Midwinter Of The Spirit

[poliphilo]

This is something a little out of the ordinary- a TV show that takes its metaphysics seriously. The hero is a vicar- and this really is a novelty- not a funny vicar but a weary professional- as jaded and cynical as any detective inspector or private eye. She's the diocesan exorcist- newly trained and palpably unconfident- and she's up against evil- not funny, camp evil- all horns and cackle and dry ice- but the real thing- invasive, corrupting, soul-destoying.  Again, we're in Herefordshire- Englands least populated county. When did you last see a TV show set in Herefordshire?  I should imagine never.

Anna Maxwell-Martin is the vicar, David Threlfall is her mentor; that's class. Herefordshire is lorn and beautiful and the spooky horrors are joltingly presented. The source is a series of books by Phil Rickman. He's written 12 and there's another on the way. If the show catches on it could run for years. 

Comments

[davesmusictank.livejournal.com]

This sounds fascinating, What channel is it on?

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

ITV. I watched it on the i-player.

[davesmusictank.livejournal.com]

Thanks. Will catch up with it.

[puddleshark.livejournal.com]

I love the books - Rickman is wonderful at conveying the ambiguity of what may, or may not, be supernatural events...

I'd worry that the ambiguity would be lost in a television production.

[heleninwales.livejournal.com]

We were quite taken with it. Husband is normally not a fan of anything supernatural, but there was enough ambiguity (and a bolshy teenage daughter to ground things and provide some real world problems!) so I think we'll keep on watching.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

It's early days but thus far the ambiguity has been preserved.

[ideealisme.livejournal.com]

Anna Maxwell Martin is so good.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

One of my favourite actors.

[dadi.livejournal.com]

I have read all Rickmann's books, not only the Merrily Watkins ones. I am always waiting for the next one to come out.. his characters have depth, and they are..different. I don't know if I want to see the whole thing on TV though.. I am always disappointed by movie or TV adaptions of my favourite books!

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I feel much the same way. I tend to avoid dramatizations of favourite books too.

So should I read the books and give up on the TV series?

Tricky.

[dadi.livejournal.com]

Well, give it a try and read the first one. Most times the books contain a lot more interesting people too.

Thanx for the heads up

[faunhaert.livejournal.com]

looks interesting

Pbs has been playing the mayfair murders
was thinking it was odd one village could hold that many killers
till i found out its a county.. including much more space and people.
should probably look at our county,
but most deaths here are suicides or old age or illness
not that many murders.

I love seeing the country and the interiors of the places.
the clothes are fun.
they use 60's-70's clothes not modern jeans.

books are often better
more room for details.
i tunes has done a good job of clearing out the youtube
i'm gonna have to get the library versions

Re: Thanx for the heads up

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Those shows are shot in locations across the west Midlands. They're good fun. I don't watch them regularly but enjoy them when I do.

[davesmusictank.livejournal.com]

Just watched it and i am quite impressed.