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Mostly I avoided the television Wednesday, what with the glut of self-congratulatory attempts at creating a 'best' commemoration of the tragedy of last September. (The only good response, aside from not altering programming at all, was what lamentably few went with: a simple, silent name-by-name listing of victims' names, or going entirely off-air.) But having missed the TV miniseries/movie of The Mists of Avalon the first time it aired, I decided to take advantage of TNT's rebroadcast.
Well. It didn't do justice to the novel, of course, no film ever can (Peter Jackson looks to be coming as close as possible with LOTR, but there's no way to know whether he'll be able to keep it at the level of FOTR for another two films), but it's not nearly as disappointing as I was afraid it might be. The casting was inspired, brilliant, and many other laudatory superlatives. Indeed, the entire film was a visual treat, from the actors to the costuming and makeup to the scenery, choreography, and admirably subtle visual effects. Loreena McKennit's unmistakable music was used deftly in the score. And I was pleased by how the pagan elements of the story remained mostly intact without being transformed into Hollywitchcraft.
On the whole, it was very enjoyable... but I can't in good conscience recommend it to anyone who hasn't read the book and plans never to. Most of the changes and omissions were, considering the difficulties involved in transforming an 800+ page novel into 8 hours of television, relatively minor, but cumulatively they did diminish the story. A marvellous visual aid, and eye-candy to be sure, but no replacement for Marion Zimmer Bradley's tale.
I particularly missed the younger Merlin, who was cut completely for the miniseries; I loved his character as well as the notion of Merlin as a title rather than a given name, and the parts of the plot that were absented with him were really too broad in scope, too much a part of the whole story, to have been cut.
I was also deeply disappointed (as I'm sure will surprise no one) that the slashiness of the relationship between Arthur and Lancelot was reduced from text-level to all but nonexistent. If I hadn't been waiting for it, in fact, I probably would've missed what was there altogether. What was there consisted entirely of dialogue I believe was taken closely from the novel. (I haven't actually reread Mists in years, so I can't say for sure whose dialogue it was.) Not an eyefuck was in sight, though.
On the other hand...
Okay, "professional" wrestling was a guilty pleasure of my childhood, but I gave it up long ago. (Quit snickering.) Long ago as in Andre the Giant was alive and in the ring with Terry Hogan last time I watched. Long, long ago when wrestling was slightly less sleazy.
But ads that ran during Mists of Avalon inform me that during tonight's season premiere of "WWE Smackdown" a pair of male wrestlers -- bleached-blond steroidally-muscled boys who look to be a "tag team" -- are going to get engaged when one proposes to the other in the ring.
Hunh.
I'm sure the World Wrestling soap-opera-for-rednecked-men script has changed little enough over the years that this is just one scene in a well-planned arc that will see them estranged, if not at one anothers' throats, at least once before the commitment ceremony or whatever actually takes place. (Or maybe while I haven't been watching wrestling has become "real" and these two actually love each other and just want to share their happiness with their fans.) Just the same, there's a halfway decent chance I may actually watch. Hunh.
There were also some Public Service Announcements featuring scenarios like Christians having to worship in secret, and a smuggler being caught during a traffic-stop search with contraband newspapers. While I applaud whoever's behind the campaign, particularly for airing them when American civil liberties are so gravely threatened, unfortunately they preach too much to the choir. Very few people who aren't already aware of the danger are going to understand what the spots are about. Never underestimate the power of willful ignorance.
Well. It didn't do justice to the novel, of course, no film ever can (Peter Jackson looks to be coming as close as possible with LOTR, but there's no way to know whether he'll be able to keep it at the level of FOTR for another two films), but it's not nearly as disappointing as I was afraid it might be. The casting was inspired, brilliant, and many other laudatory superlatives. Indeed, the entire film was a visual treat, from the actors to the costuming and makeup to the scenery, choreography, and admirably subtle visual effects. Loreena McKennit's unmistakable music was used deftly in the score. And I was pleased by how the pagan elements of the story remained mostly intact without being transformed into Hollywitchcraft.
On the whole, it was very enjoyable... but I can't in good conscience recommend it to anyone who hasn't read the book and plans never to. Most of the changes and omissions were, considering the difficulties involved in transforming an 800+ page novel into 8 hours of television, relatively minor, but cumulatively they did diminish the story. A marvellous visual aid, and eye-candy to be sure, but no replacement for Marion Zimmer Bradley's tale.
I particularly missed the younger Merlin, who was cut completely for the miniseries; I loved his character as well as the notion of Merlin as a title rather than a given name, and the parts of the plot that were absented with him were really too broad in scope, too much a part of the whole story, to have been cut.
I was also deeply disappointed (as I'm sure will surprise no one) that the slashiness of the relationship between Arthur and Lancelot was reduced from text-level to all but nonexistent. If I hadn't been waiting for it, in fact, I probably would've missed what was there altogether. What was there consisted entirely of dialogue I believe was taken closely from the novel. (I haven't actually reread Mists in years, so I can't say for sure whose dialogue it was.) Not an eyefuck was in sight, though.
On the other hand...
Okay, "professional" wrestling was a guilty pleasure of my childhood, but I gave it up long ago. (Quit snickering.) Long ago as in Andre the Giant was alive and in the ring with Terry Hogan last time I watched. Long, long ago when wrestling was slightly less sleazy.
But ads that ran during Mists of Avalon inform me that during tonight's season premiere of "WWE Smackdown" a pair of male wrestlers -- bleached-blond steroidally-muscled boys who look to be a "tag team" -- are going to get engaged when one proposes to the other in the ring.
Hunh.
I'm sure the World Wrestling soap-opera-for-rednecked-men script has changed little enough over the years that this is just one scene in a well-planned arc that will see them estranged, if not at one anothers' throats, at least once before the commitment ceremony or whatever actually takes place. (Or maybe while I haven't been watching wrestling has become "real" and these two actually love each other and just want to share their happiness with their fans.) Just the same, there's a halfway decent chance I may actually watch. Hunh.
There were also some Public Service Announcements featuring scenarios like Christians having to worship in secret, and a smuggler being caught during a traffic-stop search with contraband newspapers. While I applaud whoever's behind the campaign, particularly for airing them when American civil liberties are so gravely threatened, unfortunately they preach too much to the choir. Very few people who aren't already aware of the danger are going to understand what the spots are about. Never underestimate the power of willful ignorance.
