'Tom Brown's School Days', one of the best depictions of schoolboy life in literature, was previously adapted in 1940, 1951 and 1971. The best of the four versions is the one from 1971 (the only really great one from personal opinion), though all four are worth watching in their own way.
2005's version does have many things to recommend it but falls short. It does suffer most from feeling too short and too rushed, out of the four adaptations it is the blandest and the meaning of the book is not as well established.
Best asset? Definitely the acting, with the one exception being Harry Mitchell as East (out of the four adaptations, Mitchell's comes off as the least effective), wooden and lifeless. Stephen Fry however is exceptional in a sincere and suitably both strict and sympathetic Dr. Arnold, while Joe Beattie is an intimidating and almost psychopathic Flashman.
In the pivotal role of Tom, an interesting and compelling character due to focusing on him, Alex Pettyfer conveys Tom's courage, fear and loneliness more than adeptly. Clive Standen is a superb Brooke as well, and while he suffers from George Arthur being underwritten and underdeveloped Harry Smith portrays him moving.
Apart from some intrusive, unnecessary and somewhat amateurish "realistic" camera work, 'Tom Brown's Schooldays' is very handsomely mounted and evocative. The music is both searing and understated, and the direction does have more character than that of the 1940 and 1951 versions.
Scripting is inconsistent. Sometimes it's thought-provoking, humorous and affecting, but at other times it's flat and bland as a result of so much of the book being stripped down and with too much changed. The story is involving, and has many charming, moving and lively moments, with Dr Arnold's scene and the depiction of Flashman's bullying being especially well realised.
Not all of it comes off as well as it should, much more could have been done with Flashman's comeuppance, which agree was glossed over and didn't feel punishing enough considering the character's reprehensible actions. Plus because we don't get to know George his death feels meaningless and doesn't leave the viewer as moved as it should have done, actually found the change of ending pointless and cold.
All in all, has many good elements but with some big weaknesses as well. 6/10 Bethany Cox
2005's version does have many things to recommend it but falls short. It does suffer most from feeling too short and too rushed, out of the four adaptations it is the blandest and the meaning of the book is not as well established.
Best asset? Definitely the acting, with the one exception being Harry Mitchell as East (out of the four adaptations, Mitchell's comes off as the least effective), wooden and lifeless. Stephen Fry however is exceptional in a sincere and suitably both strict and sympathetic Dr. Arnold, while Joe Beattie is an intimidating and almost psychopathic Flashman.
In the pivotal role of Tom, an interesting and compelling character due to focusing on him, Alex Pettyfer conveys Tom's courage, fear and loneliness more than adeptly. Clive Standen is a superb Brooke as well, and while he suffers from George Arthur being underwritten and underdeveloped Harry Smith portrays him moving.
Apart from some intrusive, unnecessary and somewhat amateurish "realistic" camera work, 'Tom Brown's Schooldays' is very handsomely mounted and evocative. The music is both searing and understated, and the direction does have more character than that of the 1940 and 1951 versions.
Scripting is inconsistent. Sometimes it's thought-provoking, humorous and affecting, but at other times it's flat and bland as a result of so much of the book being stripped down and with too much changed. The story is involving, and has many charming, moving and lively moments, with Dr Arnold's scene and the depiction of Flashman's bullying being especially well realised.
Not all of it comes off as well as it should, much more could have been done with Flashman's comeuppance, which agree was glossed over and didn't feel punishing enough considering the character's reprehensible actions. Plus because we don't get to know George his death feels meaningless and doesn't leave the viewer as moved as it should have done, actually found the change of ending pointless and cold.
All in all, has many good elements but with some big weaknesses as well. 6/10 Bethany Cox