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Thread: His Dark Materials - what do you think so far?

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    HEXUS.timelord. Zak33's Avatar
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    His Dark Materials - what do you think so far?

    I have waited until I'd seen three - to ensure I wasn't talking nonsense.

    But thus far.. I'm far far more pleased that I ever expected to be!

    I'm no hardcore fan, haven't read the books, (and I even quite liked The Golden Compass film, though I understand it left a lot to be desired.)

    But this TV series genuinely has me, and my family, hooked quite deeply! The choice of actors is superb, with some genuinely wise choices for ols haggard faces with good acting skills.
    I've seen tempestuous anger and a few funny moments too.

    Am I going mad ? Is this BBC TV doing a fine job?

    Quote Originally Posted by Advice Trinity by Knoxville
    "The second you aren't paying attention to the tool you're using, it will take your fingers from you. It does not know sympathy." |
    "If you don't gaffer it, it will gaffer you" | "Belt and braces"

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    Re: His Dark Materials - what do you think so far?

    When you spend £50 million, I'd better hope that they'd do a good job. I don't have the right to say yet as I've only watched the first episode, but as I've read the books, I feel like it's missing some child like magic that you get from the books. I used to love watching Merlin, If they could have captured the essence of that first series and integrated it here It'd be a top show. There's more to be seen yet anyway and I hope it pulls me back to the time I read the books!

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    Banhammer in peace PeterB kalniel's Avatar
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    Re: His Dark Materials - what do you think so far?

    It's bloody amazing.

    I'm glad you're getting on with it without having read the books - I thought it might be a bit hard to follow sometimes or some of the references might be a bit quick.

    A shame real life oxford isn't as diverse though.

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    Re: His Dark Materials - what do you think so far?

    I keep seeing the ad for this on Amazon, is it the same storyline/universe as the Golden Compass then? Thought it looked familiar but not really a lot of TV time these days...

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    Re: His Dark Materials - what do you think so far?

    I never understood the hate for the Golden Compass - other than the name being wrong - it was cramming a lot of story into quite a short time. I'd have been interested to see where they went with it for eps 2 and 3.
    As for the BBC/HBO series, I'm enjoying it. There was one particular element that irked, but I'm going to let it go and see what they do with it... Visually, it's great, and well made, can't wait for it to come out on UHD...

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    Re: His Dark Materials - what do you think so far?

    I haven't watched it (yet) so no opinion on it directly.

    My reservation is based on years of experiencing TV (or movie) versions of things I first experienced by reading the books and rarely is it a flattering comparison.

    Maybe its just that you rarely get a Spielberg megahit-level production budget, or maybe I have a vivid imagination, but it's nearly always (I can't think of an exception) a bit of a disappointment .... or a lot of one.

    Maybe this is the exception?
    A lesson learned from PeterB about dignity in adversity, so Peter, In Memorium, "Onwards and Upwards".

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    Re: His Dark Materials - what do you think so far?

    Quote Originally Posted by [GSV]Trig View Post
    I keep seeing the ad for this on Amazon, is it the same storyline/universe as the Golden Compass then? Thought it looked familiar but not really a lot of TV time these days...
    its' the same story, but better told and I understand, it will go a little firther. It has some proper digs at the Catholic Church/Majesterium, which the Hollywood film utterly failed on.

    There are... nearly zero TV shows that hold me for more than half an hour. This one is superb.

    If it doesn't win a mountain of awards I'll be shocked.

    Quote Originally Posted by Advice Trinity by Knoxville
    "The second you aren't paying attention to the tool you're using, it will take your fingers from you. It does not know sympathy." |
    "If you don't gaffer it, it will gaffer you" | "Belt and braces"

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    Re: His Dark Materials - what do you think so far?

    Quote Originally Posted by Saracen999 View Post
    I haven't watched it (yet) so no opinion on it directly.

    My reservation is based on years of experiencing TV (or movie) versions of things I first experienced by reading the books and rarely is it a flattering comparison.

    Maybe its just that you rarely get a Spielberg megahit-level production budget, or maybe I have a vivid imagination, but it's nearly always (I can't think of an exception) a bit of a disappointment .... or a lot of one.

