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Dom Robinson reviews

Gormenghast

Six murders, two seductions and three tragic deaths...
who will rule Gormenghast?

Distributed by

Cert:
Cat.no: BBCDVD 1017
Running time: 232 minutes
Year: 1999
Pressing: 2000
Region(s): 2 (UK PAL)
Chapters: 48 plus extras
Sound: Dolby Surround (Dolby Digital 2.0)
Languages: English
Subtitles: English for the hard of hearing
Widescreen: 16:9 (1.77:1)
16:9-enhanced: Yes
Macrovision: No
Disc Format: 2 * DVD 9
Price: £29.99
Extras : Scene index, Booklet, Featurette, Character Profiles, Design Gallery, Deaths, Interview Clips

Director: Andy Wilson

Producer:

Estelle Daniel

Adapted from the novel by:

Mervyn Peake

Music:

Richard Rodney Bennett

Starring:

Steerpike: Jonathan Rhys-Meyers
Lord Groan: Ian Richardson
Lady Gertrude: Celia Imrie
Titus: Andrew Robertson
Fuchsia: Neve McIntosh
Clarice Groan: Zo� Wanamaker
Cora Groan: Lynsey Baxter

Gormenghast is a BBC production based on a trilogy of books by Mervyn Peake and if I recall correctly, only the first two were used here and then not all of it will have been converted into four hours of sumptious costume drama. Downsizing things further, how can I summarise the plot in a handful of paragraphs? I can't really, but I'll have a go.

Frumpy Lady Gertrude Groan (Celia Imrie) has just given birth to a boy, Titus, the 77th Earl of Gormenghast. Nothing has changed in the Gormenghast household for thousands of years but new kitchen-boy Steerpike (Jonathan Rhys-Meyers) has more than a few plans up his sleeve to throw a spanner in the works. Only Titus can possibly stand in his way and must do if the Gormenghast culture is to continue.

There's nothing else to say in this paragraph other than to list the others actors in the production, some with more of a part to play than others, Ian Richardson, Zo� Wanamaker, Sean Hughes, June Brown, Windsor Davies, Stephen Fry, Richard Griffiths, Christopher Lee, Spike Milligan, Warren Mitchell, John Sessions, Fiona Shaw and Eric Sykes.

Gormenghast was first broadcast on TV in the UK from January 2000.

Presented in an anamorphic 16:9 widescreen ratio, one thing that can't be denied is that it looks superb. Nothing in the way of artifacts, plus exceptional and colourfully-designed set pieces make this a joy to look at, even if the script isn't.

The sound is presented in Dolby Surround (Dolby Digital 2.0) and is either standard dialogue at normal volume, or over-the-top sounds which dominate the speakers and give you a headache when played at the top of the scale. It's all perfectly clear though.

Extras :

Chapters :

12 chapters to an episode, making 48 in total which is fine.

Languages & Subtitles :

Dolby Surround in English only, plus subtitles for the same.

And there's more... :

Presented in stylish silver, the Booklet includes brief summaries of each episode, a summary of the characters and comments from set designer, Christopher Hobbs.

A 32-minute Behind the Scenes Featurette is included and the expanded version allows you access to more info when clicking on icons that appear throughout. A Design Gallery is also included showing the costumes and Deaths pin-points those who didn't make it. The former two extras mix in both Character Profiles and Interview Clips as they go. All of the extras are in anamorphic 16:9 widescreen.

Menu :

Nicely and subtly animated and scored for most menus apart from the static scene selection.

Overall :

Whether you buy this will be determined as to whether you liked it. It's a programme that will divide people - some will love it, some will hate it. The single star I've awarded it will not suggest the former although it's worth a look for the set design.

The extras are well-presented and the picture and sound are great, so if you are a fan there's no reason not to buy it.

FILM CONTENT PICTURE QUALITY SOUND QUALITY EXTRAS
OVERALL

Review copyright © Dominic Robinson, 2000.

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