Pillars of the earth (TV prog)

**Gorrrrrn** · October 16, 2010, 12:40 PM

TV series on UK Channel4 starts tonight
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/t...s-of-the-earth

set in 12th century england and based on the novel by Ken Follett
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pillars_of_the_Earth

no prizes for spotting the inaccuracies.

(some people may already have seen this in other countries.)

**Tears of Destiny** · October 17, 2010, 01:05 AM

Thank you very much!

**delra** · October 17, 2010, 03:23 AM

Read the book instead!

**WelshDragon** · October 17, 2010, 07:34 AM

Originally Posted by delra

Read the book instead!

Yeah, usually always better in the written word and this is no exception; however, the mini-series was very well done and worth watching, preferably after reading it, but still an enjoyable viewing either way.

**RabidSheepLegion** · October 17, 2010, 06:18 AM

Yea, seen it on demand in the States here... I like it

**Gorrrrrn** · October 17, 2010, 08:57 AM

I'll probably try and watch the rest of the mini-series.

**Neptune7** · October 17, 2010, 02:01 PM

The book is amazing. I read it years ago. Any other medieval historical fiction books along those lines?

**delra** · October 17, 2010, 02:07 PM

Speaking of TV, I really liked this one: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00schjq

Nothing really inventive and nothing I haven't read/seen before - except for the crapload of castles this guy visits. I like how he explains Motte&Bailey philosophy among other things.

Made me play England until I remembered how boring it is, then Sicily until I remembered how poor AI is at defending against naval invasions and then Norway until I remembered I don't need Viking raids to be filthy rich in Scandinavia. :-)

**Julius Barca the Great** · October 17, 2010, 03:45 PM

Interesting. I should probably see if I can't watch that. The book it's based on is one of my favorite books.

**arcsquad12** · October 17, 2010, 08:24 PM

It's a really good series. Don't bother with historical accuracy, since the town doesn't exist anyways. It is "historical fiction", set against the backdrop of The Anarchy.

**Kawee** · October 18, 2010, 01:22 AM

Delra, I can't actually watch the program you quoted, is there anywhere I can find it?

I think I might pick up the book. Been looking for some historical novels to read, and I'm a big fan of Bernard Cornwell. Any similarities?

**Gorrrrrn** · October 18, 2010, 05:17 AM

The Normans was a good idea for a programme but Bartlett succeeded in making it dull - I dozed off during each episode.
(Lucky I was saving it to the hard drive at the same time!)

also on TV in UK at present (must be medieval year or summat):

Michael Wood's Story of England which looks at English history through the optic of the Leicestershire villages of Kibworth
village info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kibworth
bbc iplayer (if you missed the progs): http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode...ns_to_Normans/
link will reveal other episodes.
beeb is also re-showing Dr Alixe Bovey's "In Search of medieval Britain" loosely based around the roads marked on Gough's map of
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode...ain_Heartlands
there's also episodes of war walks being shown:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode...v_episode_page
and finally Terry Deary's prog on the battle of Towton is being shown on wednesday 20th October
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00sj1ry