    Maybe this is the exception?
    Yup, I strongly believe it might be the one

    The Gyptians cast are truly stunning.

    James Cosmo


    Lucian Msamati


    Geoff Bell

    Now.. lets be clear..... they're the GOOD GUYS

    it's really quite a show and i'm loving it.

    Quote Originally Posted by Advice Trinity by Knoxville
    "The second you aren't paying attention to the tool you're using, it will take your fingers from you. It does not know sympathy." |
    "If you don't gaffer it, it will gaffer you" | "Belt and braces"

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    Re: His Dark Materials - what do you think so far?

    The wife and I are enjoying it.

    I've read the books (although probably due a re-read as it's been many years), the wife hasn't but that doesn't seem to have decreased her enjoyment.

    More importantly she's stayed awake through every episode which is high praise indeed!

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    Re: His Dark Materials - what do you think so far?

    Quote Originally Posted by circuitmonkey View Post

    more importantly she's stayed awake through every episode which is high praise indeed!
    this,,,,,/\

    Quote Originally Posted by Advice Trinity by Knoxville
    "The second you aren't paying attention to the tool you're using, it will take your fingers from you. It does not know sympathy." |
    "If you don't gaffer it, it will gaffer you" | "Belt and braces"

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    Banhammer in peace PeterB kalniel's Avatar
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    Re: His Dark Materials - what do you think so far?

    Quote Originally Posted by Saracen999 View Post
    I haven't watched it (yet) so no opinion on it directly.

    My reservation is based on years of experiencing TV (or movie) versions of things I first experienced by reading the books and rarely is it a flattering comparison.

    Maybe its just that you rarely get a Spielberg megahit-level production budget, or maybe I have a vivid imagination, but it's nearly always (I can't think of an exception) a bit of a disappointment .... or a lot of one.

    Maybe this is the exception?
    Did you watch the BBC version of Gormenghast? Another book they said could never be made into a TV series/film, but it worked. It was absolutely not the same experience as reading the book, but it was great it its own right.

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    Re: His Dark Materials - what do you think so far?

    Quote Originally Posted by kalniel View Post
    Did you watch the BBC version of Gormenghast? Another book they said could never be made into a TV series/film, but it worked. It was absolutely not the same experience as reading the book, but it was great it its own right.
    Yes, and I take that point. Maybe partly my problem is, with books I really enjoyed, I expect (wrongly) them to be faithful to the story.

    But if it's not, if it's excessively re-imaginred, it might be good entertainment but is it really <insert name of original book>?
    A lesson learned from PeterB about dignity in adversity, so Peter, In Memorium, "Onwards and Upwards".

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    Re: His Dark Materials - what do you think so far?

    Quote Originally Posted by Zak33 View Post
    Yup, I strongly believe it might be the one

    ....

    it's really quite a show and i'm loving it.
    Well, okay then. I-player, here I come.

    A Zakky-endorsement like that has me at least intrigued enough to give it a try. .
    A lesson learned from PeterB about dignity in adversity, so Peter, In Memorium, "Onwards and Upwards".

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    Re: His Dark Materials - what do you think so far?

    i think you will be intrigued within half an hour... least I hope so!

    Quote Originally Posted by Advice Trinity by Knoxville
    "The second you aren't paying attention to the tool you're using, it will take your fingers from you. It does not know sympathy." |
    "If you don't gaffer it, it will gaffer you" | "Belt and braces"

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    Re: His Dark Materials - what do you think so far?

    So, I said to the missus last night that we needed to start watching it as apparently its good, so, by the time i get to bed shes already watching it and no idea how far in she is already lol..

    No wonder I dont watch much TV..

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    Re: His Dark Materials - what do you think so far?

    Quote Originally Posted by [GSV]Trig View Post
    So, I said to the missus last night that we needed to start watching it as apparently its good, so, by the time i get to bed shes already watching it and no idea how far in she is already lol..

    No wonder I dont watch much TV..
    Watch it from the start!!

    Quote Originally Posted by Advice Trinity by Knoxville
    "The second you aren't paying attention to the tool you're using, it will take your fingers from you. It does not know sympathy." |
    "If you don't gaffer it, it will gaffer you" | "Belt and braces"

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