Another Period Drama Tag

My friend Molly at A Ramble Through the Woods tagged me here for this delightful tag created by Elanor of Musings of a Jane Austen Wannabe.   Ain't that fun?

 

And so...so, so, so...I'm here today to--you guessed it!--answer all the questions!  Are you ready for this?

 

The rules of the game:

#1. Answer the questions

#2. Link back to the person who tagged you

#3. Tag at least one other blogger to do the tag

 

Sounds good!  Let's get started.

 

1.  What was the most recent period drama you watched?  Share what you thought of it.
Oh.  Good one.  *rubs hands together gleefully* 

So...

I watched the 2017 Little Women on youtube!  (Yes, I found it on youtbue.  And no, it probably wasn't supposed to be there.  An infringement of copyright no doubt, but hey!  It was there, just begging to be watched.  How could I resist?) 
 

What did I think of it?  Ah me.  "I laughed.  I cried.  It moved me, Bob."  Actually I didn't cry, but if I had it would have been from frustration.  Guys!  (Or girls.  Whatever.)  I'm telling you, IT WAS  PAINFUL!  Like so painful.  I really haven't the words to express how much I disliked it.

Okay, so some of you know that I have yet to see a Little Women movie that I really like, (even the 1994 version gets my hackles up sometimes though so many people love it) so yeah, maybe I'm not the perfect judge, but that being said my opinion is still my opinion.  And I have to say that in that most humble (cough) opinion of mine, this movie was A-W-F-U-L.  (That spells awful.)  (Awfully, awfully, awful.)  I don't have time to go into all the details but let me just say, my brother and I were literally shouting with vexation and disbelief at some points.  Like WHY?  Why can't they ever get it right???

Enough said.

 

2.  Do you generally prefer period dramas in the form of a movie or a TV series/mini-series?  Why?

It depends on how long the book is.  Some books can actually be done quite well in movie form.  But generally speaking mini-series are preferable, just because you can get more of the story that way.  (And when you're dealing with Dickens or Austen it's essential.)

 

3.  What is your favorite musical period drama?

Oh goodness.  That's a hard one.  How about Mary Poppins?  That counts as a period drama, right?  I like that one!  :)

 

4.  Read the book first or watch the movie first?

I don't really have a rule for this one.  Generally I like the idea of reading the book first just because it's the original and I'd prefer that my loyalties lie with the original rather than the copy, but if I do happen to see the movie first it's not a big deal.

 

5.  What is a valuable life lesson you learned from a period drama?

'Bye-Yum Pum Pum'.  It's the only way to go, girls.  The most effective way to find true love and snag yourself a man.  (Obviously I have yet to apply it to my own life.  *eye roll*)

 

 

(And yes, of course that was a sarcastic answer.  Sorry, but I just can't help myself.  Apparently I can't be serious to save my life.)

 

6.  Which period drama hero would you be likely to fall in love with in real life?
Wow. We're getting awfully personal here.  (Haha.)

This is actually a really hard question.  Because there are tons of period drama heroes I love, and yet when I think about them being real-life guys and me actually falling in love with them...well, it's just odd, you know?   But let's go with Gilbert.  I'm sure if he were a real person I'd probably like him a whole lot more than I'd want to admit to.  ;) 

7.  Do you ever like to binge-watch a period drama series?
Yes of course! Nothing specific is coming to mind at the moment, but I'd pretty much binge-watch any good show if I had the chance.  
 

8.  What things go best with watching a period drama?
Siblings who happen to have the same thought processes as yourself.  Because it's just so much fun to watch a movie with someone else who feels exactly the same way about it as you do.  Who laughs when you laugh, cries when you cry, and scoffs when you scoff.  Oh yeah.  Better than a cup of tea.  (I don't know what tea has to do with it, but it just popped into my head to say that.  So I did.  That's all.)
 

9.  Which period drama do you think you would fit into best?
Little Women.  I can do the March family thing because they're such a real family...like my own.  I know and understand them.
 

