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The Body in the Library - Two Marples, no waiting
I've been getting the older versions of the Miss Marple series--the ones with Joan Hickson. And while I like Hickson (and I think I was perfectly fine with the other ones I've seen), I really found her version of The Body in the Library flat and dull.
The Hickson version (from my understanding) follows the original story very closely, which means 90% of the actions, impetus, focus and conversations are amongst and filled with men. Lots and lots of men, some of whom I'm not entirely certain I could tell apart. Miss Marple occasionally shows up, sounds like an old biddy and eventually solves the crime. Dolly Bantry worries about her husband and doesn't really do much.
The McEwan version, otoh, keeps the narrative very firmly propelled by Miss Marple and Dolly Bantry. The male detectives are still there, but they get far less focus. There's still a bit of "Miss Marple is sort of dotty, lol", but as she's no longer a background character, the narrative is at pains to mock the concept of her being inept.
They don't really differ much--the latter is a bit more streamlined, there aren't as many male side-characters, they cut the entire "let's mock the retard" thread, and some of the classism seems to have disappeared. There is more sensationalism, though--we get flashbacks to the crimes, and there's more...fanservice (half-naked men displaying their wares at poolside). There's also more color in the sets and backgrounds, though I suspect that has more to do with modern filming techniques and digital coloring than anything else.
They both suffer from repetition of scenes as various people relate the events, though.
So. I've now seen the McEwan version three times. I don't think I'll watch the Hickson version again--at least not without judicious fast-forwarding.
(And McEwan is my favorite Marple, though I like Hickson and Mackenzie, as well. All for slightly different reasons: McEwan is EVIL and awesome; Hickson is cold and calculating; McKenzie is Sophie's great-aunt, the grifter who TAUGHT HER EVERYTHING.)
on another subject, entirely, OH WINAMP WHY.
The Hickson version (from my understanding) follows the original story very closely, which means 90% of the actions, impetus, focus and conversations are amongst and filled with men. Lots and lots of men, some of whom I'm not entirely certain I could tell apart. Miss Marple occasionally shows up, sounds like an old biddy and eventually solves the crime. Dolly Bantry worries about her husband and doesn't really do much.
The McEwan version, otoh, keeps the narrative very firmly propelled by Miss Marple and Dolly Bantry. The male detectives are still there, but they get far less focus. There's still a bit of "Miss Marple is sort of dotty, lol", but as she's no longer a background character, the narrative is at pains to mock the concept of her being inept.
They don't really differ much--the latter is a bit more streamlined, there aren't as many male side-characters, they cut the entire "let's mock the retard" thread, and some of the classism seems to have disappeared. There is more sensationalism, though--we get flashbacks to the crimes, and there's more...fanservice (half-naked men displaying their wares at poolside). There's also more color in the sets and backgrounds, though I suspect that has more to do with modern filming techniques and digital coloring than anything else.
They both suffer from repetition of scenes as various people relate the events, though.
So. I've now seen the McEwan version three times. I don't think I'll watch the Hickson version again--at least not without judicious fast-forwarding.
(And McEwan is my favorite Marple, though I like Hickson and Mackenzie, as well. All for slightly different reasons: McEwan is EVIL and awesome; Hickson is cold and calculating; McKenzie is Sophie's great-aunt, the grifter who TAUGHT HER EVERYTHING.)
on another subject, entirely, OH WINAMP WHY.
no subject
I've watched a couple of the Joan Hickson ones, but I haven't seen The Body in the Library with her. Interesting the differences. I haven't watched more of her though, just because of differences in production. I prefer the Shiny of the McEwan-McKenzie version.
McEwan is EVIL and awesome; Hickson is cold and calculating; McKenzie is Sophie's great-aunt, the grifter who TAUGHT HER EVERYTHING.
Best description EVER. :D