Without a doubt the best film adaptation of Madame Bovary; wonderful acting all round and as true to the book as one could hope for. And how beautiful Francesca Annis is, with her warm dark eyes and the sensual curve of her lips -- certainly a perfect Emma. Thank you so much for uploading!
I remember seeing this on Masterpiece Theater way back in 1975. Each episode had an introduction by Alistair Cooke which added immeasurably to the history of the novel and the psychological state Emma was in. I bought the VHS tape, wore it out, was fortunate to buy the DVD. When I first saw the series, I had already seen the excellent Vincente Minnelli's 1949 adaptation (back in the 50's). The waltz scene was the part that stayed with me for years and years. I was working in a boring job, with boring, female coworkers (Bell Telephone Company) at the time i watched the Masterpiece Theater series. Their mentality consisted of talking about their dishes and kids or who they picked up at a country western place, Brandin' Iron Nightclub, which is still operating. I felt like I was Madame Bovary working with these loutish females. I remember wearing tights and a leotard because I had ballet lessons before I arrived for work two days out of the week. These boring females exclaimed "what are you wearing!" Then when I answered what I was wearing, they wanted to know why I was wearing the tights and leotard. I replied I was taking ballet lessons. Bad answer. They all looked at me like I was some kind of freak and from then on, I could tell they viewed me as weird. Another coworker took me aside and told me to find another job (which I did) because of how stupid these females were when I would appear wearing my tights and leotard. I ended up changing before I came to work. So glad I finally got out of that job.
So far , for me, this is a great adaptation. You really feel yourself squirming at Bovary’s ineptness and the growing disillusionment of Emma. He is devoted to her of course. She is accomplished , beautiful, knowing. He, just content to lead an uncomplicated life. He is building up his practice, patients like him, he is pleasant, concerning, gentle. He can’t believe his luck to have such a wife. Emma is boiling with frustration. Her coolness, and growing detachment, he just doesn’t see., How many disillusioned wives are there out there today who got married only to find out their husbands were duffnuts? And how man guys have married women a few notches above them, and now feeling bewildered by their wives’ contempt? The story is contemporary for any age.
I've just finished reading the newest translation of Flaubert's "Madam B" by Lydia Davis. I couldn't put the book down and the ending nearly tore my heart out . I think this is the best televised version ever. Francesca Annis is now a grandmother and is still lovely.
She played Lady Audley in BBC R4 adaptation of Lady Audley's Secret several years ago. It was the only adaptation of this book that was actually any good. Technically Francesca was far too old to play Lady Audley who is early 20s - but on the radio it didn't matter. She is a class act.
Lovely to see this again! The second maid , I'm sure she was the maid in flambards who was dismissed due to her being pregnant , really loved that as a young teen...
Yes! She was in "Partners in Crime " a soo charming series about a married couple solving crimes in the 1930 and he was Norman in "The Norman conquests" a very nerving and very funny more-part comedy :)
@@susannestegmann3520 Ohh - Norman of "The Norman Conquests". But I'm not familiar with "Partners in Crime"; which actress played Tuppence. You didn't say.
I didn't know there was a version with Francesca Annis. This is wonderful. I always loved Jennifer Jones in Mdme.B and that wonderful scene when she's waltzing at the ball and looks up to see herself surrounded by admirers in the mirrored ceiling. I was disappointed in the turgid film with Mia Wasikowska but I'm sure this will be fabulous. Thank you!
+acechadwick You're very welcome. And I'm SO happy you discovered this M.T. gem - as I've stated many times in my comments, no other version can hold a candle to this one with Francesca Annis.
acechadwick There are excellent appropriately French versions (Isabelle Huppert, Christophe Malavoy, dir by the great Claude Chabrol) w English subtitles.
@Dramaadict IsBack: Thank you for your super nice comment, and for not mentioning the lousy audio quality - lol. Didn't know how to deal with it when I first did my uploading.
Really at the beginning you see the writing on the wall for this woman, she was complaining about her prospects of marrying from one dull farm life for another. The doctor didn't notice this is a problem, then his previous wife had concerns and he didn't pay attention to her either did he? He is choosing the wrong wife again. He needs a humble simple living wife, who likes the simple things. From the beginning of the marriage you can see she doesn't care about her new husband, the signs are all there.
But human wants are unlimited.. somewhere down the line even Emma also had to understand that you will never find perfection in life..all human beings are simply imperfect at everything..so rather than to fantasize romance, she could have devoted her life for the upbringing of her child which is also her responsibility which she failed to do so. So every character is one or the other way flawed..maybe I find Emma to be more flawed than Charles..just my interpretation
I saw a wonderful made for television version of Madame Bovary with Francis O'connor as Emma and Hugh Bonneville as Charles Bovary and the very handsome Rudolphe was played by Greg Wise it was totally fabulous very true to the magnificent book and I loved it very harrowing though!
@AnnE-mn8ny - Boy, am I sick and tired of these stupid, ungracious comments!! As I indicated on my "Community" Tab YEARS ago: "Sorry about the audio level folks; in all honesty, I don't have the tech savvy to fix it. But if you have your computer hooked up to a good set of speakers, like myself, you can control - and raise - the volume level via the speakers. I have no problem on my end."
