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Post by SockMonkey on Apr 6, 2015 22:34:02 GMT
I thought it was great! If you are expecting the hot steamy Tudors or the violence of Outlander, you're not going to find it in the subtleties of Wolf Hall. Wolf Hall is like a more subtle Tudors version of House of Cards. Lots of machinations. And, it's really about Thomas Cromwell, who most people don't know much about. I LOVED both books (and can't wait for the third), and this did not disappoint me. But, if you are unfamiliar with Cromell, Wolsey, Thomas More, this may not seem all that interesting to you... but give it a chance.
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Post by rst on Apr 6, 2015 22:44:18 GMT
I absolutely loved the books' portrayal of Thomas Cromwell -- complex, likable, human, but also highly exceptional.
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Post by myboysnme on Apr 6, 2015 22:49:11 GMT
My Scottish ancestors fought Cromwell's forces and were defeated and sent on prisoner ships to the Saugus Iron Bogs in New England. I am interested in this for that reason, too.
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Post by peano on Apr 7, 2015 14:44:24 GMT
I thought it was great! If you are expecting the hot steamy Tudors or the violence of Outlander, you're not going to find it in the subtleties of Wolf Hall. Wolf Hall is like a more subtle Tudors version of House of Cards. Lots of machinations. And, it's really about Thomas Cromwell, who most people don't know much about. I LOVED both books (and can't wait for the third), and this did not disappoint me. But, if you are unfamiliar with Cromell, Wolsey, Thomas More, this may not seem all that interesting to you... but give it a chance. I did not read the books but I absolutely adored the first episode. I have developed a big crush on the Cromwell portrayed by Mark Rylance. He's wicked quick and smart, educated, insolent even to the king, yet oh so tender with his little girls. Was a little taken aback at how open he was being with the Tynedale Bible--having it delivered to his house, meeting with sympathizers openly--seemingly recklessly courting charges of heresy. Also, I think it's beautifully staged and photographed. My only complaint was that so much switching back and forth in time interfered with continuity for me. The jury's still out for me on Damian Lewis as Henry. Maybe it's because he's so strongly associated with Homeland for me. But at least he's more physically like Henry in terms of coloring,compared to Rhys Myers, who is no ginger and always looks like he's been crying--SO not Henry.
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Post by alexa11 on Apr 7, 2015 22:14:41 GMT
Hope this gets better! I know it's not The Tudors, but I need a little more excitement.
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QueenoftheSloths
Drama Llama
Member Since January 2004, 2,698 forum posts PeaNut Number: 122614 PeaBoard Title: StuckOnPeas
Posts: 5,955
Jun 26, 2014 0:29:24 GMT
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Post by QueenoftheSloths on Apr 7, 2015 22:53:31 GMT
My Scottish ancestors fought Cromwell's forces and were defeated and sent on prisoner ships to the Saugus Iron Bogs in New England. I am interested in this for that reason, too. Just a heads up for you, that was Oliver Cromwell, not Thomas. That battle was during the reign of Charles II, so approximately 100 years after the events of this show.
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Post by SockMonkey on Apr 7, 2015 22:55:06 GMT
I thought it was great! If you are expecting the hot steamy Tudors or the violence of Outlander, you're not going to find it in the subtleties of Wolf Hall. Wolf Hall is like a more subtle Tudors version of House of Cards. Lots of machinations. And, it's really about Thomas Cromwell, who most people don't know much about. I LOVED both books (and can't wait for the third), and this did not disappoint me. But, if you are unfamiliar with Cromell, Wolsey, Thomas More, this may not seem all that interesting to you... but give it a chance. I did not read the books but I absolutely adored the first episode. I have developed a big crush on the Cromwell portrayed by Mark Rylance. He's wicked quick and smart, educated, insolent even to the king, yet oh so tender with his little girls. Was a little taken aback at how open he was being with the Tynedale Bible--having it delivered to his house, meeting with sympathizers openly--seemingly recklessly courting charges of heresy. Also, I think it's beautifully staged and photographed. My only complaint was that so much switching back and forth in time interfered with continuity for me. The jury's still out for me on Damian Lewis as Henry. Maybe it's because he's so strongly associated with Homeland for me. But at least he's more physically like Henry in terms of coloring,compared to Rhys Myers, who is no ginger and always looks like he's been crying--SO not Henry. In the book, he kept his bible in a locked cabinet or something. I'm sure for purposes of exposition they had to show him with it and have him talking to his wife about it, or most viewers wouldn't understand that it was something to be hidden, contraband. The time shifting was a little tricky, but I think they had to do it so that viewers would have context. It's hard to jam those two massive books into 6 hours of television. I'd love to see the stage production!!!
