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November 13, 2006

Jane Eyre. BBC miniseries

October 16, 2006

Jane Eyre. Introduction. Charlotte Brontë.

Author .::. Ninka

Electricity and hot water have been cut off in our house from the very morning today, thus preventing me from doing all usual routine work. That’s why I took a blank notebook and started fulfilling the promise I gave to Mazoo, - writing about Jane Eyre miniseries.

I’ll speak in a roundabout way, beginning with the author. It’s well-known that “Jane Eyre” novel was written by one of three Brontë sisters, to be correct - the eldest one. But not everyone knows that the number of sisters was more. There were five of them not including one brother. Brontë father was a rural pastor during all his life. Their mother, Maria Branwell Brontë, passed away after giving birth to the sixth child. Charlotte was five years than. The children were brought up by their aunt, the father’s sister. No one knows anything about this woman, but it’s a common knowledge that in four years after their mother’s death eight-year old Charlotte together with two elder sisters Maria and Elizabeth and the youngest Emily were sent to the Clergy Daughters’ School. As far as I understand it was a charitable institution.

Due to the conditions in this school, which were very miserable according to the grave consequences, Charlotte becomes the eldest child in the family, as Maria and Elizabeth die of typhus and tuberculosis, getting the infection in the period of studying. Now the following table is hanging on the wall of the building, where the school was located:


One shouldn’t be very penetrating for guessing the source of Jane Eyre’s first part story origin. Brontë aunt became a prototype for Mrs. Reed; Clergy Daughters’ School - Lowood, the elder sister Mary – Helen Burns (the first friend of young Jane Eyre).

The first 94 pages of the novel (I mean the edition I’ve got) became the result of this sorrowful life-experience. Unfortunately all the troubles of a little girl are true.

Still, the point is that just as Jane Eyre Charlotte Brontë endured much at this charitable school. Up to this point the destiny of the author and the main heroine are very much alike, but then different wonders and amazing adventures, finally leading Jane Eyre to happiness, rush into her life; meanwhile Charlotte Brontë’s life goes on in trials and tribulations. Here are brief milestones of her further fortune: at the age of 15 Emily spent two years at Miss Wooler’s Boarding School. There she continued working as a teacher for some time, and then was a governess in a family for three years. When she was 26, together with Emily she left for Brussels in order to study French and German. They say this trip became a turning point for her. All the impressions got by this country-girl in such a great European city, changed her mentality completely. As a consequence, her literal approach (it’s known that all the Brontë children went in for storey-writing from the very childhood) also changed, - not her imagination (as it used to be earlier), but real life-experience became the basis of her novels. Besides, the owner of the pensionnat they lived in turned out to be rather cool; so Charlotte fell in love with him and made him the prototype for Mr. Rochester. In spite of the fact that he was married, had five children and took only a liking to Charlotte, she honored him by immortalizing in the novel. Though, this entire story unfortunately brought her nothing but broken heart.

In 1846 (Charlotte was already 30) the sisters (Charlotte, Emily and Ann, the youngest) published joint collection of poetry under the assumed male names, thus beginning their literary career. I should notice that this book became a failure (only two copies were sold), but nevertheless the start was made. Charlotte was the luckiest, as her Jane Eyre , published in 1847, immediately became a success.
And now I’ll have to tell you about the saddest. As I’ve already written, Bronte sister had a brother, Branwell, who was their beloved and most talented of them. When he grew up, just as his sisters, he had to work as a teacher for earning his living. But evidently the things went all wrong as he got into a pretty mess, took to drinking and opium and died in 1848. In a month after his death Emily died of tuberculosis and in four months the same illness slayed Ann.

This poem was written by Charlotte after Ann’s death. Surely it’s sad. It’s possible to imagine how it all happened.

Charlotte stayed alone with her father, who was broken-down with all the troubles. She continued her literary career, publishing two more novels, - "Shirley" (1848) and “Vilette” (1853). One more novel, “The Professor”, was published in 1857 after her death.

At the age of 39 she got married to a rural pastor, her father’s successor, Mr. Arthur Nicholls. But her happiness didn’t last long. No sooner than in half a year, being pregnant for 5 months, she died of galloping consumption. It happened on March, 3, in 1855.

