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(More customer reviews)Thackeray's "Vanity Fair" is such a sprawling, grand example of the Victorian novel that any mere two-hour movie adaptation will be forced to leave out crucial elements. As it is, this six-hour BBC film version emits certain items (Jos Sedley's ultimate fate, the James Crawley episode), but is remarkably faithful to its source. Indeed, a television mini-series is the best way to adapt such a work, allowing the story to unfold and the viewer to become involved with the various characters.
This production is fantastic, with beautiful costumes, excellent performances, and a fine script. Chief among its attractions is Natasha Little in the key role of Becky Sharp. Miss Little is not only luminously beautiful, but manages to arouse our sympathies toward a virtually unsympathetic character. Special mention must also go to Jeremy Swift, whose portrayal of bumbling Jos Sedley is a delight. Miriam Margolyes (always wonderful) and Eleanor Bron appear in secondary roles. The rest of the cast is well-chosen and all play their parts with conviction.
The greatest hurdle a filmed version of "Vanity Fair" faces is how to convey the many shifts of tone which Thackeray goes through in the novel. This problem has been solved by use of an unusual score, which draws from such diverse sources as military marching bands, Strauss waltzes (wrong for the period but who cares?), and a bit of Kurt Weill. Murray Gold's score never lets us forget that we are in the world of Thackeray's biting satire, and not Jane Austen's more delicate world of comedy-of-manners.
All told, it will take a long time before this film treatment is bettered.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Vanity Fair (1999)
A&E and the BBC bring Thackeray's classic satire to life in a lavishnew production.In a culture obsessed with status, Becky Sharp-beautiful, clever and poor-is determined toearn her place in society. Her childhood friend, Amelia Sedley, enjoys the privilegesBecky lacks, little realizing how fickle these blessings can beFrom posh London ballrooms and country estates to the battlefield at Waterloo, theypursue love and fortune in the self-absorbed world of the British upper crust. While thedelightfully amoral Becky manipulates the men around her, Amelia's innocence and thevagaries of fate leave her at the mercy of others.Brilliantly adapted by Andrew Davies (Pride and Prejudice) from William MakepeaceThackeray's masterpiece, VANITY FAIR faithfully preserves the bon mots and stingingsatire that has made the novel one of the enduring classics of English literature.
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