I remember watching this the week it came out in the local cinema. The atmosphere brought to life was perfect, so was every little detail. Because aesthetics count in films, no matter what anyone says today.
I’m watching the mini-series at the moment. There are some good things. I like Lucy Boynton’s interpretation. But yet again, I have endless problems with modern production values. Why is Blakely in an open coffin? This just does not happen in England, or at least, in the 1950s Church of England Home Counties? Why do they have to give everything and anything a ‘twist’? Dance with a Stranger (1985), on the other hand is superb.
I agree about the twist, Agatha Christie has suffered greatly from this! The acting of Lucy Boynton is excellent. But she feels like a 2025 woman, unlike Miranda Richardson, who was rooted in time.
I completely get that, and agree- altho' I suspect Lucy Boynton's interpretation is a more accurate depiction of the real Ruth Ellis- certainly in terms of voice. But yes, remember The Pale Horse, with Mister Mumble, the otherwise excellent Rufus Sewell? His antique shop! Far, far too 21st century! Not right at all.
I have a soft spot for Rufus Sewell, he is wonderful in the Diplomat, but the plot was bizarre! Entirely missed the point. Which was the relation between theater and reality, Christie even gave staging advice for Macbeth there, none of that was in the adaptation. And the role of Ginger was altered beyond recognition. But I digress. The Shop was way too eclectic for that era. Agreed!
Thank you. Really appreciate that, makes it worthwhile. I spent most of yesterday writing it, and all that stuff about Penn, gin and the Bull at Gerrards Cross just came- from somewhere.
Nice article about a film I loved at the time. Appreciated being reminded of how good British film was then. Though I’m English I saw it in New York. We came out of the cinema spent and speechless.
I absolutely love Dance With A Stranger too. It's definitely in my top 10 films of all time. Great to read your writing as always. The beauty of every layer of the production of the film is haunting. Brilliantly well cast, and the quality and subtlety of the acting is something all of its own. Such a shame that it isn't readily available to stream any more. I would love to see it on the big screen somewhere one day.
I find this film almost too painful, can I bear to watch it again? But I think I can tempt my husband who used to live in the Turville valley and also once owned a Jag xk...150, but still!
Hey Luke, loved your piece and I was obsessed with this film. I sent it to Rupert and he loved it too. Also discovered (how did I not know this?!) that my dearest schoolfriend manages the DWAS Trust.
And though your source material is pretty foolproof, too, you've certainly enhanced it several times over, so for any out there as yet unenlightened by the existence of this truly great film, and there are, strangely, many people who haven't yet seen it, your excellent piece will surely have them out in droves to watch it...but where?!
Scandalous that it's so hard to find, truly scandalous. For it is one of the greatest British films made in my lifetime, which I suspect is similar to yours, so its scarcity is really a mystery to me.
And what can be said about Miranda Richardson that hasn't already been said? She is, in my less than humble, our Meryl Streep. Not as famous or prolific, but she can match the great Meryl chops for chops. Should be greatly more appreciated, but she clearly has no use for fame or awards, which might explain her lower profile. And to think this was her feature film debut...!
Throw in the terrific Shelagh Delaney script, another couple of terrific Rupert Everett and Ian Holm performances, and, as you say, Mike Newell's finest direcing, and this film simply couldn't fail.
I'm glad you said that. Watched it again a few days back, and then tried to find it on digital download. What's going on? Where on earth is it? So strange! There's a really blurry video copy on that Russian social media website, and a few snatches on YouTube. But that's it. You know that bit, the long shot when they drive across a misty Chiltern Valley (either Turville or Fingest?)- it's really beautiful and VERY English. Coupled with the very Eighties elegiac music from Michael Storey, I think. Interesting that Mike Newall then got none other than Richard Rodney Bennett to write the music for Four Weddings- a similar thing going on.
Totally agree with you about Miranda R being perfect in this and as Pamela Widmerpool in Dance to Music of time - in fact all the casting is great in that adaptation. Might be time for a re-watch. Thanks for a very enjoyable article!
I need to do that underrated television adaptation, which I like very much indeed, especially Nick Jenkins and Simon Russell Beale as the ghastly Widmerpool. The last bit on the station platform always makes me blub. The casting is spot on! And Peter Templer and the Maidenhead Mock Tudor house! It's not perfect, of course, 'cos trying to condense 12 sophisticated volumes into a four hour? television programme is nigh impossible. But, still- it's bloody good.
Widmerpool is ghastly and SRB is exactly how I pictured him when I read the books. I particularly like Jonathan Cake as Templar - I think Powell writes something about him ‘wanting to get as much fun out of life as possible’ and he has that perfectly. But yeah, 12 books in 4 hours - there’s probably some reasonable budget based reason for this, but it is a shame to condense. If I wasn’t such a slow reader I’d read them over each year.
I remember watching this the week it came out in the local cinema. The atmosphere brought to life was perfect, so was every little detail. Because aesthetics count in films, no matter what anyone says today.
The recent mini series did not even come close.
