earl in an ancient kingdom.

Plot Keywords:

Art | Epic | Steampunk | Surreal | Ambition

Awards:

4 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

Celia Imrie	...	Lady Gertrude
John Sessions	...	Dr. Prunesquallor
Warren Mitchell	...	Barquentine
George Yiasoumi	...	Bookman
Ian Richardson	...	Lord Groan
Neve McIntosh	...	Lady Fuchsia
June Brown	...	Nannie Slagg
Christopher Lee	...	Flay
Richard Griffiths	...	Swelter
Jonathan Rhys Meyers	...	Steerpike
Zoë Wanamaker	...	Clarice Groan
Lynsey Baxter	...	Cora Groan
Fiona Shaw	...	Irma Prunesquallor
Olga Sosnovska	...	Keda
Eric Sykes	...	Mollocks

Runtime:

232 min (4 parts)

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Canada:PG (Ontario) | Singapore:PG | UK:12 | USA:Unrated

Filming Locations:

Shepperton Studios, Shepperton, Surrey, England, UK

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Trivia:

Author Mervyn Peake's granddaughters appear as extras in the movie.

Quotes:

Steerpike: [dejected, playing the syrinx to his monkey] It's just you and me now, Satan.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Goodbye 2000 (2000) (TV)

Gormenghast- captivating and brilliant

If you like fantasy and adventure in any blend (particularly if you thought Dungeons and Dragons- the movie should have been much much better), then Gormenghast is for you.

I recently watched the whole mini-series in one sitting, and I must say there has never before been a piece of film (particularly such a long film) that has caught and held my attention in such a manner as this "Gormenghast". It prompted me instantly to read the Mervyn Peake books on which it is based. The series is amazingly loyal to the books- filled with murder, madness, natural (and unnatural) disasters, seduction, conspiracy and rebellion- and all at the hands of one "diabolically clever little monster", Steerpike. The series boasts a cast that can't be faulted, led by Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, featuring spectacularly convincing and captivating performances by such respected actors as Christopher Lee, Ian Richardson and Stephen Fry (with a reasonably small role in the second half of the series).

Within the first 5-10 minutes, I found myself completely absorbed by the story of this mysterious castle community that seemed to exist completely unaware of logic and rational thought. Ancient rituals and customs, revolving around the absurd centre of it all: The Groan family, headed by Ian Richardson as Lord Groan, the 76th Earl of Gormenghast. Thrown into the brew are his wife (played by Celia Imrie), his demented twin sisters (played by Lynsey Baxter and Zoe Wanamaker), his fanciful daughter Fuchsia (Neve McIntosh), and her Nannie (June Brown). The series begins with the birth of Groan's son Titus, destined to be the 77th Earl.

The highlight of it all, however, is the villainous "Steerpike" (played by the enormously talented Jonathan Rhys-Meyers), who carefully manipulates his way from the lowly and repulsive kitchens, run by the equally repulsive Swelter (played revoltingly well by Richard Griffiths). Jonathan Rhys-Meyers' performance is outstanding, shining brightly against even the brilliant supporting cast. His performance is so incredibly compelling that every time he is on screen you find yourself on the edge of your seat, desperately intrigued by his horribly ambitious nature, unsure whether to empathise with him or despise him.

Also a part of this spectacular cast are John Sessions as Doctor Prunesquallor, a comic and even mildly camp performance that is perfectly complemented by Fiona Shaw as his ridiculous sister, the man-crazed Irma who has a bit of a "thing" for Steerpike.

Agter Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, the most notably outstanding performance is that of Christopher Lee as Mr Flay. Speaking in mono-syllables and monotone, Flay is the devoted manservant to the Earl. He and Swelter are constantly at each others throats, making some interesting tension.

True as this may be, the scenes between Flay and Steerpike are yet more memorable. There is a deep loathing shared between them from very early on in the film, which not only effects the plot considerably but also makes for some incredibly dynamic scenes throughout.

The script, adapted by Malcolm McKay from the Mervyn Peake novels, is appropriately abridged and remains very true to the books. The costuming is superb, going so far as to include a "fat-suit" and giant-soled shoes for Celia Imrie as the imposing Lady Gertrude.

She also dons a prosthetic mask to create several extra chins.

The sets are magnificent: To create the mystical fantasy atmosphere, the castle and village were apparently created as small models and then immersed in water.

The only faults I could identify were the slightly unsatisfying ending (which just didn't quite come together as nicely as I had anticipated), and that the plot becomes a little confused and not quite as compelling towards the end. However, this is a small gripe only, and I still believe it is a modern classic in it's own right.

If you haven't seen it, I strongly recommend it.