“The Pillars of the Earth” is a finely crafted, eight-hour miniseries based on the 1989 novel of the same name by Ken Follett. The story centers on the construction of a cathedral in Kingsbridge, a fictitious town on the outskirts of London. The historical backdrop is a period of English history, 1138-1153, when England and Normandy were in a civil war. The grandchildren of William the Conqueror were fighting amongst themselves for the throne of England.
The ensemble cast did an outstanding job of portraying their medieval characters. They were provided quality material in John Pielmeier’s teleplay. Director Sergio Mimica-Gezzan kept a clear and understandable direction to this motion picture from a long and complex novel that could have overwhelmed viewers with large quantities of information.
Ian McShane heads the cast in his unforgettable performance as clergyman Waleran Bigod. Donald Sutherland has a small but pivotal role as Earl Bartholomew. The supporting cast includes Hayley Atwell, Matthew Macfadyen, Eddie Redmayne, Sarah Parish, Natalia Worner, John Pielmeier, Robert Bathhurst, Sam Claflin, Liam Garrigan, Gotz Otto, Skye Bennett, Clive Wood, Freddie Boath, and Gordon Pinsent as the Archbishop of Canterbury. Tony Curran as King Stephen and Alison Pill as his nemesis cousin Princess Maude are especially royally evil.
“The Pillars of the Earth” is a very watchable historic drama from executive producers Ridley Scott and Tony Scott, Tandem Communications, Muse Entertainment Enterprises, and Scott Free Productions. It debuted on Channel 4 (U.K.), Starz (U.S.), and The Movie Network (Canada) in 2010.
The Pillars of the Earth (2010)
cinema
My Review
“The Pillars of the Earth” is a finely crafted, eight-hour miniseries based on the 1989 novel of the same name by Ken Follett. The story centers on the construction of a cathedral in Kingsbridge, a fictitious town on the outskirts of London. The historical backdrop is a period of English history, 1138-1153, when England and Normandy were in a civil war. The grandchildren of William the Conqueror were fighting amongst themselves for the throne of England.
The ensemble cast did an outstanding job of portraying their medieval characters. They were provided quality material in John Pielmeier’s teleplay. Director Sergio Mimica-Gezzan kept a clear and understandable direction to this motion picture from a long and complex novel that could have overwhelmed viewers with large quantities of information.
Ian McShane heads the cast in his unforgettable performance as clergyman Waleran Bigod. Donald Sutherland has a small but pivotal role as Earl Bartholomew. The supporting cast includes Hayley Atwell, Matthew Macfadyen, Eddie Redmayne, Sarah Parish, Natalia Worner, John Pielmeier, Robert Bathhurst, Sam Claflin, Liam Garrigan, Gotz Otto, Skye Bennett, Clive Wood, Freddie Boath, and Gordon Pinsent as the Archbishop of Canterbury. Tony Curran as King Stephen and Alison Pill as his nemesis cousin Princess Maude are especially royally evil.
“The Pillars of the Earth” is a very watchable historic drama from executive producers Ridley Scott and Tony Scott, Tandem Communications, Muse Entertainment Enterprises, and Scott Free Productions. It debuted on Channel 4 (U.K.), Starz (U.S.), and The Movie Network (Canada) in 2010.