masterpiece theatre
UNDER THE GREENWOOD TREE
Airing April 23rd, 2006
Excellent.. now I can finally see it!
don't take any notice of the rating here on imdb, it's a great piece of drama, you'll like it.
shareI just watched it on Masterpiece Theatre, and I LOVED IT! It's one of my new favorite movies now.
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I must be a romantic sap because I really liked this too. I guess I was in the mood for something light and romantic. I must say though, I think Fancy would have been much better off with the vicar. The chemistry between Hawes and Miles was smokin'.
shareWow, this movie is really good. It made me all giddy... hehehe.. Just the thought of it makes me giggle. :)
Masterpiece Theater makes such good movies.. There are too many to name.. I can't wait to see what they put out next!
I disagree, I thought the chemistry between Fancy and Dick is palpable, my heart actually beat faster when I saw them together.
shareI agree, I thought the chemistry between Fancy and Dick was palpable and intense. I could feel it right through my TV screen.
I thought the Parson was a bit of a perv. (though I do like Ben Miles, don't get me wrong). I couldn't help but get the creeps when he made Fancy put his hands on hers at the Harmonium and kept saying "Feel the structure! Beeeauuuutiful structure!"
It's possible that financially and status-wise Fancy would have been better off with the Parson - as it is my understanding that it was often the youngest son of a rich gentleman that was expected to go into the church. But I know I'd rather go for love than for money and status. Dick had great prospects and the ambition and drive to see them through and make his fortune just as Farmer Shinar had.
Dick would be my choice.
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"Uffda!"
I just saw on the Masterpiece Theatre website that Under the Greenwood Tree is going to be broadcast again on November 26! So anyone who hasn't seen it, or didn't get the DVD and wants to see it again, here's your chance! (:
shareOooooo! Thanks for the info!!! :) I do have it on DVD, but I'll take any opportunity to watch it when it's broadcast on Masterpiece! Thanks. :)
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"Uffda!"
I just got to watch it for the first time last night!
It was very difficult to see the parson be assigned to Venice--just the place Fancy wanted most to go. But I have had a life something like the one she must have had with Dickie--a family busines, not much money, lots of children and family and work--and it's a very warm, happy life.
Yeah, the Parson was a nice enough man. But I think that Fancy made the best choice for her - like you said, a warm, happy life! And, when Dick's business expands, who's to say he wouldn't be able to at least take her to Venice! I just bought the book from Amazon and am reading it. I love it! It's really interesting becuase it's told from Dick's point of view.
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That's just what I was going to do today! I had never heard of it before seeing the movie on Sunday, and at work this morning I thought, "I am going to go get that book!"
shareYou definitely have to get it! I am only on about the fourth chapter or so - still in the "Winter" section at the beginning. I had never heard of it either, though I have several of Hardy's other books. This was one of his first ones, so maybe that's why I'd never heard of it. It's real good! I got it on Amazon for about $5.00 - with free shipping bcuase I bought a couple other things. At Borders I saw it for almost $12. Everywhere else I looked, I couldn't find it - Amazon and Border were the only places I saw that carried it.
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Well, I found it at my local library (I'm an ardent fan of libraries!)
I'm still in the Winter section also--Christmas morning; I have to confess, being somewhat impatient, to skipping ahead to the Spring, and then jumping back again. I am enjoying comparing the book to the movie. The book is full of charming details that really illuminate the movie for me.
you're at the exact same spot I was last night! This morning I went to a local Starbucks and read for a couple hours while sipping a pumpkin spice latte. I'm into spring now! I do love those extra details, and it's nice hearing Dick's thoughts.
I went for some tea before I left the store and the barista girl said she noticed I was reading and asked me what it was I was reading. I told her about it and she's going to go check out the book! I told her she has to see the movie too.
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You will probably surpass me, as I don't get a lot of time to read.
However, I'm enjoying the book very much, with all its humor and looks at English country life. I told someone about the book, but recommended viewing the movie also, to help bring the book alive. I found the movie at the library last night, and have watched it twice again. I think it's a wonderfully well-done adaptation of the book.
I finished it last night. It seemed different in that Dick and Fancy had an "understanding" much earlier in the story than in the film, though keeping it secret. Yes, Fancy seemed much more as someone described in another thread, a ninny; however not very different in behavior from a lot of young women. Mr. Shiner was much more aware in the story that Fancy and Dick had something going on, than in the film.
shareThey really did a great job of adapting it! I'm showing the movie to a friend of mine tonight. I've been raving about how wonderful it is and how hot James Murray is. She's already sold on it.
My favourite description so far in the book is how angry Shiner was when they were singing at him. And that it was impossible to hear what Shiner was yelling and that his arms were moving in furious Xs and Ys. I laughed out loud reading that.
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"Uffda!"
I'm obsessed, I'm afraid! I just finished watching the movie again. And I keep talking about it with people; which could be annoying, however, they end up enjoying it also, when they watch it.
And I enjoyed book's description of the Dewey family and their house; it reminds me a lot of my own household!
It's a little frustrating to me that Mr. Shinar and Parson Maybold never realize that it is really Dick Dewey that Fancy loves, not until the very end. But perhaps they are so taken up with their own importance, that they disregard any threat from a lowly tranter's son, no matter how handsome.
As someone said in the DVD's "Making of" feature, he is a magnificent specimen of man.
That "making of" featurette certainly did state it correctly, he is a "magnificent specimen of man". I remember nodding vigorously in agreement when I heard that line - then I promptly had to go and re-watch the river scene.
