Jamaica Inn

I was about to make an appointment for a hearing Test.
Thank you Gransnet you have put my mind at rest.

Drama makers seem to completely miss the point that a novel that was able to grab the imagination of young girls (I think I was 14) within a few pages needs to move at a good pace when translated to television. It's a complete cop out to rely on 'atmospherics'.

Daphne du Maurier's work is dated now but I didn't think Jamaica Inn was all that dark when I read it. Maybe I was just itching to get to the romantic bits.

I can't remember her name but I think the girl who played Sybil in Downton Abbey is well cast.

I wonder if they'll be able to rectify it by tonight? I'll give it a few minutes, in the hope it's a totally different experience from last night.

I'm a bit relieved by all of these posts. I thought I was going deaf! Also at one point there appeared to be a rather tatty volleyball net just outside the inn. I suppose the smugglers needed to keep fit somehow. Don't expect I'll bother with the next episodes.

I gave up watching too after 20 mins....the picture was too dark you couldn't see what was going on and the sound was muffled! what a disappointment!!!!

I think that films are never as good as the novel they are based on, but thinking about it, & it was a long time ago that I read Jamaica Inn, it was my least favourite Daphne Du Maurier book.

I was so bored by it that I went to sleep so I can't really comment. I loved the book though.

I love the book, which I first read when I was about 12!!!! The settings were great, the interiors very dark, but that is how it would have been I know , the acting was first class, but I was disappointed.....it could have been so good. I thought that I had lost my hearing, had to turn up so loud!!
At one time could rely on the beeb for classic series, are they going to improve with the next 2 episodes or do I have to put up sub titles?

Complaints galore reported - not only on G'net. They are blaming 'issues with sound levels'.

HildaW sssshhh! No spoilers.Agree with most others, too dark [in every way] and so inaudible, it was verging on the ridiculous!In the past, historical drama was made with hardly a nod to the local accents , clothes etc and now it has veered far to far the other way.There was so much mud we could have been on the Somme, I felt I needed a shower myself by the end of it.An Inn on the moors in those days would have had a cobbled yard, or at the least [as it was by the coast] lots of shingle thrown down.Why were all the windows open with holey cutains billowing at every opportunity even though it was obviously freezing cold?Why were all the men wearing mud coloured garments [to hide all the mud?]
Too much nastiness and snarling at each other [and that includes Mary.]
It was all OTT.

Thought it was trying too hard to be Classical Literature when it really is just a fairly modern novel. This approach will always draw attention to the modern language and quickly begins to grate.
Mind you I could only understand every other character....and if 'whats is face'....playing the vicar, is not a baddie I'll eat my hat.....no I shall not be watching this.

Neither could 33 year old son! I totally agree the sound was ridiculous.

Mrs Grumppa, significantly younger, couldn't hear it either, jings.

For some reason my recorder didn't start until 10 minutes in, but after watching the next 5 minutes I also gave up. More annoying was that I also lost the beginning of the More4 Monty Don programme!

Think my hearing is a bit down tbh grumppa. And DH never objects to having the subs on, even though he would never admit to needing them. It's low tones I struggle with.

I liked it.

Haven't read the book but I get the impression I should miss the programme and try it out in book form. Can't say the trailers have inspired me to watch.

But jings you shouldn't have to have recourse to subtitles on a mainstream BBC programme unless your hearing is seriously impaired. Simple test: can you hear most TV programmes? If you can, then Jamaica Inn is at fault.

I blame mumbling Marlon in On The Waterfront!

I gave up after 15mins and changed over to BBC2 and watched the start up of Amazon and other companies over the past 10years and as much as I dislike Amazons ethic's I did find the programme facinating.

Watch it and make your own mind up! (So long as you've got subs)

Missed it. So thanks for all the critiques. A majority of grans can't be wrong.

Dorsetpennt: I also really liked Fargo! I don't usually like so much gore, but it was fascinating. I liked the idea of connection between events. I have not seen the film, but am looking forward to the next episode. X

Was looking forward to it and struggled for 20 minutes before giving up. Won't record or watch again. However, wasn't tempted by Tommy Cooper programme. Never did like him and the trailers were offputting.

It seem there is nothing I add as it has all been said. Picture too dark and sound level control worse than amateur. The big problem with the BBC is they really do think they know best and the viewer should be grateful for whatever rubbish they make of things. They also have a terrible left wing tendency to place present day thinking on history. It just wernt like that they had a different set of values in those far off days.

I think it was very well done. I will watch the rest of it. It is a long time since I read the book, but I know for certain it is very dark story!

Agree about the sound. Sub-titles very necessary. Was amazed how loud the following television sound came out after we had turned it up to what seemed a reasonable volume to make out what was being said.

I don't think you can expect much humour from this story. Romance will surely follow soon!