jdgrapho

I cannot possibly understand why the BBC have never repeated this excellent dramatisation of my favourite novel in the English language. It defies explanation. The faithful adaptation, casting, photography and music have haunted me too for 30 years. I can find only one comment on the entire internet and it is the review which precedes mine. Let us once again enjoy this elegant drama series.

The truth of this book, the rich symbolism, the colours and expressions, the quality of the filming, the beautiful settings, the atmosphere, the acting and the eloquently spoken lines from a rich assembly of some of our finest actors deserves to live and breathe in our lives again. Sorry, I was forced to write at least ten lines so this second paragraph is froth and frills just to comply!

I absolutely love She Devil and Patricia Hodge and bought this thinking I would be in for a treat. How disappointing. I just didn't feel drawn in to this strange world with its unrealistic characters.

The clones seemed ridiculous cardboard things and May himself seemed to be hamming up his performance. Patricia Hodge was convincing as Joanna but all the other characters, including the detective played by the absolutely wonderful Billie Whitelaw, were plain silly, like Carry On stereotypes.

I wondered, towards the end, whether it's supposed to be a comedy rather than a chilling drama. I shan't bother to keep it on my shelf with my other dvds as I shan't watch it ever again.