THE GOLDEN BOWL - BBC (1972)
Henry James' complex novel of 1904, The Golden Bowl, has been filmed only twice, as a six-part BBC mini-series in 1972, and as a Merchant Ivory film in 2000. Each has its merits, but for me the BBC production is far superior to the film. Primarily, this is because in this production we get massive amounts of James' actual words, in extended dialogue between characters, and as pure prose from the narrator, who here is the supporting character of Bob.
The six parts all time in differently between 40 and 45 minutes each (42, 42, 44, 45, 40, 43) totaling 256 minutes, or 4 hours and 16 minutes. The film version runs 131 minutes, approximately half the running time devoted to the BBC production. As such, the film is devoted primarily to narrative flow, not Jamesian thought and perception.
By the time we are at the one hour mark in the film, we are at the same point where part four of the BBC production ends - one half the film compared to two thirds of the tv series. Much of the leisure of reading the novel lends itself to the BBC production, while the film is concerned with getting the story told.
The BBC cast is impressive. Gayle Hunnicutt is an absolutely gorgeous woman and plays Charlotte with great dignity and sophistication. Daniel Massey as Amerigo is quite likeable and believable and his accent is appropriately Italian. Jill Townsend is also quite beautiful as Maggie and impresses when her formerly vapid characterization turns into a lioness, when the truth of the threat to her marriage becomes known. Barry Morse as Adam is gentleness and kindness personified. Kathleen Byron as the match-making Fanny is appropriately concerned and tactful in trying to ensure that her achievement is not tarnished. Probably best of all is Cyril Cusack, who as Fanny's husband, Bob, shares conversations with her about what may or not be happening in the story, as well as acting as James himself in his role as narrator and confidante to the audience.
The story parallels James next novel, The Wings of the Dove, in many ways. Both novels contain six main characters. In Bowl there are four main characters and two supporting. In Dove there are three main characters and three supporting. In both a couple cannot marry due to financial difficulties. In both the woman schemes to find a way to obtain funds and keep her intended. In both the man is a willing, then later unwilling, dupe, and in both the object of the scheme is a young, innocent woman.
In both works, the scheming woman fails, partly due to the change of heart of her lover as the schemes progress, and partly due to the fact that human behavior is not predictable.
In Bowl the four main characters all possess the same fatal flaw - they behave in ways that are to ensure the happiness of another, not their own. As such, no one really does or says what he/she thinks, only what may be perceived as beneficial to another. In modern psychological terms, this is co-dependency.
This is especially noticeable in the BBC adaptation, where (using James' own dialogue) the characters waltz around what they want to say in ways so elaborate as to say nothing concrete, only "imply" to the trained ear what they really mean. Stellar writing.
Although Dove ends in tragedy, Bowl is saved due to the sudden "education" of Maggie, whose mindless flouncing through life is brought up short when she realizes her marriage is in danger. She must sacrifice her relationship with her father to ensure that her marriage is saved. She does so in a way that keeps all four main characters wrapped in dignity, while manipulating the scenario to her needs. In this way she mirrors Charlotte's attempts at manipulation, but while Charlotte's plans are doomed to failure, Maggie's win out in the end.
For once Maggie acts for herself, not for others, thus breaking the chain of inefficiency that has been binding them all. In this way, she wins independence not only for herself, but for the others as well.
Production values for the BBC production are excellent. As always, the sets and costumes are gorgeous. The videotape source is impeccably bright and crisp. All performances are spot on. This version is the one I recommend. It is available on dvd as part of a Henry James collection, five discs of BBC productions. They are all wonderful and the purchase is well worth the price.
Henry James' complex novel of 1904, The Golden Bowl, has been filmed only twice, as a six-part BBC mini-series in 1972, and as a Merchant Ivory film in 2000. Each has its merits, but for me the BBC production is far superior to the film. Primarily, this is because in this production we get massive amounts of James' actual words, in extended dialogue between characters, and as pure prose from the narrator, who here is the supporting character of Bob.
The six parts all time in differently between 40 and 45 minutes each (42, 42, 44, 45, 40, 43) totaling 256 minutes, or 4 hours and 16 minutes. The film version runs 131 minutes, approximately half the running time devoted to the BBC production. As such, the film is devoted primarily to narrative flow, not Jamesian thought and perception.
By the time we are at the one hour mark in the film, we are at the same point where part four of the BBC production ends - one half the film compared to two thirds of the tv series. Much of the leisure of reading the novel lends itself to the BBC production, while the film is concerned with getting the story told.
The BBC cast is impressive. Gayle Hunnicutt is an absolutely gorgeous woman and plays Charlotte with great dignity and sophistication. Daniel Massey as Amerigo is quite likeable and believable and his accent is appropriately Italian. Jill Townsend is also quite beautiful as Maggie and impresses when her formerly vapid characterization turns into a lioness, when the truth of the threat to her marriage becomes known. Barry Morse as Adam is gentleness and kindness personified. Kathleen Byron as the match-making Fanny is appropriately concerned and tactful in trying to ensure that her achievement is not tarnished. Probably best of all is Cyril Cusack, who as Fanny's husband, Bob, shares conversations with her about what may or not be happening in the story, as well as acting as James himself in his role as narrator and confidante to the audience.
The story parallels James next novel, The Wings of the Dove, in many ways. Both novels contain six main characters. In Bowl there are four main characters and two supporting. In Dove there are three main characters and three supporting. In both a couple cannot marry due to financial difficulties. In both the woman schemes to find a way to obtain funds and keep her intended. In both the man is a willing, then later unwilling, dupe, and in both the object of the scheme is a young, innocent woman.
In both works, the scheming woman fails, partly due to the change of heart of her lover as the schemes progress, and partly due to the fact that human behavior is not predictable.
In Bowl the four main characters all possess the same fatal flaw - they behave in ways that are to ensure the happiness of another, not their own. As such, no one really does or says what he/she thinks, only what may be perceived as beneficial to another. In modern psychological terms, this is co-dependency.
This is especially noticeable in the BBC adaptation, where (using James' own dialogue) the characters waltz around what they want to say in ways so elaborate as to say nothing concrete, only "imply" to the trained ear what they really mean. Stellar writing.
Although Dove ends in tragedy, Bowl is saved due to the sudden "education" of Maggie, whose mindless flouncing through life is brought up short when she realizes her marriage is in danger. She must sacrifice her relationship with her father to ensure that her marriage is saved. She does so in a way that keeps all four main characters wrapped in dignity, while manipulating the scenario to her needs. In this way she mirrors Charlotte's attempts at manipulation, but while Charlotte's plans are doomed to failure, Maggie's win out in the end.
For once Maggie acts for herself, not for others, thus breaking the chain of inefficiency that has been binding them all. In this way, she wins independence not only for herself, but for the others as well.
Production values for the BBC production are excellent. As always, the sets and costumes are gorgeous. The videotape source is impeccably bright and crisp. All performances are spot on. This version is the one I recommend. It is available on dvd as part of a Henry James collection, five discs of BBC productions. They are all wonderful and the purchase is well worth the price.