The Pillars of the Earth is a mini-series (8 episodes) based on a thousand page novel by Ken Follett. I would say that I watched these series not only because they became very popular and were well refered, but also because I was very impressed and excited with the cast. I would have wished to see more of Donald Sutherland, but the outstanding performances of actors like Ian McShane and Eddie Redmayne paid for it. But now on to the review…
The story takes place in medieval England in a violent time known as the Anarchy. Trough the episodes we get to know Tom, the Builder (Rufus Sewell) and his family that travel from town to town to try to find work, restoring or building churches. He’s shown to us as vigorous and very visionary man, that with the help of a so-called witch that eventually becomes his lover Ellen (Natalia Wörner) and her son Jack (Eddie Redmayn) he finally finds the chance to fulfill is dream and his promise to his late wife to build an impressive cathedral that will live trough the years.
While this happen, there’s a war building up in a slow pace at first, between princess Maud, the daughter of the previous king and her uncle, King Stephen. Also in between all of this is shown to us the plans and blackmail made by the ambitious, murderous, self-flagellating Bishop Waleran.
Even though the story lines play out over several decades, I did not find it hard to keep track off what was happening and it gave me the chance to really know the characters and have a steady opinion about everyone. Also it was fun to see Jonathan, the baby of Tom and Agnes Builder grow up into a nice sweet boy, wich was a nice contrast to the what was happening in the stories; also seeing the difference from the frightened even childish “I can’t kill that man” Richard of Kingsbridge (brother of Aliena) to a stronger braver man and finally that the quiet and shy Jack turned out to be in the end I think even more visionary that is step-father, Tom.
These series follow the same style as Tudors and Merlin, with very similar sets as the towns and the castles and with the clear view how was very difficult to survive on those times. The wardrobe and the different style of language, showed very well the characters social status and in the general I though that they did a very good job in making it feel authentic. Also I was very inspired by the cathedral itself and the greatness of it. I travel a lot and I have visited numerous of religious places, known by their beauty and majesty, so I did appreciated the work that was done there, because it really was an amazing set and the last scene of the whole series really was incredible.
They are also very graphic, like most historical series theses days with a lot of violence and sex. Still I wouldn’t keep that from stopping me to watch it, I would just be prepared for some blood shed and torture (specially to some of our favourite characters). I actually will dare to say, that even though it wasn’t easy to watch the violent scenes, they just made me feel more for some characters and really make me wish justice to the “bad guys” that inflicted pain on them.
Regardless of the series being predictable and never exactly mouth drop (except the last scene for the image), they were in the over all really good and I didn’t leave my screen for a whole day. As I haven’t read the book, I can’t really say if it was a good or bad adaptation, never the less I enjoyed very much and I do recommend to people who like epic medieval historical sort of things (a little like myself) 😉
I leave you here with the series preview… hope you enjoy!
Lots of love,
Paradise of Words
paradiseofwordsanddreams 