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From Amazon.co.uk
Thackeray's Vanity Fair had already been filmed by the BBC in 1987, when in the costume drama boom which followed the success of Andrew Davis' adaptation of Pride and Prejudice (1995), the Corporation commissioned him to write this new version. It is a tale of driving social ambition against a background of the Napoleonic wars, with Natasha Little, also to be seen in The Clandestine Marriage (1999), making a purposeful Becky Sharp. Virtual newcomer Frances Grey is the more appealing Amelia Sedley, while Nathaniel Parker, here Far From The Madding Crowd (1998), is the foolish Rawdon Crawley. The difficulty in adapting Thackeray--he also wrote the novel on which Kubrick's appropriately cold Barry Lyndon (1974) was based --is that he created unsympathetic characters for the purpose of satirising, "greedy, pompous men". Unlikable heroines do not make for popular television, and the danger is that we come close to empathising with arch-manipulator Becky Sharp. Nevertheless, there is still acid in this version, which stays close to the letter, if not always the spirit of the original. Add to that a decidedly sarcastic music score by Murray Gold, and if Vanity Fair isn't the absolute best of BBC drama, it certainly has a nasty bite. --Gary S. Dalkin
Product Description
Andrew Davies adapts William Thackeray's novel in this 1998 BBC dramatisation. Becky Sharp (Natasha Little) is a scheming governess who tries to seduce her best friend Amelia's (Frances Gray) buffoon of a brother, Jos (Jeremy Swift), in an attempt to climb the social ladder. Becky then turns her attentions to aristocratic bounder Rawdon Crawley, while the mild and meek Amelia marries her childhood sweetheart, George Osborne. However, fate has a few twists in store for both women.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
36 of 36 people found the following review helpful
By Reviewer
Format:DVD
This excellent 6 part miniseries of WM Thackeray's masterpiece really delivers. Natasha Little has the right mixture of beauty and guile to convince as Becky Sharp. Nothing is overplayed in her superb central performance. The rest of the roles are perfectly cast too. Any fan of the book will not be disappointed.
The miniseries is stylishly filmed. Parade-like music captures the mood of the piece wonderfully. Noone quite does period drama like the BBC!
The miniseries is stylishly filmed. Parade-like music captures the mood of the piece wonderfully. Noone quite does period drama like the BBC!
27 of 27 people found the following review helpful
By Bezzer
Format:DVD
I can quite understand why some people don't warm to this adaptation of the book - it's very bold and 'in your face'. That, however, is very much in keeping with the style of the novel. I feel sure that Thackeray would have been delighted with the way his characters have been brought to life! In both the novel and this TV series, they are not so much characters as caricatures - they are designed to be 'over the top' and unrealistic. That is how Thackeray gets across his message - the greed, artificiality and hypocrisy of polite society in the 19th century.
This TV adaptation does indeed have a 'cop out' ending but Thackeray's own treatment of this area was not consistent - he shies away from actually confirming Becky as being guilty of this final crime as though that was a bit too much even for him! I don't think this detracts from the quality of the adaptation at all.
This is a richly filmed, brilliantly acted and hysterically funny series that I think is a 'must see'.
This TV adaptation does indeed have a 'cop out' ending but Thackeray's own treatment of this area was not consistent - he shies away from actually confirming Becky as being guilty of this final crime as though that was a bit too much even for him! I don't think this detracts from the quality of the adaptation at all.
This is a richly filmed, brilliantly acted and hysterically funny series that I think is a 'must see'.
21 of 21 people found the following review helpful
By Four Violets
VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD
Anyone loving the book and wanting a faithful depiction of its events and characters is well advised to stick to this version rather than the more superficial and trivialised version with a (heavily pregnant) Reese Witherspoon.
Natasha Little is Becky Sharp personified, a beautiful but penniless social climber; and who better suited to be the faithful, plodding Dobbin than adorable Philip Glenister.
Becky Sharp is a complex, never entirely likeable character, always in control, always manipulative, as she schemes her way through life in the setting of England in the throes of the Napoleonic Wars; but Natasha Little and the rest of the cast do splendid justice to this timeless classic of love, friendship - and betrayal.
Natasha Little is Becky Sharp personified, a beautiful but penniless social climber; and who better suited to be the faithful, plodding Dobbin than adorable Philip Glenister.
Becky Sharp is a complex, never entirely likeable character, always in control, always manipulative, as she schemes her way through life in the setting of England in the throes of the Napoleonic Wars; but Natasha Little and the rest of the cast do splendid justice to this timeless classic of love, friendship - and betrayal.
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3.9 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Its okay
Its quite a good story and one worth seeing, the story is average as some period drama s can be.
Published 10 days ago by julie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Vanity Fair
No complaints whatever about this product. One of my favourite drama's. Wonderful acting, very faithful to the book. Natasha Little superb.
Published 12 days ago by Mrs Maureen Lee
5.0 out of 5 stars
Vanity Fair
This dvd deserves 5 stars as it is first class ! The acting was flawless , we will be watching again soon !
Published 2 months ago by Lance
2.0 out of 5 stars
Miss Leading Lady
Andrew Davis is one of the best screen writers around but this material-Thackery, is about nasty people using & abusing similar types. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Bombalone
5.0 out of 5 stars
Nice and long drama
It's a great film, the quality of the adaptation is very good. Reminds one that people are just people, and that there's no such thing as a totally negative or positive person. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Ani
4.0 out of 5 stars
Vanity fair
I. Thought this DVD was a classic addaptation. All the cast were marvellous and believable,Becky Sharpe in particular. It was excellent !
Published 3 months ago by curly shirley
2.0 out of 5 stars
OTT Music
I put this DVD on twice and on both occasions I took it back out of the machine.
Why - I couldn't stand the music. Read more
Why - I couldn't stand the music. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Evaorchard
4.0 out of 5 stars
Vanity Fair
This DVD is also being taken to India and has not yet been opened. Therefore I am unable to comment further on this.
Published 5 months ago by Mr. R. Phillips
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Nothing ventured, nothing gained!"
Amazing. Fun, cruel, sweet, ugly... A wonderful production. Every second is a masterpiece, the actors are perfect, the music is great. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Jean
5.0 out of 5 stars
DVD "Vanity Fair"
This was a well filmed and interesting story, which kept us enthralled over several evenings viewing. We will probably look at it again sometime. Very good value from Amazon UK.
Published 12 months ago by JOHND
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