Marie Antoinette

From what I've read about Marie Antoinette the actual story is fairly accurate. Okay there may be some inaccuracies but not anything important. The actors are brilliant and are completely believable, especially the awkward Louis. I felt genuine sadness for these people trapped inside their gilded cages, especially when we can see what is to come at their end. You get a real insight into how these people were just pawns in a power game. I was surprised and extremely pleased at how unPC it is, considering its made by the BBC but for once they put historical accuracy before virtue signalling. I cant see the point in making a historical drama thats not historical. Hope this is a sign of things to come, it's really good!

Period dramas aren't usually our thing but we loved this series. It's interesting at the beginning but gets so good as it goes a long and the characters age up.

The sets were impressive - they just kept going and going during some of the longer tracking shots. The way the show is filmed is really effective.

The characters were brilliant, whether we were loving them or loved to hate them. Some interesting coincidences with the brother drama in the royal family atm. The whole series actually felt like a commentary on the current british monarchy.

I would like to have seen more of what was going on in France at the time, to contrast all the excess and frivolity of the court. But we really enjoyed this look into Marie Antoinette's life and her gilded cage, and will be hooked for more.

If you are looking for historical accuracy you may want to look elsewhere but what Davis has delivered is a wry, intimate depiction of a royal family who, bored of their privilege, find purpose in tearing each other down. It doesn't quite match the production value of the Netflix & co behemoths but the costume and sets more than pull their weight.

Any shortcomings are elevated by a cast full of promise. Led by a fiery performance from Schüle full of charm and sincerity, well supported by her husband who gives a sensitive evolution to the Dauphin turned king. The machiavellian 'spare' and his wife Josephine are highly entertaining in their schemes yet still deliver a sense of pathos, and the Princess Lamballe provides a rare source of compassion in this cold and spiteful court. There are other gems in the ensemble although some characters can feel one-note at points; acceptable in a 2 hour satirical film but less forgivable in an 8-part series.

Cattiness and Gossip are the cornerstones of this Versailles, which whilst fun can become repetitive and feel trivial at points. Ultimately, the main throughline of this series is the romance (or lack of) between the young queen & king and so the potential of civil unrest disturbing these royals and their petty squabbles is an exciting prospect. Fortunately, knowing the fate of this family, the stakes can only be raised considerably in future seasons.

For the sake of Austria, Marie Antoinette is sent to marry The Dauphin, and faces the prospect of becoming The Queen of France, she faces many obstacles in her way.

A truly captivating series from start to finish, I've not enjoyed The BBC's historicals quite as much in recent years, the focus hasn't always been where it should, this however is magnificent.

Visually jaw dropping, it's a lavish production, with incredible visuals, sets, costumes and locations are all flawless.

Every episode has something to offer, you really do see Marie's journey, sadly we all know how this one ends.

Emilia Schüle and Louis Cunningham are equally captivating in their respective roles, she is dazzling, alluring and provocative, he is reserved and subtle, yet strong, the pair combine superbly. James Purefoy is terrific as King Louis.

If you were going to be a little picky, you could say that maybe some of the dialogue was a little ... unexpected let's say, Joseph for example, wonderful, but I'm not sure the script was fitting, it's a minor quo blue though, and perhaps the only criticism I can make.

Roll on Series 2.

9/10.

This seems to be a divisive one.

Personally, I loved it... It had a slow start but I appreciated how much atmosphere was built before the series properly gets going. The first episode almost felt like a horror ... tense & claustrophobic ... whereas the rest of the series gradually becomes lighter, funnier & more energetic.

It is beautifully shot, beautifully dressed & beautifully performed. The young cast are fantastic. I hope to see them in many future things. The score is also stunning!

This series has an unusual tone that's difficult to place... It can often seem like a traditional (but very well done) period drama but then surprises you with a modern flourish or wink to the viewer... It's like The Crown with moments of The Great.

I'm not bothered by any creative licenses with the real history... the show doesn't seem to market itself as a literal account, & I'd rather be entertained than educated in this instance!