Please read the book! To be honest this isn't a bad an adaptation, but the ridiculous 'flashbacks' to Helen's time with her brutal husband are confusing to those who haven't read the book - they make no sense. The joy of the book is Helen's landing at the hall, and the mystery surrounding her. We know nothing about her - but the script writer here felt the need to slip little snippets in. Why? Also the dialogue is much more humorous, with Fergus having some great lines.. Helen's relationship with Frederick Lawrence isn't revealed until Gilbert reads her diary. In fact Frederick is so badly assaulted and left for dead by a jealous Gilbert, but no-one knew who the culprit was (except Gilbert, Frederick and us readers).
It is a very slow drama, with unnecessary shots of Helen at her easel - who wants to see that and why aren't we seeing the fantastic views that she is looking at??? Also some of the spinning camera work was making me feel sick.
The book is wonderful and when I first read it, I had no idea what it was about - the first part is written by Gilbert who tells of us of Helen's arrival. The second part is Helen's diary, telling us of her abusive, drunken husband, her leaving him, and her arrival at the hall. The silly flashbacks were absolutely ridiculous.
I do hope someone takes on another adaptation- we've had too many Jane Eyre's and W. Heights - Wildfell Hall needs to be filmed again.
Love the Yorkshire accent and James Purefoy. Oh and be aware the awful 'singing' noisy music at the beginning and in parts throughout the drama, they are very, very annoying and not in keeping with a Victorian drama. Thank goodness for the mute button.
It is a very slow drama, with unnecessary shots of Helen at her easel - who wants to see that and why aren't we seeing the fantastic views that she is looking at??? Also some of the spinning camera work was making me feel sick.
The book is wonderful and when I first read it, I had no idea what it was about - the first part is written by Gilbert who tells of us of Helen's arrival. The second part is Helen's diary, telling us of her abusive, drunken husband, her leaving him, and her arrival at the hall. The silly flashbacks were absolutely ridiculous.
I do hope someone takes on another adaptation- we've had too many Jane Eyre's and W. Heights - Wildfell Hall needs to be filmed again.
Love the Yorkshire accent and James Purefoy. Oh and be aware the awful 'singing' noisy music at the beginning and in parts throughout the drama, they are very, very annoying and not in keeping with a Victorian drama. Thank goodness for the mute button.