10. If you could have any period drama character for a best friend, who would it be?  And why?
Please, please, can I have Henry Tilney (from the book)?  Aside from the fact that he's another hero I might consider falling in love with, I just think he would be an awesome friend and I would have a lot of fun with him. 
 

11. Show us a picture of a period drama costume you wish you could wear in real life.

This one!  This one!!  Seriously, people, I long for this dress!  I lie awake at night thinking how blissfully happy I would be if only it could be mine!  Truly it would be a dream come true for me.

(A dream, yes.  And one definitely of nightmarish proportions.)

Okay, so yeah, I was kidding about that.  I don't really like that dress.  It's frightful.  (Like that wasn't perfectly obvious, Miss March.  Honestly. Your jokes are so lame.  I know.  But you love me anyway.  I never said anything about loving you.  *grimace*  Okay, forget it.  Change the subject.)   

Now I'm being serious.  This dress would of course be out of style for today  but if we had some sort of dress-up ball or something I could totally go for wearing it.

Isn't it so pretty?  I love the sleeves!

12. Are there any period dramas you like to watch during a particular season or holiday?

Not really.  Any time will do. ;)
 

13. Which period drama has your favorite soundtrack?
As you all probably know by this point I'm not very good at picking favorites.  So I'm afraid I don't have a real answer for this one.  But...oh, wait!  I just thought of one!  The soundtrack for All Creatures Great and Small.  That one is AMAZING and I love it and I wish there was some way to get it on CD. 
 

14. Dream cast your favorite actor and actress in a period drama of your choosing; tell which parts they would play and why.
Sorry.  I'm afraid I don't a favorite actor or actress either.  (I'm just that boring.)  But I'll cast these two as Edmund and Fanny in Mansfield Park because...why not?  I think they'd be great for those roles.

 

15. Are there any period dramas you like more than one version of?
Well, I like some things about both the 1949 and the 1994 versions of Little Women...but then I also dislike things about them so...can that count as actually liking them?   I also like some things about Sense and Sensibility 1995 and S&S 2008 but there are things I strongly dislike as well so...I don't know.  I think I've just thoroughly confused myself. 

Next question.
 

16. What are the top three period dramas that you haven't seen on your to-watch list?
Well, I don't have an official list so of course my mind is blanking out.  Let me think a moment.

Okay.  Three period dramas I'd like to see sometime.  In no particular order.

1. Our Mutual Friend
2. The next season of When Calls the Heart because we're currently watching season 4 and I'm just sort of "into" it right now (if you know what I mean). 
3. And last but not least... *total blank out*  O-kay.  That fell sort of flat. Let's just say, whatever else happens to be available and convenient when the period drama mood strikes me.  How's that?

(That is such a boring answer, you goof.  *shrugs*  Sorry, but that's how it goes.  Goofy is as goofy does, and boring goofy certainly was.  What's that supposed to mean?  I don't know.  It just sounded cool so I said it.  Compliments of the goof (as you so considerately christened me).  Alright, alright.  Don't wear it out.  Good grief.  And some people think they have a sense of humor.)
 

17. Show a picture of your favorite period drama hairstyle.
*blank out*

I don't knooooooow!

Okay, whatever.  Here's a nice one for you.

*scrambles off to find one*

*finally strikes gold*

There you are!  Beautiful, ain't it? 

(Okay, so I can't be serious about hairstyles either.  Whatever.)
 

18. What was your favorite wedding in a period drama?
PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 1995!  (Only because I can't think of any others I really like at the moment...though there's probably one out there that I like better that I just can't remember right now in which case this would be a false answer so perhaps I really ought say P&P is one of my favorite weddings or...)  (Please.  For once in your life, stop over analyzing.  Oh.  Right.  Sorry.) 

Moving on...
 

19. What is your favorite biographical period drama?
Amazing Grace!!!  (Also Miss Potter.)  
 

20. Which historical novel will you forever recommend to anyone and everyone?
Well, I don't know about anyone and everyone, but I shall always recommend Little Women as an excellent book.  Because it is.  The end.

And now I tag...

Cordy
And anyone else who wants to do this!  Consider yourself tagged!