I'm afraid I too and most likely annoying people with my obsessive talk of the movie/book. But I don't care! It's fantastic and I know once the watch they'll love it!
I'm a little more than halfway through the book now - it just gets better and better! I enjoyed the book's description of the Dick's family as well. They sound like a family it would be fun to be a part of. His brothers are funny. And I do agree, it seems that Shinar and Maybold are consistently clueless and constantly self-absorbed but not in a malicious way at least. I think I might have to watch the film again tonight...
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"Uffda!"
I had some time to read Friday night, as my kids played in the "Kid City" section of one of our museums.
I'm afraid I'm guilty of skimming through many of the descriptions in the book. They were much more leisurely with their descriptions in those days. I suppose it's from not having TV, so needing to picture things well, and not being in such a hurry. The events in the book became a great deal different from the film, as it progressed. But it had a lot of interesting details that helped fill explanations for the characters' feelings.
It is a wonderful movie. The score is beautiful; with the traditional English songs, and that bewitching theme on Dick's love for Fancy. Visually it is an artistically beautiful composition.
And one thing that is curious to me: I've noticed how many movie love scenes are flat boring, no matter how hard the actors seem to be trying to move us (Hayden Christensen kissing Natalie Portman in that Star Wars movie my son was watching the other day--ho hum!).
And then in contrast, the kisses between James Murray and Keeley Hawes! Breath-taking, and over way too quickly.
I am almost done with the book! I must say I do love how Fancy was portrayed in the film alot better. She's very child-like and immature in the book - they never mention her age but I guess her in the book to be around 16 or something judging on how she acts - and I know at least in the States back in those times you had to be at least 16 to teach. I don't know about over there across the pond. She's sketched out much more sympathetically in the film. She makes me quite mad in the book, doesn't treat Dick too well.
And yes, I totally agree - lot of scenes seem forced or just flat as you said in alot of movies, but the scenes between James Murray and Keeley Hawes, wow! Over way to quickly as you said!
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I definitely like Keeley Hawes' portrayal of Fancy. She came across as the "educated lady who danced on the marble floors of Exeter," who was also the country girl she had been born to be. She struck a nice balance between the two; on one hand, she was inexperienced with men, and confused about her feelings, and her feminine heart was touched by the handsome Dick Dewy. On the other hand, she had a strong sense of duty and propriety, despite her passions.
There were times, I wasn't sure just how she felt about Dick. I wish they had shown more time for them to get to know and love each other. I wondered sometimes, if she wasn't just after his body, lol!
LOL I know that pursuing his body would have been part of it for me! ;) Yeah, the character development was a bit flatter in the film than I would have liked - its like the screenwriters read the book, saw how fickle and flighty Fancy was in the book and put all their effort into rounding her out and didn't develop the other suitors as well they could. I wasn't always sure of her motivations though - well, with Dick anyways. She was still kind of cruel to him. But his love for her was more pure than the other men's love for her at least in my opinion.
I just finished the book - loved the development of Dick and how the other suitors weren't such a focal point in the book actually. Fancy really, really, really irritated me and I found myself feelign Dick was MUCH to good for her, but she came to a realization near the end and it was like she all of a sudden grew up and then she was well-matched for him, and I grew to like her.
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I know people praise Keeley Hawes's performances, but I felt James Murray's performance was better. His Dick Dewy was so lively and interesting--you could really understand what he was going through.
I was often mystified at Fancy's indifference towards Dick. I realize that in the book, Fancy would welcome Dick's advances, and then, the next second, seem to be embarrassed by him, and favorable towards Parson Maybold, and, to a lesser, extent, Farmer Shinar. It just seemed that she was rather cold towards him in the film. I suppose she had to be indignant towards Dick, for stealing that kiss in her apartment!
I feel teh exact same way - James performance was much better than hers in my opinion. However I may be biased - though I maintain I am not. I was very confused by her indifference and fickleness when it came to Dick too - but part of me wonders if her character wasn't done a misservice because it was penned by a male author - because the general opinion of women then (and somewhat still today) is that they are fickle and need to be persuaded who to marry. Also, she I think was divided by her love and attraction for/to Dick and her duty to her family. A tough position to be in - but I think even if she was torn she could have treated Dick with much more respect - and, I wonder, if she truly didn't respect him, then she should just cut him loose - because he deserves to be with someone who respects him! It seems by the end of the story, she had come to both love and respect him. And hopefully it would stay that way. I was upset that she was "embarrassed" by his muddy/wet appearance when he came to her after securing that man's business - I thought he looked delicious dripping wet.
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What kind of a rain slicker was that, for he certainly looked "delicious" in it!
It frustrated me that that nice girl, Ann (who was really likable!), had to watch Dick kissing Fancy (for a considerable amount of time!). She didn't deserve that!
But bossy Mr. Maybold, while he did have to marry the woman he had proposed to and the truly handsome Dick Dewy, we didn't get to watch. Even in the book, we got to "witness" Maybold discovering that Fancy was attached to Dick. For some reason, I would find that satisfying.
At your last point - in the book it's slightly different. After she has played the harmonium for the first time, Dick comes to her house and they talk to each other through the open window (Fancy is inside, sitting on the sill, and Dick comes to the window outside). After Dick leaves, she says to herself, "I like Dick, and I love him; but how plain and sorry a man looks in the rain with no umbrella, and wet through". This is right before Parson Maybold comes along and proposes marriage!!
I like how the film has referenced that little scene, even though in the movie Fancy was much harsher and they left each other on a sour note.
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"I'm worth twelve of you, Malfoy" - Neville Longbottom
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