If you got interested with my muddled narration, you may continue reading yourself:

The Life of Charlotte Bronte by Elizabeth Gaskell.
Brontes Chronology
Jane Eire
Great number of other info about the sisters, their novels and all that jazz

My aim was to describe not the troubles of Charlotte Bronte, but to cover the topic of Jane Eire’s personage appearance and the fact that everything in the novel is great and positive. I hope that tomorrow I’ll write about the novel and serial (which, let me remind you, became the whys and wherefores of my writing).

TO BE CONTINUED. . .

Posted by Xena at 11:39 PM | Comments (0)

August 16, 2006

3 prides and 3-4 prejudices

Author .::. Mazoo
This weekend I’ve been ill. And it’s well known, that when you’re ill, the best thing is to wrap in a muffler and drink tea with lemon, watching some tales continuously.

That’s why “Pride and prejudice” movie of 1940, which together with “Pride and prejudice” of 2005 was long waiting for its fate; and for the dessert, - the 1995 BBC “Pride and prejudice” miniseries (which I’ve watched twice already) were no more shelved.

I was initially prejudiced against the latest version as it’s more than hard to improve cinematic P&P of 1995; besides Keira Knightley, starring as the main heroine Elizabeth Bennet, didn’t impress me much in the Pirates of the Caribbean. Though, from the very beginning I thought that Keira Knightley could turn out to be rather sweet and amiable Miss Bennet. It’s only a pity that the major part of literary sword-plays between Elizabeth and Darcy, which are 90% of the movie’s charm, are absolutely minimized.

As I haven’t recovered completely and it’s excusable for me to spend some time in a trifle way, let’s carry out, so to say, comparative analysis of different versions cast, and what’s more important, the main characters of it. .

Elizabeth Bennet
1940 Greer Garson
1995 Jennifer Ehle
2005 Keira Knightley
Liz Bennet is a girl of a sharp mind and tongue, ironical, sincere and even straightforward. Elizabeth 1940 turned out to be more sarcastic, Lizzie 2005 – more naive. Jennifer Ehle is undoubtedly the best. The imps hide in the eyes of her Elizabeth; meanwhile it’s clearly seen that she’s a person of character. Liz-2005 can make a very pretty smiling face, over which she sometimes switches; but the rest of the time she’s a girl with an ablush face of bonny lass. Liz-1940 is in her element while barbed words-exchange, meanwhile Liz-1995 contrives both to joke and look a real lady; Liz-2005 sometimes straggles to teenage cheek side. In general, the first place is given to Jennifer Ehle.

Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy
1940 – Laurence Olivier
1995 – Colin Firth
2005 – Matthew Macfadyen
I really wanted to look at Mr. Darcy in Laurence Olivier’s performance. Taking into account that the 40-th year movie proved to be very light and funny; so to say, nearly a comedy, Darcy-Olivier is very good. Meanwhile Darcy 2005 is a very handsome young man with a lack of magnetism and inscrutability. His face is mainly wry; the eye-brows are arched; though the moment of mutual intent-looking in the church is surely good. But there’s no doubt that Darcy-1995 in the face of Colin Firth is the best. 5 miniseries episodes gave him the opportunity to show the development of feelings, which were overwhelming his character. In an effort of time-saving both Darcies 1940 and 2005 had to fall in love with Lizzie from the very first meeting, what led to a complete failure of the main intrigue and idea, - who’ll tell me where I can find pride and what for is prejudice in the film now?

Mr. Charles Bingley
Bingley 1940 is just a smart fellow, Bingley-1995 is a smiling kind young man, though being under the thumb of his sister (and friends); but Bingley 2005 smiles so violently, that you begin to worry about the state of his cheeks. I even don’t dare to think of what will happen to Bingley in the next version! But the hairstyle of Bingley 2005 is cool! Bingley 1995 is the best.

Jane Bennet

Jane 1940 and Jane 2005 are very beautiful girls. Perhaps brunettes used to be the beauty standard in the 40-s, meanwhile in 2005 (just as in 1995) a blond was to play the part of beauty. To my mind the actress, playing Jane 1995 is not as beautiful as it is constantly said all the series long, to be more concrete, she’s unconventionally beautiful; but it was she who managed to show Jane’s kind heart and meekness best of all. And the first place is again given to Jane 1995.