Here's a link to Elanor's blog and the original list of questions for your copying ease.  Have fun!! 
 

Doctor Thorne // movie review

I watched this movie for the second and third time just the other week so while the memory of it is still fresh in my mind, I thought I'd give you some of my thoughts on it. 

I realize this is the soundtrack case not the dvd case, but I liked
it so I decided to use it anyway.  :)

~The Story~

(Following summary taken from the back of the DVD)

Doctor Thorne lives a quiet life with niece Mary in Greshamsbury, home of the Gresham family.  Unbeknownst to others, the Greshams have lost their fortune and the snobbish matriarch Lady Arabella has a scheme to regain it via an arranged marriage with her son and an American heiress.  However, her son is in love with Mary, which complicates Lady Arabella's plans. 

(Poor Lady Arabelle.  <cough>  Not.  Actually, seeing her plans thwarted was an absolute delight and pleasure.  ;))

Doctor Thorne is based off of the novel by the same name written by Anthony Trollope, a contemporary of Charles Dickens.  I'd never actually heard of Anthony Trollope until my brother introduced me to the movie, but apparently he wrote an enormous amount of novels.  And apparently they're really good, too, because he is now a new favorite author of my brother and sister-in-law.  :) 

Anyway, about the movie.  I like this movie.  It doesn't come up to the standard of Pride and Prejudice and Emma of course (for one thing it really should have been longer), but there's a lot of excellent characters in it and the story itself is entertaining.  It has a bit of a comedic feel to it, some of the characters being more exaggerated and caricatured than in other period dramas, but there are definitely some serious and touching moments as well. 

The main plotline is centered around Mary and Frank's romance and Lady Arabella's attempts to keep them apart (as stated in the above synopsis).  Mary has known the Gresham family all her life and has practically been an adopted member of the family, which makes it all the worse when Lady Arabella suddenly turns against her because of her love for Frank.  It was all right for Mary to be a childhood playmate for the Gresham children, but to be the wife of the Greshams' only son?  Never. 

Despite the fact that Mary and Frank's romance takes center stage throughout the film, Doctor Thorne would really be considered the main character.  (Which is cool because how often do you have a middle-aged single man as the main character?  Am I right?)  I guess you could say that the story is sort of seen through Doctor Thorne's eyes, and as he's involved in all the characters lives he naturally becomes involved in all their secrets and intrigues. 
 

There's much more to story than what I'm mentioning here, but I don't think it's quite the thing to tell the entire story in one's review so...I'll refrain. 

 

 

~The Characters~   

Mary Thorne
 

I like Mary, though I do think her character could have been a bit more fleshed out.  She's very sweet and very kind (which is how she's supposed to be of course), but sometimes her reactions to things seemed a bit cold to me (like her response to a certain gentleman's death for instance?).  Perhaps though that's simply in keeping with her character and personality, as she does seem to be the sort of person who stuffs her feelings in an attempt to be strong for everyone else.   (Still, I would have liked to see a bit more emotion from her all the same.)

 

Frank Gresham

 



 

Oh!  I love Frank.  He's just cool.  The first time I watched the movie I admit I thought of him as more of a one-dimensional Mr. Nice Guy, but on a second viewing I discovered a lot more depth to his character.  He's actually quite funny.  And I love how doesn't care a fig about money.  He wants to marry Mary.  So she's poor.  So what?  <spoilers> And even when he discovers she's a rich heiress it makes no difference to him whatsoever.  He doesn't get awkward and start the whole "now I'm not worthy of you because you're richer than me" thing.  No indeed.  <end spoilers>  He loves her and if she'll have him he'll marry her.  It's as simple as that. 

 

Augusta Gresham

 

 

I didn't care for Augusta at first.  For one thing, she's a tattler and sides with her mother against Frank and Mary.  But as the movie goes on I do start to feel for her somewhat and to root for her.  And yeah, they definitely could have had a more satisfactory ending for her in my opinion.

 

Beatrice Gresham 

 

 

She's the nice sister.  She stands up for Frank and Mary from the first and doesn't seem to be overly concerned about the family's position or whether they're able to save the estate or not.  

