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sneakyclevermongols
Reviews
Faeries (1981)
This is one they ought to resurrect.
WOW. Here we are, twenty-five years after "Faeries" first aired, and I thought I'd COMPLETELY hallucinated the experience.
Supposedly it was based upon the 1978 book of the same name, which was basically a collection of paintings by Brian Froud -- the artist who would go on to do the conceptual art for such films as "Labyrinth" and "The Dark Crystal" -- of different types of Faeries, with the illustrations strung together by some narrative text. (I read the book afterward, and it's very enjoyable.) But "Faeries" also borrows several significant characters from actual Irish legend: part of the Fenian Cycle involving Oisín, the son of the hero Fionn mac Cumhal, and his adventures in the "other world" with a Faerie woman named Niamh.
That's a LOT of unexpected depth for an ABC weekend special. Especially considering its short running time, and being mainly geared for children, it packed a narrative wallop, was visually pleasing, and didn't patronize the viewer.
Today, it's an official "rare cartoon"; it just seemed to vanish into thin air after one viewing like one of its namesakes.
Pity.
Cadfael (1994)
Hits and misses.
I agree with "hgallon" on quite a few points.
Any literary adaptation for the large or small screen, owes its existence to the source material. Therefore, it's not merely respectful to retain what made the source material compelling to start with; it's practical. (Acknowledging, of course, the fine adjustments that must occur when translating a story from one medium to another.)
The series achieves both "hits" and "misses".
I too was a little hurt that Cadfael's Welsh origins was omitted. And for several reasons:
Cadfael's Welshness was an important aspect of his character. Anytime the abbey needed a Welsh translator (they WERE on the borderlands!), or the story required someone who knew both the Welsh and the English psyche intimately, Cadfael was called upon. Also, Ms. Peters indicates more then once that his affably earthy, yet bold, "take-no-crap" personality is a direct result to the Celtic culture in which he was brought up.
I hardly think a simple Welsh accent would be beyond the scope of Mr. Jacobi's acting talent. (Ian Holm did it pretty well in "Henry V"...) I wonder why he was not asked to try?
While on the subject, did anyone notice the actor playing Meurig in "Monk's Hood?" He played the lead in "Hedd Wyn" ---- the biopic of poet Ellis Evans. It was nominated for a "Best Foreign Film" Oscar in 1993. DEFINITELY worth checking out: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104403/board/threads/