Ghost Story (1 of 5) : Number 13 by M.R. James

Ghost Story
Number 13
M.R. James
(1 of 5)

Category:

Entertainment

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• Number
• 13
• Ghost
• Story
• James

[steerpike66]

This one is crap; too much meddling in basic themes; and the insertion of all those sexual subtexts would have depressed and alienated James. Why are the people in these modern adaptations always played as rude, aggressive or aloof? James' men are always friendly and civilized. I don't recognize this dickhead at all.

[steerpike66]

I blame the emphasis in modern life on aggressive tension and 'conflict' the stories aren't dark enough already; they have to be Eastenderised, with everyone acting like assholes to each other.

[janknuckey]

yes, very disappointing....not a patch on the terror of the old programmes

[waimun85]

i feel so boring

[randomdave30]

@steerpike66 Unfortunately it's 'modern' which means it's got to have sexuality and attitude and bad manners. 

[TheEmperorBokassa]

Those are dessert spoons, one of the women appears to be eating with a serving spoon- or possibly even a ladle !

[Fraterculae]

i live in a village often used for filming .. everything from agatha christie to MR james to midsomer murders to eastenders. Many of the actors live around here. I had hoped the old tales would rub off on the village, instead the modern villagers have rubbed off on the old stories. Eastenders actors popping up in Christie stories .. "oi, did you spill my pint" .. :(

[ScottfromTexas]

@Fraterculae - glad you observe this as do I.

[Fraterculae]

@steerpike66 yes we are painting historical characters with modern attitude. Then life starts to mirror art and we start acting like these over acting people. I need all the subtle role models i can get just now!

[psynno1]

@steerpike66 Spot on. I agree. They lack the subtleties of the earlier 1970's BBc adaptations. You can't relate to these bad actors at all. Everything is overplayed and the director is too aware of himself. Compare this to Whistle and I'll Come... or A Warning to the Curious to see true filmmaking by Laurence Gordon Clark and others...

[thesanantoniokid]

I think Steerpike's at least partly right; modern adaptors tend to feel they have to make characters overly "dark" and "complex" (which tends to come across as assholery if not very well done or essential to the story) because they think modern audiences won't accept or relate to a character portrayed as MRJ portrayed most of his; decent, well-meaning and civilised; all very Victorian values and not much appreciated now, in fiction at least.