The Mayor of
Casterbridge (Acorn Media/1978)
Picture: C+
Sound: C+ Extras: C- Episodes: B
When we last looked at Thomas Hardy’s The Mayor of
Casterbridge, it was the shorter A&E version still posted elsewhere on
this site. It was short and not bad,
but not very satisfying either. I
though the older version from the BBC would be rather similar, but longer. Then we received the Acorn copy and were
automatically intrigued by the fact that no less than Dennis Potter did the
adaptation. This, from a man who did
the two great and famous deconstructive Musical mini-series that also became
feature films: The Singing Detective
and Pennies from Heaven.
As opposed to Ted Whitehead’s teleplay for the later
version, Potter’s take is more leisurely and naturalistic. Once again, the he story involves former
alcoholic Michael Henchard (this time played by Alan Bates) trying to continue
his new life, only to have the past come back to haunt him. This is in the form of a daughter and his
ex-wife. He is now the toast of the
town, insofar as so many people know him, thus the title of the story. However, there is unfinished business and
the story has an interesting way of telling us about it that is not necessarily
predictable. Hardy seems to have had a
knack for carefully showing us the vulnerable, honest sides of his characters,
and some of that shows here. That is
even more apparent in this prior version than the later one.
Split into seven episodes, I found this version more
engaging, complex, naturalistic, realistic and well rounded. Oddly, this does not short change the later
version A&E put out, which was also good, but this is simple better. That I knew the story going in and still had
surprises and David Giles does a terrific directing job. Of course, no version is going to be the
book, but two versions are now available to enjoy and further the classic
status of the book. The great cast also
includes Anna Massey and is yet another triumph of British TV’s last golden
era. I recommend both versions, but if
you have to choose one, go for this one first.
The full screen 1.33 X 1 image was shot on professional
analog PAL videotape and shows its age, but despite slight image defects and
limits, holds up nicely and has some great production design to lens. The Dolby Digital 2.0 is a stereo version of
the original broadcast monophonic sound and cannot compete with the 2001
remake’s Pro Logic surround. However,
Carl Davis’ really good score can and that also made this version more
engaging. Extras here include text of
Hardy’s works (not unlike the A&E set) and cats filmographies that are
brief.
- Nicholas Sheffo
