martinoconnell Reviews

Jane Eyre (1983)

Jane Eyre come to life.

[10/10 · 24 November 2019]

This version of Jane Eyre is by far my favourite. The 2006 version is good but this one is much more to the book. All the characters are you imagine them when reading the book. Timothy Dalton is immense as Rocheser while Zellah Clarke is excellent as Jane Eyre. Judy Cornwell is a boo hissable Mrs. Reed while the late Robert James is outstanding as the santctimonous Brokclehurst. Well done to BB on making a drama that will be remembered long after being watched.

The Woman in White (2018)

Outstanding adaptation of a truly great mystery story

[10/10 · 8 October 2019]

I had read the novel but never actually seen an adaptation but this one blew my breath away. Well acted and scripted. The only thing I found strange was how Fosco was portrayed-slim-as opposed to the novel where he is corpulent. That aside I would recommend this adaptation.

Les Misérables (2018–2019)

Faithful for the most part and very well acted by all concerned

[10/10 · 4 February 2019]

I enjoyed the adaptation of Les Mis from the BBC and very well done to Andrew Davies for adapting a behemoth of a book. Javert is shown as the bloodhound he is in the novel. They even include the scene where he writes a letter before he dies. Well done to all concerned. Best version of Les Mis ever.

The Woman in White (2018)

Back to good old fashioned drama

[10/10 · 9 May 2018]

The Woman in White was very entertaining and having read the book I was prepared to be either amazed or disappointed. It was the former. I had only seen one previous adaptation from 1982 but this one was every bit as good. Fosco was coprulent in the novel but in this adaptation they slimmed him down. That aside, it kept very much to the book and yes some things were tweaked here and there, it was still something that I would recommend. 5 episodes was enough. All in all, a brilliant effort and well done to all.

Oliver Twist (1985)

Best version of a true classic.

[10/10 · 31 May 2016]

This version of Oliver Twist is by far and away the best. It manages to feature virtually all the characters major and minor which so many other versions fail to do. The 1948 version is great but this one trumps it. Godfrey James as Bumble carries off the role very well as does Eric Porter who is truly menacing as Fagin. Frank Middlemass as Brownlow is just how one would imagine that character. The two actors play Oliver was a master stroke of casting. I could watch this again and again for the acting alone and the brilliance of the set. Well done to all concerned. Other versions fall wide of the mark but this stays faithful to the story. Even Mrs. Corny is played to a tee by Miriam Margoyles.