Three Men in a Boat

Tim Curry, Michael Palin, and Stephen Moore are three Victorian men who are enervated by their strenuous life in London. They decide that a row up to Oxford and back is just the thing, despite the indifference of the dog. They set out, well caparisoned for anything that might arise, but not for anything that actually does.

Tom Stoppard wrote the screenplay for this TV movie. In his own words, he had no idea of which bits were supposed to be funny. The result is an engaging idyll under the direction of Stephen Frears about the happy vagueness of younger sons of the middle class, intermingled with lovely shots of the upper Thames and various monuments to obscure people.

I don't think it is quite as good as the 1956 David Tomblinson film, but what we have here is a charming adaptation of a classic book, that is worthy of a little more praise. True, some(emphasis on the some)of the camera-work is a little flat, but considering that it was made in the 70s, and made for TV, it can be forgiven, and it is rather short. The adaptation does look beautiful, with lovely English scenery and sumptuous costumes. The script is lovely, very lyrical and poetic with phrases such as "Dainty dress of spring", and is very true to the book, which is better admittedly. There is also some humour, especially with the chemistry between the two men and the scene in the Hampton Court Maze. Another mention is when Jerome is reading a book on diseases and convinces himself he has them all. I particularly liked Jerome's exclamation "Why does Harris look like a martyr goose?" It was really nice to see the wonderful Tim Curry in an early role, and I thought he was great as Jerome, and this is an example of a film where Curry shouldn't be dismissed as over the top person as he is made out to be. He is given top notch support by Michael Palin as Harris and Stephen Moore as George. All in all, a relaxing and perfectly watchable adaptation, with a 9/10 from me. Bethany Cox.

Tim Curry was the reason I wanted to see this, and he's hilarious in it, particularly in one scene where he reads a book about diseases and is convinced he has them all. The piece has a very droll quality and a light touch (courtesy of Frears' excellent direction). Well worth seeking out.

For a short TV movie, this has some impressive talent, with direction and writing from, respectively, Stephen Frears and Tom Stoppard, and a surprisingly low key performance from Tim Curry and good ones from Michael Palin and someone I've never heard of.

The book is apparently very popular in England, with a mix of humor, sentimentality and self mocking the English seem particular fond of, and the movie is clearly done by people who feel that fondness towards the source.

Like the book, there are parts that are quite amusing, and like the books, there are parts that are more travelogue. The balance is a little more toward the travelogue here, surprisingly, although these parts drag less in the movie than in the book.

It's a quiet, sly sort of humor and a charming, small, elegantly done movie. It's not as good as the book, but it's very enjoyable.

I just got this from coinfo@classicuktv.co.uk for 8.75 pounds (a bit under $18 incl shipping. Quality is okay, not amazing, but it's an old (1975) TV program. Stars Tim Curry. Screenplay by Tom Stoppard Based on Jerome K Jerome book Three Men In A Boat Shipping took about three weeks Well worth getting for Jerome fans Very funny. Decent production values. Is this ten lines yet? No. Okay: I just got this from coinfo@classicuktv.co.uk for 8.75 pounds (a bit under $18 incl shipping. Quality is okay, not amazing, but it's an old (1975) TV program. Stars Tim Curry. Screenplay by Tom Stoppard Based on Jerome K Jerome book Three Men In A Boat Shipping took about three weeks Well worth getting for Jerome fans Very funny. Decent production values.