 

Lady Arabella Gresham

 

 

Everybody's favorite person.  (Not.)  She's a very strong-willed woman with a  very high opinion of herself and her family's position.  Which is why it's so hard for her to come to terms with the fact that they owe practically the entire value of their estate to the neighboring baronet, Sir Roger Scatcherd, who could call in the debt at just about any moment and take over their home without a second thought.  That is why Frank must "marry money".  It's essential to the well-being of the family.  And Lady Arabella will not rest until she sees that mission fulfilled.  (Poor Frank.)

 

Francis Gresham

 

 

Squire of Greshamsbury.  Father to Frank, Augusta and Beatrice.  Husband to <gulp> Lady Arabella.  (Such a happy couple they are.)  (Yes, that was sarcasm.)  Mr. Gresham has unfortunately spent his money recklessly and foolishly over the years and is therefore much to blame in the family's present uncomfortable circumstances.  He's a kind hearted gentleman though.  And a good friend of Doctor Thorne's.  He feels badly about his wife's treatment of Mary but doesn't have the gumption to stand up to her, especially as their ill-fortune is the root of the problem, and that was mostly his fault.

 

 

Countess de Courcy

 

 

(That other lady we all love so much.  Ha.)  She's married to Lady Arabella's brother, the Earl de Courcy, and has made it her mission to help Lady Arabella in saving the Gresham family from ruin.  In other words she's picked a wife for Frank and she's going to keep at him until he "does his duty."  Some of the scenes with her are actually quite funny because she treats Frank like a little boy that must be guided in his every move and Frank, finding it hard to be patient with her, can't keep the sarcasm out of his voice much of the time.

 

Earl de Courcy

 

 

(Sorry.  Couldn't find a very good picture of him.)  Anyway, this is the Earl de Courcy, husband to the Countess de Courcy, brother to Lady Arabella, and...that's about it.  There's not much more to know about him really.

 

Lord Porlock

 

 

Son of the Count and Countess de Courcy.  Cousin to Frank.  Admirer of Miss Dunstable (who I haven't mentioned yet), and yeah, I think that pretty much covers it.  I haven't much of an opinion on him because there isn't much to have an opinion on.  (But pray, what kind of a name is Porlock?!  Sounds like "potluck" or "pork chop" or "poor luck" or something.)  (Did you have poor luck finding a pork chop at the potluck my good Porlock?  Mwahaha!  I'm so funny today.  ;P)

 

Lady Alexandrina

 

 

Daughter of the Count and Countess de Courcy, and *shivers*...just as bad as her mother.  Such an annoying person.  Let's not even talk about her.

 

Mr. Moffatt

 

 

Augusta Gresham's rich fiancé.  (Temporarily at least.)  (Ooops.  That was a spoiler, wasn't it?)  Anyway, he's a "thorough-paced reformer".  (A "thorough-paced reformer.")  A horrible public speaker.  And I don't know.  I don't really care about him that much, but I do feel sorry for him when he steps up to make his speech.  *gulp*  Poor man.  That was so incredibly awkward.

 

Miss Dunstable

 

 

A rich American heiress and Aunt de Courcy's chosen bride for Frank Gresham.  She's great though.  She jokes about her lovers and all the proposals she's expecting to get and then comes right out and tells Frank to admit it, it's not her beauty but her dollars that is so attractive to men.  She's very down-to-earth and refreshing, and she and Frank actually become friends.  But oh! poor Aunt de Courcy.  She sees them talking and laughing together and is sure everything is going according to plan.  How was she to know that Frank was telling Miss Dunstable all about Mary and Miss Dunstable actually encouraging him not to give her up?  To come so close and to fail so dismally.  Sorry, Aunt de Courcy.

 

Sir Roger Scatcherd

 

 

 

He's a complicated character.  Rough and prideful and not much caring of other people's feelings.  He drinks too much and is harsh and rude to his wife; and yet now and then you do see some glimmerings of a kind heart underneath.  There's a lot more to his story but I'm not sure how much to say for fear of spoilers.  I don't mind spoilers myself but some people seem to think they ought not to be revealed.  So.  We move on.