George Wickham
Wickham-1940 is such a tom-cat with short moustache. It’s clearly seen that Wickham 1995 is a crook, that’s why it’s not very clear how he manages to charm women; though many people like scoundrels. When I saw Wickham 2005, at first I thought that Orlando Bloom decided to keep Keira Knightley’s company for old times' sake. It turned out that it wasn’t he. In general, the 2005-th is not convincing, as it’s not clear that he’s a baddie.

Mrs. Bennet
All the mummies are alike, but in 1995 version this broody hen is shown the best of all, - so vividly, that there emerges a strong desire to strangle her

Mr. Bennet
The characters of two first films are very much alike; meanwhile Mr. Bennet 2005 in the performance of Donald Sutherland surprised me a bit. Perhaps in order to strengthen the unpleasantness of the Bennets, Mr. Bennet is rather slovenly and is nearly a barfly. The only saving straw is the smile at the very end of the film, but it’s more the advantage of Sutherland’s charisma than the result of some reinterpreting of this character by the producer.

I liked Charlotte in the last version. While in those of 1940 and 1995 it was all the time repeated that “poor Charlotte” had no luck with appearance, rather pretty actresses were playing these parts. In 2005 version she had really no luck.

Lady Catherine of 1940 with her equine face was up right her character, but actually turned out to be a nice old lady, so we don’t take her into account. It’s a trifle thing for Judi Dench from 2005 version to make herself out a queen, but the character with her face should be much cleverer than her lady de Bourgh. But when you notice how the cheeks of Darcy’s aunt are shaking in 1995 movie, it becomes evident that this actress is occupying a fitting place.

Generally “Pride and Prejudice” 2005 turned out to be a sort of agricultural. There are pigs, geese. I understand that it’s an English village, but still the film isn’t about shepherds. The costumes and make-up are also strange. There are plenty of untidy, unshaven and disheveled men at the ball; the girls’ coiffures look as if they came to the ball right from the hayloft. And you know, the beginning of the ball reminded me of Bilbo Begging’s birthday party. And these poor dresses strongly resembling dressing gowns! I won’t even mention that the absence of bosom is usually concealed, if not accentuated at all… It is all vice versa in 1994 version. No one saved on the cloths, a number of bouquet-installations were erected on heads, and necks were all covered with jewellery, fingers - with rings. I do repeat – the film is good and light. It’s a pity they don’t sing there. In BBC series costumes are the best, that’s why it justly got many awards for the costumes (and not only for them), and this very version should be treated as the closest to Jane Austin’s book according to the spirit of time and the plot. And if the films of 1994 and 2005 don’t reveal the problems of characters, the serial discloses the intrigue entirely.

Thus, “Pride and Prejudice” 2005 is worth watching for Keira Knightley fans, while those who love Jane Austin, may watch it only for a tick. The 1940 film deserves watching because of curiosity and just for fun. But all those, who like everything relating to “real English” and Jane Austen creations, - you’re welcome to watch “Pride and Prejudice” 1995 BBC version. Strange as it may seem, but imdb rate recommends the same…

Technorati Tags: Pride and Prejudice Keira KnightleyColin FirthJane Austen

Posted by Xena at 11:42 PM | Comments (0)

February 1, 2006

Treasure Planet

Author.::.Mazoo

Disney Studio’s cartoons have become rather strange. It seems that at first there exists a great idea, perfect animators, inspiration and creativity, but then a somber analytic comes and says: “the market demands 5% of snot, 5% of adventure, 10% is promised to the government in order to support state schools as they have behavior problems, 20% should be given to surfers and hooligans for sales, and the rest should be distributed among the other spheres of national economy in order to satisfy everybody and overreach no one”. As a result, vivid characters shallow, the plot… Well, the plot of “Treasury Planet” cartoon needs no introduction, as it’s a well known “Treasure Island” in cosmic interpretation. And the thing is that even such a safe plot became as flat as the modern monitor.