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Post by myboysnme on Apr 7, 2015 22:55:52 GMT
My Scottish ancestors fought Cromwell's forces and were defeated and sent on prisoner ships to the Saugus Iron Bogs in New England. I am interested in this for that reason, too. Just a heads up for you, that was Oliver Cromwell, not Thomas. That battle was during the reign of Charles II, so approximately 100 years after the events of this show. Thank you for that! And I'm married to a history teacher, lol! I didn't have any idea.....and feel like an idiot
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Post by femalebusiness on Apr 8, 2015 1:35:56 GMT
Another here who fell asleep. I watched the first half hour and then couldn't keep my eyes open. It wasn't as interesting as I thought it would be but I'm going to try to catch the rerun and give it another try. I didn't record it.
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Post by kath323 on Apr 8, 2015 2:25:15 GMT
I thought book 1 was painfully boring, so I was not expecting to be wow-ed by the first episode. And my suspicious proved true. I read book 1 and listened to Bringing Up the Bodies, which I liked so much better. I am hoping the pace picks up and i will definitely be watching the rest of the series. I loved the casting, costumes and sets, though. Really a beautiful show to watch, just a bit slow.
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Post by leftturnonly on Apr 8, 2015 2:43:46 GMT
I record nothing.
I just watched it at PBS.org. .... and fought falling asleep.
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QueenoftheSloths
Drama Llama
Member Since January 2004, 2,698 forum posts PeaNut Number: 122614 PeaBoard Title: StuckOnPeas
Posts: 5,955
Jun 26, 2014 0:29:24 GMT
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Post by QueenoftheSloths on Apr 8, 2015 3:19:05 GMT
Just a heads up for you, that was Oliver Cromwell, not Thomas. That battle was during the reign of Charles II, so approximately 100 years after the events of this show. Thank you for that! And I'm married to a history teacher, lol! I didn't have any idea.....and feel like an idiot Please don't be embarrassed, that was totally not my intention at all. I debated posting at all, because I knew I would sound like an annoying know it all.
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anniebygaslight
Drama Llama
I'd love a cup of tea. #1966
Posts: 7,394
Location: Third Rock from the sun.
Jun 28, 2014 14:08:19 GMT
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Post by anniebygaslight on Apr 8, 2015 7:07:26 GMT
I enjoyed it even though I can't abide Hilary Mantel.
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Post by myboysnme on Apr 8, 2015 19:51:50 GMT
Thank you for that! And I'm married to a history teacher, lol! I didn't have any idea.....and feel like an idiot Please don't be embarrassed, that was totally not my intention at all. I debated posting at all, because I knew I would sound like an annoying know it all. I'm glad you did post. When I told my husband my blunder he looked at me like "Duh. Everyone knows that." Haha!
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Post by sues on Apr 8, 2015 19:55:45 GMT
I loved the book, loved the Cromwell perspective. I thought the book was brilliantly written and not at all boring. But the show, I thought was a little bit of a snooze. I will keep watching though..maybe this was just a slow start.
I had been re-watching The Tudors, to tide me over until Wolf Hall aired. I love that show. An article I read about Wolf Hall kind of dissed The Tudors aa overly airbrushed and beautiful, or something like that. OK- so the real people didn't look like Jeremy Northam and Sam Neill. I get it. But I thought that show was so well done.
I didn't expect WH to be even remotely the same, so it's not the look of it, or the actors that make me say it was sort of slow. I had a little trouble with the time shifting and how some things were so important in the book, but got very little attention in the show...like his relationship with his daughters and his wife. His family life was such a big part of the book, it was surprising to see it so reduced in the show. Time is a factor though, I know.
anniebygaslight- why can't you abide Hilary Mantel? Is she obnoxious? (Just curious. I have never seen her in anything but a picture.)
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Post by anxiousmom on Apr 8, 2015 20:01:12 GMT
I had been re-watching The Tudors, to tide me over until Wolf Hall aired. I love that show. An article I read about Wolf Hall kind of dissed The Tudors aa overly airbrushed and beautiful, or something like that. OK- so the real people didn't look like Jeremy Northam and Sam Neill. I get it. But I thought that show was so well done. Not too mention Henry Carvill as the Duke of Suffolk. *hubba hubba*
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Post by nitad on Apr 13, 2015 3:34:56 GMT
Oh, I'm glad it wasn't just me! I was so looking forward to this but it was BORING!! And I've never watched anything on this time period where they made you feel sympathy for Cardinal Woolsey before! My PVR schedule is pretty full up on Sunday nights with Outlander, Call the Midwife, Game of Thrones and Once Upon a Time so I think I'll just drop Wolf Hall off the schedule.
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Post by mrst on Apr 13, 2015 18:31:37 GMT
Not at all keen on this series or the books. Hillary Mantel has strong and somewhat different views of historical events compared with other academics.
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Post by Meri-Lyn on Apr 21, 2015 23:25:55 GMT
Brit TV fans, I just realized Jane Rochford is Jenny from Call the Midwife (I said Jane Seymour by mistake before). I wondered why she left, it's always funny when they turn up in another show.
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Post by scrappintoee on Jun 4, 2015 3:31:56 GMT
We're bummed that it was only 6 epis !!!!
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