 

Louis Scatcherd

 

 

A charming fellow.  (Okay, maybe not.)  He likes to think he's charming but I'm afraid he does very little to prove it.  Sadly he takes after his father in the matter of drink and being rude to his mother, and for most of the movie he makes you very nervous because you're not sure what horrible thing he's going to do.  Naturally he decides he wants to marry Mary, and (naturally again) she doesn't share is enthusiasm.  So he's mad.  And jealous of Frank.  And all that.  And we just wish he could go jump down a well, right?  Uh, yeah.  That is until you start to realize that he really did have a lot stacked against him growing up with a father like Sir Roger.  And then when his last scene comes...but, 'hem, no spoilers.  All that to say I was totally feeling sorry for him by the end and I wish things could have been different for him.

 

 

Lady Scatcherd

 

 

Such a sweet, adorable person.  She has a hard time of it, considering the men in her life, but she's a sweet soul.  And what's really cool about her is that she loves her husband and son very much despite their ill treatment of her.

 

 

Doctor Thorne
 

 

Last, but certainly not least!  Doctor Thorne.  Ohhhhh!  He's the best!  Literally my favorite character in the whole movie.  (Well he is the hero after all.)  He's such a wonderful person.   So calm and reasonable and considerate.  And yet at the same time, he's not perfect.  He does get angry and he's not entirely immune to holding grudges--for a time at least.  But then he's so forgiving too.  His friendship with Sir Roger is a huge example of that.  <spoilers> Because Sir Roger killed Doctor Thorne's brother, but Doctor Thorne is reasonable enough to look at the case from all angles, to concede that Sir Roger didn't mean to do it, and to look past it and see the good in Sir Roger despite everything.  That's just really amazing to me.  And I love that about Doctor Throne. <end spoilers>  He's very tender-hearted and considerate of other people's feelings.  When Louis Scatcherd tells of his plans to make Mary his wife, Doctor Thorne doesn't douse him right off the bat, he merely cautions him to take his time and not rush into anything.  (Even though we all know that the doctor would never want Mary to marry Sir Louis.)  He let's things take their course and gives advice only when he thinks it's absolutely necessary. 

*****

 

Well, I guess that covers just about all the characters.  I hope that proved somewhat interesting.  And now I find I haven't much else to say so I'll draw this post to a close.  I highly recommend this movie if you're looking for a new, fun period drama to watch.  And if you're one of those people who watches movies more for the costumes than for the story itself well, here's a few pictures to get you interested.  :)

 

 

 

 

I'd say there's some pretty dresses in there, wouldn't you? 

 

Caution: On the subject of dresses, there are a few with very low necklines.  Just wanted to make you aware of that in case that's something you're uncomfortable with.  (Of course if you watch movies like Pride and Prejudice and Amazing Grace I think I can safely say this one would be okay, too.  :))

 

A final picture of Mary and Doctor Thorne because it seems fitting to end on them.



 And now, have you seen this movie?

What did you think of it?

Do you have any good suggestions of other period dramas I should see?

 

A Period Drama Tag

Hamlette tagged me with this period drama tag back in November.  I've been horrible at filling out tags lately, but I decided I really wanted to do this one, so here goes!  Should be fun.

1. What's your favorite Period Drama movie? 

  

Oh, honestly.  What are you trying to do, make this difficult for me?  I simply cannot pick an absolute favorite.  That's impossible.  *dramatic sigh*

I'll just give you one of my favorites.  (That's the best I can do.)  And  I think it'll have to be... Emma 2009.  (Surprise, surprise!  Bet you never saw that one coming.)

2. What's your favorite Period Drama series? 

I'll go with All Creatures Great and Small this time since that's what we're currently watching...and it's SUPER good, people.  Really.  If you haven't seen it yet you absolutely, positively must.  (Isn't that so, Evie?  :))

  

3. Which Period Drama do you dislike the most? 

Oooh!  Do you want a whole list?  I can give you a whole list. Middlemarch, Persuasion 2007, Emma 1996, Pride and Prejudice 2005... all right, I'll stop.

