Marie antonette on bbc2

I started watching it last night and will finish the first episode this afternoon. Beautiful costumes and settings, I agree.

Was really looking forward to watching first episode last night- but thought it was dreadful. Sorry.

Will try and watch second episode, as I have done some work on her history, bur so far, so not good.

Its a play folks, not a docu...

Oops, sorry Fleurperpper

I saw episode one and really enjoyed it as a drama. I'm looking forward to bringing more episodes this afternoon.

volver

Its a play folks, not a docu...

Oops, sorry Fleurperpper

Well yes- and no! If it is just going to be a 'play' then fair enough.

I think it is "just" a play. There have been goodness knows how many versions of the Marie Antoinette story over the years. This one was entertaining and not too far removed from reality.

Very little of it is true and based mostly on the scurrilous slander circulating about Marie Antoinette during her life time. Being female, foreign, extravagant and largely ignorant of state matters she was blamed for the considerable failings of the French royal family and Government, and suffered greatly at the end of her life.

I enjoyed it for exactly what it was. Pleasant time to spend an hour. Loved the costumes.

Did you watch it at all, eazybee? It was very sympathetic towards her.

Leaving her mother, being transported to the border, being dressed as a French princess, a Prince who wasn't ready to marry, the whole court watching them get into bed. Not sure what they were throwing at them though . Anyone know?

I wonder if it will portray her love affair with Count Fernsen of Sweden.

Being female, foreign, extravagant and largely ignorant of state matters she was blamed for the considerable failings of the French royal family and Government, and suffered greatly at the end of her life

This is fair comment. She is one of the historical figures who has always fascinated me and I read quite a lot about her in the past. In fact (like many young women of her time) she was so ill educated that she could barely write her name on the wedding certificate without blotting it!

There is no authoritative record of the "let them eat cake" remark. At her infamous show trial (wher she was accused of debauching her own son) she is known to have defended herslf well and won over many females in the audience. The guilty verdict was a foregone conclusion.

Not much different from Emily in Paris!
Enjoyed both for what they are.

Whitewavemark2

I enjoyed it for exactly what it was. Pleasant time to spend an hour. Loved the costumes.

Same here.

I have been to Versailles 3 times the first in the very early 1970's. It had no furniture and the walls etc were mostly painted in a magnolia sort of paint over the stucco. It was obviously being refurbished after the war and any beautiful parts were not open to visitors. However I remember being shocked at the Guide's commentary which was of course anti-royalty and full of how terrible the ordinary folk were treated before the revolution. So different from tours around National Trust places in the UK, when nothing negative was ever said about the aristocracy. My abiding memory is of the description of the toilet arrangements and the smells everywhere which made me want to never visit the Palace again, it was so repulsive a story. However in the 1990's and about 8 years ago I did go and what a beautiful place it is. I didn't bother with the Guided Tour though and hilariously there was a huge queue for the public toilets outside and the Toilet Attendant for whatever reason selected me and a couple of other ladies to an inside toilet that was very grand, clean and sweet smelling. How could she know

I enjoyed it. Many years ago I read a book (a novel) about her by Annunziata Asquith. I burst into tears at the end. I am lucky enough to have been to Versailles. Such opulence. No wonder there was a revolution.

Crossed posts notgran

Joseanne

Not much different from Emily in Paris!
Enjoyed both for what they are.

Was Emily a very important historical figure though?

Yes, perhaps the fact I have studied her life for a long time has influenced my perception.

Fleurpepper

Joseanne

Not much different from Emily in Paris!
Enjoyed both for what they are.

Was Emily a very important historical figure though?

Yes, perhaps the fact I have studied her life for a long time has influenced my perception.

Pas du tout, BUT Emily was an influencer!

volver I suspect the unfortunate young couple were being pelted with sugared almonds for fertility.
Poor kids - I mean the happy couple. So very young and under such pressure.

Loved episode one. Almost as much as the Kirsten Dunst film which I can watch any number of times.

I’ve not seen this one yet, looking forward to watching it, but oh yes the Kirsten Dunst film is just wonderful!

Aveline

volver I suspect the unfortunate young couple were being pelted with sugared almonds for fertility.
Poor kids - I mean the happy couple. So very young and under such pressure.

Thanks Aveline

Jusr thought, would she have travelled to Versaille without a female servant?.

What is the point of a play unless there is some truth in it?