Sanditon

As I was reading the newspaper and watching at the same time I was only half-attending.

I haven't warmed to it yet and that's entirely my fault. It must be tricky to deal with a book which is unfinished. Apparently they ran out of material half way through the first episode. Not very authentic, then.

I'll keep watching to see how it develops.

Watchable but not very Jane Austenish I thought.Naked men in the sea. Ha ha ha!

I decided right from the start not to think of it as Jane Austen but a Regency Romp won't be disappointed then.

I haven’t seen it, but didn’t we all wish Darcy had taken off that wet shirt when he stepped out of the water?

Yes, lulu, a Regency Romp is a good way to look at it. There were all the typical characters - the arrogant rude hero, the spirited heroine, the cad, the haughty wealthy Lady something, the plots about wealth. I thought it had a touch of Vanity Fair to it.

Naked men running down the beach into the sea - yes, Green, not sure that was very Jane Austen, nor the scene with the goddaughter "pleasuring" the cad in the park grounds.

Actually the country house and park was filmed at a NT place not far from me so it was good to recognise it.

I quite enjoyed it. The Austen purists who reviewed it on R4 were of course very down on it.

"There Charlotte spots Clara Brereton seated with Sir Edward Denham at her side having an intimate conversation in the garden and surmises that they must have a secret understanding..." is the precis of the original. ITV showed much more than a conversation!!
I am interested to see how this will continue and thought it was a bit of Sunday night fun.

Not an Austen purist ( and that is the defence of anyone who marmelises something). But the short portion of this work that Jane Austen wrote was short, very much a first draft and, frankly, not very good. It is unclear who the heroine or hero are, or how the action would develop.

Anyone with half a brain could use it as a vague idea for any kind of regency fantasy they chose to write.

When Andrew Davis started he was very good. His adaptation of Mrs Gaskell's Wives and Daughters is brilliant and true to the book and the those of the book and I re-watch it regularly.

Sadly, starting with Pride and Prejudice, which I did not like, I much preferred the Fay Weldon version, which preceeded it, his work has been downhill all the way.

ethos of the book, not those of the book

Always good to see the very underrated and versatile familiar face of Anne Reid.
Yes, so far so good with some intrigue in there somewhere and as always in these plays set in older times, the sleazy, soppy individual likened to that obnoxious character who was first in Poldark.

Um.
There were many recognisable characters, (I am an Austen fan): Catherine Morland, Lady de Bourgh crossed with Mrs. Norris Mary Churchill, Frank Churchill and Jane Fairfax, Harriet Smith, Julia Bertram, Charles Musgrove, but whether they where the creation of Jane Austen or Andrew Davies I don't know. What was that peculiar dance they were doing in the ballroom, all the stamping and clapping?
A regency romp, but using Austen as a snare to entice the viewers?

I thought the opening titles and music were pinched from Gentleman Jack! I gave it ten minutes then returned to my much thumbed copy of Mansfield Park and heaved a sigh of relief!

I thought it was good. Not keen on Kris Marshall but Anne Reid is magnificent.

Sparklefizz which property is it please ?
It is supposedly the south coast but I don't think it is.

I enjoyed it for what it is 'A Regency Romp'

I will romp with Kris Marshall’s brother anytime ( not the fat one!) ?
I enjoyed it, as others say, for what it is, Andrew Davies usually does a good job of this sort of thing.
Easy, pleasant Sunday night viewing.

I think I'm too involved already. I'm worried about Sir Edward Thingummy...

Am glad people are enjoying it...….so little decent telly on....my problem is that I know the books too well.....studied several for O.U. My favourite Alt Austen production was 'Lost in Austen'.....it recognised the gentility of the books but gave us a modern approach.

ninathenana The property is Dyrham Park near Bath. A friend volunteers there and she knew about the filming. I am going to watch it a 2nd time on catch-up as I think the first view of the house showed some sea in the background, which it does not have .... it is nowhere near the coast.

Hilda Yes, I too thought the music was very much like Gentleman Jack.

Aha, Sparklefizz -- I thought it looked familiar....yes Dyrham Park is very landlocked!

Are you nearby HildaW ?

All the reviews mentioned the bad CGI. I didn't notice it, but obviously the sea was an example.

Not anymore Sparklefizz but used to visit it regularly.