Overall *reasonably* well done. An - 'authentic' - production. Well produced and directed and acted. Costumes and period atmosphere captured and presented well. I felt the script was good but somewhat lacking and slow, although it did give (in some ways unnecessarily) an insight to the backgrounds, inadequacies and shortcomings of the main four protagonists. The original movie didn't venture so far into personal backgrounds... it wasn't necessary with its sharp and captivating pace.
Interesting that *this* screenplay was written by a woman, and it does tactfully shine through although I can't quite (right now) put my finger on examples of exactly what that flavour is.
Although the acting, I thought, was pretty truthful... I don't think it was a patch on Tyrone Power, Charles Laughton, Marlene Dietrich and Elsa Lanchester (the latter, interestingly, Laughton's real-life wife at the time), and the dynamics between the characters.
There was a blandness that the original didn't have. The fullness and dominance of Sir Wilfrid Roberts (Charles Laughton) in the original 1957 movie was somewhat missing in this TV adaptation. In fact, the character's name seems to have been changed for this... Heaven knows why! Andrea Riseborough (Romaine) and Billy Howle (Leonard Vole) were very, very good... but perhaps too good? Liars (particularly in serious cases such as murder) are rarely good as an actor/actress... regardless of their thespian training. However, for me, Dietrich captured the character more securely - although with a slightly different slant - and with a more 'devil-may-care' and arrogant attitude.
Now, not having read the book, it could be argued that my review is slightly myopic. However, I can only compare with the greatness of the original movie, direction, production, screenplay and actors and actresses therein.
The final 'twist' was somewhat a disappointment. It just didn't seem to have the cutting edge of the original movie.
Overall, a good adaptation hindered by a languid and plodding pace. Very disappointed that it failed captivate me and make me incessantly keep watching. I was easily distracted by external events such as messages coming in on my 'phone... and had to rewind more than a few times.
The original 1957 movie was a masterpiece. This wasn't.
Interesting that *this* screenplay was written by a woman, and it does tactfully shine through although I can't quite (right now) put my finger on examples of exactly what that flavour is.
Although the acting, I thought, was pretty truthful... I don't think it was a patch on Tyrone Power, Charles Laughton, Marlene Dietrich and Elsa Lanchester (the latter, interestingly, Laughton's real-life wife at the time), and the dynamics between the characters.
There was a blandness that the original didn't have. The fullness and dominance of Sir Wilfrid Roberts (Charles Laughton) in the original 1957 movie was somewhat missing in this TV adaptation. In fact, the character's name seems to have been changed for this... Heaven knows why! Andrea Riseborough (Romaine) and Billy Howle (Leonard Vole) were very, very good... but perhaps too good? Liars (particularly in serious cases such as murder) are rarely good as an actor/actress... regardless of their thespian training. However, for me, Dietrich captured the character more securely - although with a slightly different slant - and with a more 'devil-may-care' and arrogant attitude.
Now, not having read the book, it could be argued that my review is slightly myopic. However, I can only compare with the greatness of the original movie, direction, production, screenplay and actors and actresses therein.
The final 'twist' was somewhat a disappointment. It just didn't seem to have the cutting edge of the original movie.
Overall, a good adaptation hindered by a languid and plodding pace. Very disappointed that it failed captivate me and make me incessantly keep watching. I was easily distracted by external events such as messages coming in on my 'phone... and had to rewind more than a few times.
The original 1957 movie was a masterpiece. This wasn't.