Pillars of the Earth, Starz miniseries based on the novel

Yehudi · 07-29-2010, 01:28 PM

I know there are a lot of fans of historical dramas here. Starz has the first two episodes up available for viewing on their site.

http://www.starz.com/originals/thepi...de-101-anarchy

Bostonfan · 07-29-2010, 01:58 PM

I'm still in withdrawal from The Tudors. I'm not sure I'm ready to invest in a new historical drama. What do you (or others who have seen Pillars) think of it so far?

Yehudi · 07-29-2010, 02:24 PM

I've only seen the first episode and while confusing, I'll hold off judgment until I've seen more episodes. I thought Spartacus was lame at first but got better and better as the series went on. The cast is great too (Donald Sutherland, Rufus Swell, Ian McShane).

StonewshMullet · 07-29-2010, 04:26 PM

The book was amazing. After I read the book I sent Ken Follet and email gushing about how much I enjoyed it. He actually wrote me back and thanked me for reading it in the first place. As a result it has a special place in the literary portion of my heart; hopefully they will not screw it up.

HisWeirness · 07-29-2010, 04:40 PM

DH just finished reading this book, and we have both seen the first two episodes on Netflix streaming. I'm enjoying it, but I generally like the whole medieval/Tudors English historical drama genre.

The miniseries does not always follow the book (as DH has pointed out while we were watching), but where it varies it mostly does not affect the overall plot, you just lose some of the more intricate details and storytelling in the book. According to DH, the miniseries moves very quickly through the book's story. It's been helpful having him explain the relationships between the characters and their past histories because of this. Otherwise, I think I might be

.

Can't wait for the next episodes!

Sassafras · 07-29-2010, 05:02 PM

Listened to the unabridged audio version of the book (41 hours!) years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. So far I've seen the first two episodes via Netflix streaming. Actually watched Episode 1 twice to get all the relationships straight.

Yehudi · 07-29-2010, 07:42 PM

By the way, the war between Stephen and Maud (Mattilda) is one of the reasons why Henry was so obsessed with having a male heir. He wasn't certain that the nobles would be loyal to a female queen.

IceAlisa · 07-29-2010, 07:47 PM

I thought about reading the series but changed my mind. My friend is a big fan so I'll be recording this from Starz for her. Looks rather violent.

zhenya271 · 07-30-2010, 03:41 AM

I've only seen the preview, but I think it looks fantastic-great lineup of stars! I just love Netflix streaming!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yehudi

I've only seen the first episode and while confusing, I'll hold off judgment until I've seen more episodes. I thought Spartacus was lame at first but got better and better as the series went on. The cast is great too (Donald Sutherland, Rufus Swell, Ian McShane).

I got my husband into Spartacus because we loved HBO's Rome and Spartacus w/ Kirk Douglas is probably one of his all time favorite's, but I lost interest after the second episode as it seemed to be all sex and violence. He said the plot picked up as the weeks progressed. I guess they have to reel you in somehow.

Yehudi · 07-30-2010, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zhenya271

I've only seen the preview, but I think it looks fantastic-great lineup of stars! I just love Netflix streaming!

I got my husband into Spartacus because we loved HBO's Rome and Spartacus w/ Kirk Douglas is probably one of his all time favorite's, but I lost interest after the second episode as it seemed to be all sex and violence. He said the plot picked up as the weeks progressed. I guess they have to reel you in somehow.

The later episodes are still violent and there's still plenty of sex, but it really did get much better and the finale (which was very violent) was probably the best season finale I've seen in a long time. If the series ended with just that first season, it would have been a fitting end but it leaves just enough things open in case they renewed it.

Plus, John Hannah and Lucy Lawless were delicious as the scheming, social climbing owner of the ludus.

emason · 07-31-2010, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StonewshMullet

The book was amazing.

How nice for you that you thought so; my mileage certainly varied. I stopped halfway through when I reached another gratuitous scene of rape and torture that added nothing to the development of the villain. I found the whole thing to be level in tone and one-note, no highs and lows. You could not pay me enough to read the other half.

zhenya271 · 07-31-2010, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yehudi

The later episodes are still violent and there's still plenty of sex, but it really did get much better and the finale (which was very violent) was probably the best season finale I've seen in a long time. If the series ended with just that first season, it would have been a fitting end but it leaves just enough things open in case they renewed it.

Plus, John Hannah and Lucy Lawless were delicious as the scheming, social climbing owner of the ludus.

I heard that the main guy has just gotten his clean bill of health after his cancer treatment, so looks like the second season might be a go again.

Twilight1 · 09-04-2010, 04:16 AM

I just started watching it yesterday...and watched 5 episodes the last 2 days. I absolutely love it...but then Empress Matlida's son started the whole Plantagenet reign so of course I would be into it.

Quite interesting to watch the show, and having done a touch of research on the White Ship disaster, it does leave open the question on what truly happened to Matilda's brother William.

