The Go-Between

I am, more often than not, left disappointed when my favourite literary classics are adapted for television or the big screen, and while this BBC production of LP Hartley's novel is not perfect, it does better than most.

The drama begins with a crushed, sorrowful looking older Leo (Jim Broadbent) travelling on a train to Norfolk, the scene of his foreign past. He imagines his younger self, (Jack Hollington) who accuses him of being a "Dull Dog." The older Leo then lays the blame for him being this "creature of ashes and cinder" squarely on the shoulders of his younger self. I found it to be a clever, and moving way of beginning the story.

We then travel back fifty years in time to the scorching summer of 1900 and the characters that would haunt Leo into his old age.

Leo spends his holidays at the country manor of his upper-class friend Marcus. (Samuel Joslin) It is here that he meets the beautiful, but manipulative and selfish Marian, (Joanna Vanderham) who he becomes instantly besotted with. He then becomes a postman of sorts, as he delivers love letters between Marian and her bit of rough, the tenant farmer Ted Burgess. (Ben Batt)

Over the course of the summer, Leo feels increasingly uncomfortable and guilty about ferrying these correspondence, which he now knows aren't just "normal letters," back and forth. The engagement of Marian to the landlord, war hero, and thoroughly decent Trimingham (Stephen Campbell Moore) increases Leo's torment even further.

I found it to be well directed, beautifully shot, with picture perfect locations. The performances were excellent throughout, especially from Master Hollington as young Leo. His acting was subtle, natural, intuitive and he had a charismatic presence that you could not take your eyes off of. One to watch out for I would say.

At times it felt a little rushed, especially at the end where Broadbent returns as Leo, Batt as Marian's grandson, and Vanessa Redgrave plays the part of an older Marian. That is just a small complaint though. Overall, I found it to be a very moving adaptation of my favourite LP Hartley novel

One can understand the BBC's desire to remake "Cider with Rosie" and "Lady Chatterley's Lover", and perhaps even "An Inspector Calls", although the last has at least two fine filmed versions, but their decision to remake "The Go-Between" was a misguided one.

Jospeh Losey's 1971 version is one of those rare occasions in which everything seemed to be right - a top notch cast, beautiful cinematography, a terrific Michel Legrand score and a superb Harold Pinter screenplay. L. P. Hartley himself was moved to tears after seeing the film. So then why remake it? How could it possibly fare in comparison?

This television version does not even begin to compete with its predecessor. Adrian Hodge shows little faith in his audience forgoing any subtlety in his dialogue and general characterisation. The cast are a pale and uncharismatic bunch.

Seek out Hartley's novel and Losey's film - they are masterpieces. Skip this one.

Leo recounts his life, the Summer of 1900 had a huge impact on his life, when as a 12 year old he went to stay with School friend Marcus and his family. Since that Summer Leo has lived in the Shadows of the past. Leo is enchanted by the beautiful Marian, she recognises that Leo is from a humble background, and as they are surrounded by such wealth she takes pity on him and treats him to new clothes. Her motive for doing so though was to sneak off and meet with someone. Whilst out playing Leo heads to the farm owed by Ted Burgess, Leo falls and gets patched up by Ted, Leo offers a favour in return, he is to carry a message back to Marian. Young Leo becomes the go between for the two who are conducting a secret love affair,carrying messages back and forth. Marion's engagement to the Wealthy Viscount Trimingham is announced and the love triangle seems doomed.

A true tale of class and forbidden love, this was a glowing adaptation, it's been a long time since I saw the 70's version, but this was excellent. A definite bright future ahead for young Jack Hollington (Leo) he managed to outshine a totally wonderful cast, he was just incredible, a hugely talented young man. It's brilliant acted by all, but Lesley Manville should get a special mention as the cold Mrs Maudsley.

Favourite scene for me had to be the discussion between Leo and Marian, when as a confused youngster he can't understand why Marian couldn't marry her true love Ted. It was just wonderful.

The scene of Mrs Maudsley bullying Leo into divulging the secret place of assignation between Marian and Ted was tough to watch.

You cannot help watch this and help feel sad for Leo, manipulated by both Marian and Ted, both used him badly, Trimingham treated him very well and knew all along what was going on, never once turning on Leo.

Bravo BBC 9/10

I have rated this film as 8 out of ten because if you ignore the original version it is an excellent production with some good performances but for me nothing can match the original 1971 version which I would give 10 out of 10.

It was an almost impossible task to attempt to improve on the original and if you can't do that, why bother? Unfortunately the new film blatantly tries to copy the 1971 version in several places and inexplicably omits key lines and characters that were in the L.P. Hartley novel.

And why was the new film not filmed in Norfolk? Berkshire is an unconvincing substitute. Railway buffs will also have noticed that the station shown was obviously southern, probably the Bluebell Railway, not at all like a Norfolk station.

A wonderful well cast and moving theme. Leo (Jack Hollington) held centre stage with almost cameo performances from Jim Broadbent and Vanessa Redgrave. Set in 1900, just one minor error on the soundtrack - a Collared Dove cooing in the background on a quiet summer's day - this species of dove didn't arrive in the UK from the Middle East via Europe until the 1960s!