"The Scarlet and the Black" (1993) TV mini-series

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

31 October 1993 (UK)

Plot Keywords:

Male Nudity | Female Nudity | TV Mini-Series | Based On Novel

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

Ewan McGregor	...	Julien Sorel (3 episodes, 1993)
Christopher Fulford	...	Napoleon (3 episodes, 1993)
Alice Krige	...	Madame de Renal (3 episodes, 1993)
T.P. McKenna	...	Marquis de la Mole (3 episodes, 1993)
Clive Arrindell	...	Abbé de Frilair (3 episodes, 1993)
Sarah Berger	...	Madame Derville (3 episodes, 1993)
Stratford Johns	...	Abbé Pirard (2 episodes, 1993)
Rachel Weisz	...	Mathilde (2 episodes, 1993)
Crispin Bonham-Carter	...	Comte de Croisenois (2 episodes, 1993)
Jo Ross	...	Marquise de la Mole (2 episodes, 1993)
Christopher Brand	...	Comte Norbert (2 episodes, 1993)
Joe Duttine	...	François (2 episodes, 1993)
Malcolm Sinclair	...	Abbé Castanede (2 episodes, 1993)
Kate Maravan	...	Etienette / ... (2 episodes, 1993)
Michael Attwell	...	Monsieur Valenod / ... (2 episodes, 1993)

Series Directed by
Ben Bolt		(3 episodes, 1993)

Series Writing credits
Stephen Lowe		(3 episodes, 1993)
Stendhal		(3 episodes, 1993)

Series Produced by
Rosalind Wolfes	....	producer (3 episodes, 1993)

Series Cinematography by
John McGlashan		(unknown episodes)

Series Casting by
Michelle Guish		(1 episode, 1993)

Series Makeup Department
Caroline Noble	....	makeup designer (unknown episodes)

Series Production Management
Philippe	....	assistant production manager: France (unknown episodes)

Series Art Department
Mark White	....	construction (unknown episodes, 1993)
Graham Caulfield	....	drapes master (unknown episodes)

Series Sound Department
Simon Dart	....	boom operator (unknown episodes)
Clive Derbyshire	....	sound recordist (unknown episodes)
Adrian Rhodes	....	sound re-recording mixer (unknown episodes)
John Taylor	....	sound recordist (unknown episodes)
Aad Wirtz	....	sound re-recording mixer (unknown episodes)

Series Special Effects by
David Coatsworth	....	lead armourer (3 episodes, 1993)

Series Stunts
Marc Cass	....	stunts (unknown episodes)
Joss Gower	....	stunt performer (unknown episodes)
Lee Sheward	....	stunt double: Ewan Mcgregor (unknown episodes)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Brian Beaumont	....	gaffer (unknown episodes)

Production Companies

• British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Also Known As:

Runtime:

240 min (3 parts)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Argentina:13

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Movie Connections:

Version of The Red and the Black (1997) (TV)

Elegant adaptation of `Rouge et Negre'

In the last decade or so I have begun to think that the BBC has lost its finer edge in making its own productions. However in `Scarlet and Black' the BBC has once again shown it can make some of the best TV material to be found anywhere in the world. And much credit, of course, must go to Ben Bolt.

With just about the best cinematography imaginable, this adaptation of Stendhal's wonderful novel `Rouge et Negre' almost beggars belief. The sets, costumes are perfect, sumptuous. Among TV productions, perhaps only `Queen' (qv) comes anywhere near rivalling this magnificent BBC period piece drama – I do not add `romantic' as that is too trite.

Excellent story-line is well backed up by an extraordinary cast which was evidently inspired for this production. Personally I might have chosen another actor instead of Ewan McGregor for the part of Julien Sorel, but perhaps this opinion is merely tainted by other viewings of this young Scotsman, for example in `Trainspotting'. However, having said that, by no means does he upset anything or anybody in the development of a very complicated story.

I thoroughly recommend this TV film, and also suggest you compare with `La Reine Margot' (qv) with Isabelle Adjani, Virna Lisi and Asia Argento (to put the ladies first) and Daniel Auteuil, Jean-Hugues Anglade, Vincent Perez and Claudio Amendola (The Mission, Nostromo).