The Masterpiece Theater Romance Collection
Picture: Sound: Extras: Main
Programs:
Anna Karenina C
C+ C B-
Reckless C
B- C-
B-
Wuthering Heights C
B- C- B-
WGBH Boston Video has decided to issue a box set of DVDs
epitomizing the kinds of romantic programming they like to feature, especially
on Masterpiece Theater. The new Masterpiece
Theater Romance Collection is a set that tries to split the difference
between classic works and very modern takes that minimalize the possibilities
of happy endings. That would be in the
form of the mini-series Reckless, presented over three DVDs, plus a
fourth that offers a sequel show.
The original show from 1997 has two surgeons from
different generations (young Robson Green and wise Michael Kitchen) in a
triangle with the elder’s wife (Francesca Annis) in a quasi-comic look at such
an affair. The performances are good,
but the story has to be stretched out a bit into soap opera if not outright
melodrama. Paul Abbott’s teleplay is
just compelling enough to make the whole affair (no pun intended) watchable. The show was popular enough to inspire a
sequel that takes place a year after the results of the original, bringing back
the same actors, which would be the only reason to do it. It was made in 1998. Abbott was the writer again and the new show
is worthy of the original, but they should probably quit now.
Anna Karenina (2000) is the newest of the
titles, offering another version of the oft-filmed Leo Tolstoy literary classic
not to be confused with the pretentious and lame 1997 theatrical film with Sophie
Marceau and Sean Bean few saw. The
version has Helen McCrory in the title role and Kevin (Trainspotting)
McKidd as Count Vronsky. No, this does
not have the distinction that the Great Garbo, Vivien Leigh or Jacqueline
Bisset telefilm versions have, nor does its 240 minutes length make it “closest
to the book”; a claim we hear form those who just flat out hate film or still
think of it as secondary to print. It
is nicely adapted by Allan Cubitt and directed with good pacing by David Blair,
so it is never boring or overlong.
Wuthering Heights (1998) is one that another one
of our critics will review at more length soon, but is obviously another
classic with classic film versions of the Emily Bronte novel already preceding
it. There’s even that great Pat Benatar
record based on the book. The William
Wyler version with Lawrence Olivier, David Niven and Merle Oberon is arguable,
while later versions by distinctive directors like Luis Bunuel and Robert Fuest
are underrated. Orla Brady is Cathy and
Robert Cavanah is Heathcliff in this version of one of the great tales of the
powerful bond of love and how the world is still enough of a wreck to challenge
it. This version adapted by Neil McCay
and directed by David Skynner has naturalism and unknowns in the roles going
for it as an alternative, but it is still restrictive in other ways. Overall, this is a good, if not stunning
version that is not flat like the very disappointing Juliette Binoche/Ralph
Finnes theatrical version from 1992 that actually has Sinead O’Connor as
Bronte! Now there’s a way not to
confuse recent versions.
The aspect ratios vary on each of the titles with Reckless
at 1.33 X 1 for the original shows, 1.66 X 1 for the sequel, as is the case for
Wuthering Heights. That leaves Anna
the lone production at the 1.78 X 1/16 X 9 aspect ratio. The image quality is a little softer on
each than one would like, even if some aspects of a romance program mean they
have to be in diffused light of some kind.
Color is not bad on the titles, though the colors are never
eye-popping. The Dolby Digital 2.0
Stereo on each is not bad, with all but Karenina offering Pro Logic
surrounds that are not bad. Extras on
each unfortunately just weblinks and descriptive video services for the
visually impaired on Anna only.
Overall, The Masterpiece Theater Romance Collection is a fine
gift set that covers the possibilities then and now for the genre.
- Nicholas Sheffo