And there is also such an impression that many characters appeared in the cartoon just for mass. For example, Mountain-man, the captain’s assistant. Perhaps, the creators of the cartoon liked him so much, that they found no strength to throw him away from the scenario. And the only way out was to “exchange” him in the plot without any show of talent. But these are the drawbacks. And they are characteristic not only for this cartoon, but for the most of Disney’s modern creations. I’ve got my private opinion that Disney obtained such“correctness” after his “Lion King” received plenty of Oscars, but I personally disliked this cartoon even despite “akuna matata”.
And now about the advantages. There are plenty of them!
Among them are different wonderful discoveries and tremendously beautiful shots. John Silver is made in such a great way, that it’s impossible not to set eyes on him. He’s just mercury constantly moving. Meanwhile, his character is problematic, as he’s too kind. Unfortunately Jim, the main hero, is extremely ordinal and dull. It’s evident that the main Disney’s positive characters’ mimics should have been patented since “Aladdin” times – we see one and the same expression. So, as usual, the charm of the cartoon is in background characters and scenery. The sails of spaceships are magnificently filled with the sun wind. Huge cosmos-whales are passing by, and the wind of space adventures makes you hair flutter. I liked Billy Bones greatly, even though he appeared just for a pair of minutes. Though Ben Gun is an android, he looks very much like Ben Gun from wonderful Russian cartoon "Treasure Island"; he’s great. And, of course, Morph, who’s a kind of Silver parrot’s cosmo-version, seems to be the best.

Thus, the cartoon is a success. Perhaps, not in general, but in particulars for all 100%! While I was writing the article and selecting the shots, I understood that I’d like to watch some moments once again. So, I can only say – approved! :-)

Posted by Xena at 10:38 PM | Comments (0)

November 18, 2005

First on the Moon

Author.::Maxx

Last month I watched a new film of Sverdlovsk Film Studio "First on the Moon". The plot is about the launch of the first Russian cosmonaut to the Moon, which was prepared and carried out in late 30-s.

The film is great, all those who like conspiracies and intrigues of secret agencies, will find it especially attractive - one is amazed with ease the experienced cinema-men manage to bewilder the inexperienced reader.

According to the rumors, the staff of Sverdlovsk Film Studio, starting to grow blunt because of the lack of worthy work, have been thoroughly falsificating the shots of "secret" chronicle. And the result is tremendous. I forgot to warn my girlfriend that the whole film is just a perfectly made mystification, and after the film I was beaten with umbrella for all the severe spiritual sufferings she had to experience while watching the movie. Till the very end she was absolutely sure that the plot is based on documentary materials and was very embarrassed that she failed to know these historical events.
Meanwhile the film is not convincing at all from the engineering point of view, though (from dilettante's point of view) its cinematographical side is superbly made. My favorite comical moments are the following: the rocket-delivery to the starting point and the process of making "plugs" for the rocket- model.

If you get the opportunity to watch this film on the big screen, I strongly advise to do so.

Official Movie Website (RU)

Posted by Xena at 12:51 PM | Comments (0)

November 3, 2005

COURAGE the COWARDLY DOG

Author.::.Mazoo

If you were lucky to learn about our Egypt adventure, then you know that the only program of the local TV net, because of which we EVEN didn't finish our supper was a cartoon on cartoon network about a pink timid dog. It's "COURAGE the COWARDLY DOG".

So, "in the middle of Nowhere" stands a house, where old Muriel, her balmy old husband Eustace and Muriel's pet - the dog, whose nickname is Courage live.

Of course in such a densely-populated place as "in the middle of Nowhere" one'll surely be trapped by Yety, batty Duck LeQuack or sinister woman appearing from the puddles. And the little dog is saving his favorite Muriel from all the disasters. The dog will surely be glad if some ghost gobbles Eustace, but... what a pity - Muriel is against, that's why the dog also has to save the old banana head, who is constantly yelling "STUPID DOG!!!!!"

P.S. Largely, our desire to obtain some kind of satellite TV is based on two things: Discovery channels and Cartoon Network with COURAGE the COWARDLY DOG cartoon.

COURAGE the COWARDLY DOG (RU)

Posted by Xena at 5:51 PM | Comments (0)