I’m watching the mini-series at the moment. There are some good things. I like Lucy Boynton’s interpretation. But yet again, I have endless problems with modern production values. Why is Blakely in an open coffin? This just does not happen in England, or at least, in the 1950s Church of England Home Counties? Why do they have to give everything and anything a ‘twist’? Dance with a Stranger (1985), on the other hand is superb.
I agree about the twist, Agatha Christie has suffered greatly from this! The acting of Lucy Boynton is excellent. But she feels like a 2025 woman, unlike Miranda Richardson, who was rooted in time.
I completely get that, and agree- altho' I suspect Lucy Boynton's interpretation is a more accurate depiction of the real Ruth Ellis- certainly in terms of voice. But yes, remember The Pale Horse, with Mister Mumble, the otherwise excellent Rufus Sewell? His antique shop! Far, far too 21st century! Not right at all.
I have a soft spot for Rufus Sewell, he is wonderful in the Diplomat, but the plot was bizarre! Entirely missed the point. Which was the relation between theater and reality, Christie even gave staging advice for Macbeth there, none of that was in the adaptation. And the role of Ginger was altered beyond recognition. But I digress. The Shop was way too eclectic for that era. Agreed!
It had walls in that uber trendy, almost black Farrow & Ball dark blue- just not right for the 50s or 60s.
Miranda R's finest hour (and a half)
Thanks for the Easter present.
Love your writing.
Thank you. Really appreciate that, makes it worthwhile. I spent most of yesterday writing it, and all that stuff about Penn, gin and the Bull at Gerrards Cross just came- from somewhere.
Nice article about a film I loved at the time. Appreciated being reminded of how good British film was then. Though I’m English I saw it in New York. We came out of the cinema spent and speechless.
I absolutely love Dance With A Stranger too. It's definitely in my top 10 films of all time. Great to read your writing as always. The beauty of every layer of the production of the film is haunting. Brilliantly well cast, and the quality and subtlety of the acting is something all of its own. Such a shame that it isn't readily available to stream any more. I would love to see it on the big screen somewhere one day.
I find this film almost too painful, can I bear to watch it again? But I think I can tempt my husband who used to live in the Turville valley and also once owned a Jag xk...150, but still!
Hey Luke, loved your piece and I was obsessed with this film. I sent it to Rupert and he loved it too. Also discovered (how did I not know this?!) that my dearest schoolfriend manages the DWAS Trust.
That's incredibly kind. Thank you.
Another one from the past. Thanks!
Glorious. Thank you Luke.
Terrific as ever, Luke!
And though your source material is pretty foolproof, too, you've certainly enhanced it several times over, so for any out there as yet unenlightened by the existence of this truly great film, and there are, strangely, many people who haven't yet seen it, your excellent piece will surely have them out in droves to watch it...but where?!
Scandalous that it's so hard to find, truly scandalous. For it is one of the greatest British films made in my lifetime, which I suspect is similar to yours, so its scarcity is really a mystery to me.
And what can be said about Miranda Richardson that hasn't already been said? She is, in my less than humble, our Meryl Streep. Not as famous or prolific, but she can match the great Meryl chops for chops. Should be greatly more appreciated, but she clearly has no use for fame or awards, which might explain her lower profile. And to think this was her feature film debut...!
Throw in the terrific Shelagh Delaney script, another couple of terrific Rupert Everett and Ian Holm performances, and, as you say, Mike Newell's finest direcing, and this film simply couldn't fail.
Is it obvious I'm a fan? Ha-ha!
Thanks for this, Luke; you've really made my day!
I'm glad you said that. Watched it again a few days back, and then tried to find it on digital download. What's going on? Where on earth is it? So strange! There's a really blurry video copy on that Russian social media website, and a few snatches on YouTube. But that's it. You know that bit, the long shot when they drive across a misty Chiltern Valley (either Turville or Fingest?)- it's really beautiful and VERY English. Coupled with the very Eighties elegiac music from Michael Storey, I think. Interesting that Mike Newall then got none other than Richard Rodney Bennett to write the music for Four Weddings- a similar thing going on.
And doesn't Miranda look like Marlene in that shot????
Totally agree with you about Miranda R being perfect in this and as Pamela Widmerpool in Dance to Music of time - in fact all the casting is great in that adaptation. Might be time for a re-watch. Thanks for a very enjoyable article!
I need to do that underrated television adaptation, which I like very much indeed, especially Nick Jenkins and Simon Russell Beale as the ghastly Widmerpool. The last bit on the station platform always makes me blub. The casting is spot on! And Peter Templer and the Maidenhead Mock Tudor house! It's not perfect, of course, 'cos trying to condense 12 sophisticated volumes into a four hour? television programme is nigh impossible. But, still- it's bloody good.
Widmerpool is ghastly and SRB is exactly how I pictured him when I read the books. I particularly like Jonathan Cake as Templar - I think Powell writes something about him ‘wanting to get as much fun out of life as possible’ and he has that perfectly. But yeah, 12 books in 4 hours - there’s probably some reasonable budget based reason for this, but it is a shame to condense. If I wasn’t such a slow reader I’d read them over each year.