Jimena · 09-04-2010, 02:34 PM

I haven't watched the last episode. I started really liking the series and loving the actors to finding it repetitive. I mean, how many times can they show an attack on Knightsbrigde (or however it's called)? But I'll finish it.

Twilight1 · Yesterday, 03:20 PM

I thought they rushed the series too much. They could have spread it out over at least 2 more episodes, but the series was still so good.

Makes me look forward to the Borgia's so much more now...

07-29-2010, 01:28 PM	#1
Yehudi Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 vCash: 500 Posts: 1,308 Rep Power: 0	Pillars of the Earth, Starz miniseries based on the novel I know there are a lot of fans of historical dramas here. Starz has the first two episodes up available for viewing on their site. http://www.starz.com/originals/thepi...de-101-anarchy

07-29-2010, 05:02 PM	#6
Sassafras Join Date: May 2002 vCash: 1300 Location: Geocaching Posts: 877 Rep Power: 17837	Listened to the unabridged audio version of the book (41 hours!) years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. So far I've seen the first two episodes via Netflix streaming. Actually watched Episode 1 twice to get all the relationships straight. __________________ Never mess with a geocacher. We know the best places to hide a body....

07-29-2010, 07:47 PM	#8
IceAlisa In the Cult of EverPure Join Date: Mar 2002 vCash: 343 Location: praying to the Ceiling Cat Posts: 15,452 Rep Power: 179126	I thought about reading the series but changed my mind. My friend is a big fan so I'll be recording this from Starz for her. Looks rather violent. __________________ And if you disagree with me, then you are worse than Hitler. Greg Gutfeld.

09-04-2010, 04:16 AM	#13
Twilight1 B&K 4ever! Join Date: Jul 2001 vCash: 850 Location: Canada baby! Age: 34 Posts: 6,061 Rep Power: 0	I just started watching it yesterday...and watched 5 episodes the last 2 days. I absolutely love it...but then Empress Matlida's son started the whole Plantagenet reign so of course I would be into it. Quite interesting to watch the show, and having done a touch of research on the White Ship disaster, it does leave open the question on what truly happened to Matilda's brother William. __________________ ~I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.~ (Charles R. Swindoll)

Yesterday, 03:20 PM	#15
Twilight1 B&K 4ever! Join Date: Jul 2001 vCash: 850 Location: Canada baby! Age: 34 Posts: 6,061 Rep Power: 0	I thought they rushed the series too much. They could have spread it out over at least 2 more episodes, but the series was still so good. Makes me look forward to the Borgia's so much more now... __________________ ~I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.~ (Charles R. Swindoll)

07-29-2010, 01:58 PM	#2
Bostonfan Join Date: Mar 2002 vCash: 500 Location: MA Posts: 2,482 Rep Power: 31894	I'm still in withdrawal from The Tudors. I'm not sure I'm ready to invest in a new historical drama. What do you (or others who have seen Pillars) think of it so far?

07-29-2010, 02:24 PM	#3
Yehudi Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 vCash: 500 Posts: 1,308 Rep Power: 0	I've only seen the first episode and while confusing, I'll hold off judgment until I've seen more episodes. I thought Spartacus was lame at first but got better and better as the series went on. The cast is great too (Donald Sutherland, Rufus Swell, Ian McShane).

07-29-2010, 04:26 PM	#4
StonewshMullet Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 vCash: 500 Age: 37 Posts: 1,856 Rep Power: 0	The book was amazing. After I read the book I sent Ken Follet and email gushing about how much I enjoyed it. He actually wrote me back and thanked me for reading it in the first place. As a result it has a special place in the literary portion of my heart; hopefully they will not screw it up.

07-29-2010, 04:40 PM	#5
HisWeirness slores, leis & screencaps Join Date: Nov 2007 vCash: 530 Location: Minor Planet Johnnyweir 12413 Posts: 8,202 Rep Power: 178014	DH just finished reading this book, and we have both seen the first two episodes on Netflix streaming. I'm enjoying it, but I generally like the whole medieval/Tudors English historical drama genre. The miniseries does not always follow the book (as DH has pointed out while we were watching), but where it varies it mostly does not affect the overall plot, you just lose some of the more intricate details and storytelling in the book. According to DH, the miniseries moves very quickly through the book's story. It's been helpful having him explain the relationships between the characters and their past histories because of this. Otherwise, I think I might be . Can't wait for the next episodes!

07-29-2010, 07:42 PM	#7
Yehudi Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 vCash: 500 Posts: 1,308 Rep Power: 0	By the way, the war between Stephen and Maud (Mattilda) is one of the reasons why Henry was so obsessed with having a male heir. He wasn't certain that the nobles would be loyal to a female queen.

09-04-2010, 02:34 PM	#14
Jimena Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 vCash: 500 Posts: 2,092 Rep Power: 0	I haven't watched the last episode. I started really liking the series and loving the actors to finding it repetitive. I mean, how many times can they show an attack on Knightsbrigde (or however it's called)? But I'll finish it.