It is the best version I have seen, it was a few years ago and was looking for! many thanks! I would not want to be annoying, but not that you could translate into Spanish? thank you!
Hi Tesy: You're very welcome - it's by far the best version I've ever seen also. And you're not annoying me - lol - but I really don't have the tech capacity or knowledge to provide a Spanish translation. Sorry.
Thank you soooo much for your gracious comment. Oh, BTW, where are YOUR uploads, Ibrahim? You criticize others with no uploads of your own?? Interesting.
Oh dear oh dear, the drama of her life. Males me thankful for the single life. I have not read the book. I can't wait to see her next depression and shenanigans.
You should read it. Then watch this again & critique. It's an important book. I loved it all three times I read it. I have a copy and maybe I'll go for four.
Brilliant observation Linda!! Odd, but I don't have any trouble on MY end!! If you take a second to check out the "About" tab on my page, I explain very clearly the reason for the "low volume". BTW, this is not a first-run theater, for which you pay a pretty penny. This is Y.T., for which you didn't pay one cent. You should be bloody grateful this is even uploaded, but, if not, go elsewhere for that "perfect" upload!!!!
It was probably deliberate to show how rubbish everything was outside of Paris in those days. The Beeb did a version of |Pride and Prejudice years ago - not the Colin Firth version - where one of the sisters sings really badly I remarked on this to my dad and he said it's actually hard to sing or play an instrument to make it sound bad in a funny way and not just a racket, and the actress was probably a trained singer.
@Crazeyfor67: I don't see any uploads on your page. I have 780 subs - you have 3!!! Funny - idiots like you, with no uploads of their own, have the biggest mouths, whining and complaining about someone ELSE's uploads!! If you took a little time, and went to my "About" page, you'd see the reason for the low volume, stated clearly and simply in black and white. In the future, mind your manners and show a little respect for those who take the time and trouble to upload. So, STFU, classless fool!!
heardofjohn When someone graciously provides a splendid classic at no cost to the viewer, they deserve accolades not pettiness. If one had taken the time to read the provider’s home page and willingness to disclose their own dilemmas (so rare on line as it attracts a pack of hyaenas) your negative comment would be addressed as it is: Thoughtless, Petty, Rude, Uncalled For and Inappropriate. Thank you, heardof for your efforts. They are deeply appreciated.
For a really cool video about the incredible story of the trial of Gustave Flaubert, accused of "insulting the public morals and offending decent manners" by publisging the serialised version of the novel "Madame Bovary" in a Paris magazine, take a look at this : ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-qmpvT-I8Ytw.html
1) Hope you perfected it! 2) I can hear it perfectly. 3) And you could too if you weren't too cheap to invest in a good set of speakers. 4) Your gratuitously nasty comments are maybe less than 1% of all the polite and appreciative comments on my videos, so, go to hell, moron.
@MsVanorak - Yes, you WERE being snide, you POS - and I guess I don't deserve the almost 129,000 views! LOL. Jealous much!! I have 912 subscribers - you have 44. Nuff' said!!!
@P: Check my "About" tab. BTW, when YOU start taking the time and trouble to upload ANYTHING, then maybe you have the right to criticize the uploads of others!!! In the meantime, I'll refund you for all the money you paid to watch this.
@@heardofjohn6854 I have every right to criticize something I can't hear when other channels are audible. Don't preach to me and be passive aggressive when I simply said I couldn't hear. Are you insulted by my remark and taking it personally or something? If I can't hear I can't hear. It's a fact that's all.
@@heardofjohn6854 and btw there's no option to enjoy something I can't hear free or not. Your comment is very toxic and angry. Why? And why would I go check out another channel of someone who talks so nastily? Why does the internet make so many people act like psychos.?
@@user-pc8ee8sx7v As you have the right to criticize MY uploads, I have every right to respond - or do you think you can dish it out without having to take a legitimate response!? As for "psycho", and "passive aggressive", my legitimate anger is not "passive". I told you straight out what I think of you and your gratuitously rude comment. Your comments are clearly projections of your own lack of kindness and courtesy. So DON'T YOU BE PREACHING TO ME, YOU CRETINOUS TURD!! The fact that "you can't hear it" MAY in fact BE fact, but the fact that you feel compelled to state this has an element of nasty pleasure behind it. And THAT'S a fact. So "P" off, you obnoxious skank.
@@user-pc8ee8sx7v "Why would I go check out another channel of someone who talks so nastily?" - who suggested you check out another channel??? What the F does that even mean? You talk in non sequiturs for someone who clearly thinks of him/herself as intellectually superior. Now, next time you feel this urgent need to be nasty, just file this away for future reference: you may be hurting or angering the person at the other end, who in turn HAS THE RIGHT TO RESPOND. Yeah: "why does the internet make so many people act like psychos?" And you don't think that applies to you??? Obtuse jerk.
is anyone else disappointed by Tom Conti’s version of Charles? I think he is too much “Tom Conti” And too little Flaubert’s Dr Bovary. Other actors have been more impressive I think. Francesca of course is fabulous.