4. Anne of Green Gables or Little Dorrit? 

Goodness.  I don't know!!  Maybe...no...I can't choose between them.   Next question, please.

5. Your favorite Period Drama dresses?

To be honest, I don't think that much about the dresses in Period Dramas.  I mean, I notice them, but I don't tend to give them a whole lot of consideration.  Still I suppose I have to chose something so here goes...



This one's pretty cute.  The lattice-type work on the sleeves and bodice is so unique.

That collar, though! Isn't it pretty?



I love gingham dresses and the colors of these particular dresses are scrumptious.  Just my style.



6. Who's your favorite Period Drama character? (Okay, pick at least five)

MY FAVORITE WHAAAT?  Oh.  I can choose five?  Well, that's much better.  You give me options.  You make me happy.  (Heehee.) 

In an attempt to be somewhat creative, I'm going to limit my choices to side characters only.  No heroes and heroines. 

Mr. Bingley; Pride and Prejudice 1995

(Such a darling character.)

Tristan Farnon; All Creatures Great and Small

(Naughty, but loveable.  ;))



Peter Pevensie; BBC's The Chronicles of Narnia

(Oh.  Did I say I wasn't going to include any heroes?  Oops.  Well, he was too good to pass up.  I love Peter!)

Edmund Sparkler; Little Dorrit

(Such a ridiculous, but adorable sort of fellow.)

 [I guess I've got sort of a guy theme going here.  Ah well.  May as well finish it out.]

Siegfried Farnon; All Creatures Great and Small

(Eccentric in the extreme.  And positively hilarious!)

 7. If you could join a royal ball, which dress would you wear? (Pick a Period Drama dress) 

Well, this dress might not actually fit at a royal ball, but I'd love to wear Meg's pink party dress.  It's so pretty!  And I love the sleeves.

8. What's your favorite Jane Austen movie? 

Pride and Prejudice 1995 and Emma 2009.  Please don't make me choose between them.

9. Downton Abbey or Call the Midwife? 

Downton Abbey.  I have yet to see Call the Midwife.

10. Sybil Crawley, Jenny Lee, Emma Woodhouse or Marian of Knighton? 

Emma Woodhouse.  Sybil Crawley second.  (I've never seen the other two.)

11. Which couples of a Period Drama do you like the most? (Pick at least four) 

Ohhh!  Fun!  Sometime I really need to do an entire post devoted to favorite period drama couples...but for now, here's four.

Emma and Mr. Knightley; Emma 2009

(Somehow they always manage to get into my posts, don't they?)

Alf and Minnie; Lark Rise to Candleford

(One of the cutest couples ever!)

James and Helen; All Creatures Great and Small

(Sweetness in the extreme!)

Amy Dorrit and Arthur Clennam; Little Dorrit

(Heartbreakingly adorable.)

12. And last, which Period Drama villain do you like the most?

Oh, dear.  How will I ever be able to answer that?  There's so many I like, how can I possibly narrow it down?  (Haha!  Just kidding.  I'm not that fond of villains.  Really I'm not.)  Let's see.  I'm sure I could come up with a  better one, but for now I'm going to say Prince John from Ivanhoe 1997 (produced by BBC and A&A).  No, I don't really like Prince John.  He's despicable.  But I have to admit, he's extremely entertaining.  One of the most entertaining characters in the film, actually.  Even more than Ivanhoe.  ('Tis a fact.)

And now I'm going to tag...

Molly at A Ramble Through the Woods

Elanor at Musings of a Jane Austen Wannabe

Cordy at Write On Cordy!

Naomi at Wonderland Creek

And anyone else who would like to do this.  Seriously, if you want to fill out these answers, PLEASE do so.  And then let me know so I can read your post! 

Good-night, everyone.  It's past midnight, and considering that I have to get up at 6:30 tomorrow for work I have a feeling it might be a good idea for me to get to bed.  What do you think?  ;)