“Bulldog Drummond’s Peril” (1938)

Bulldog Drummond’s Peril

Brief Description:

Captain Bulldog Drummond finds himself searching for a serial killer who has chosen his targets based on a priceless diamond in high demand.

Date: 1938

Genre: American adventure crime mystery film

Running time: 1 hour 6 minutes

Cast: 

John Barrymore (Colonel Neilson)

John Howard (Captain Hugh 'Bulldog' Drummond)

Louise Campbell (Phyllis Clavering)

Reginald Denny (Algy Longworth)

E.E. Clive (Tenny)

Porter Hall (Dr. Max Botulian)

Elizabeth Patterson (Aunt Blanche Clavering)

Nydia Westman (Gwen Longworth)

Michael Brooke (Anthony Greer)

Halliwell Hobbes (Professor Bernard Goodman)

Matthew Boulton (Sir Raymond Blantyre)

Zeffie Tilbury (Mrs. Weevens)

David Clyde (Constable McThane)

Clyde Cook (Constable Sacker)

Austin Fairman (Roberts)

Director: James P. Hogan

Production company: Paramount Pictures

Based on: The Third Round by Herman C. McNeile

Wikipedia page

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Setting/Aesthetic/Feel: 3/5

Very 1930s in feel, with an interesting change from a Swiss hotel to busy London to a quiet neighbourhood. 

Characters: 3/5

A new fiancée for Hugh, with Phyllis Clavering the (lucky or unlucky?) lady. Bulldog was all right; Algy was the right amount of stupid; and Gwen was sweet, while the villains were nicely scary. I was annoyed by the colonel, but he wasn't so bad. 

Plot: 3/5

I felt like the story switched directions in the middle, when the synthetic diamonds storyline was taken over by a rival academic storyline. Then again, I had a hard time following this plot in general, and it didn't interest it me much. 

Romance: 3/5

It was fine; kinda cute, nothing more. 

Violence: 4/5 (low)

Mild violence. 

Overall: 3/5

It was okay, and I'm not sorry I watched it, but I doubt I will again. Just kinda blah... 

“North & South” (2004)

North & South

Brief Description:

The love story of Margaret Hale, a middle-class southerner who is forced to move to the northern town of Milton.

Date: 2004

Genre: British television serial historical drama book adaptation

Running time: 3 hours 52 minutes

Cast: 

Daniela Denby-Ashe (Margaret Hale)

Richard Armitage (John Thornton)

Sinéad Cusack (Hannah Thornton)

Brendan Coyle (Nicholas Higgins)

Tim Pigott-Smith (Richard Hale)

Pauline Quirke (Dixon)

Jo Joyner (Fanny Thornton)

Kay Lyon (Mary Higgins)

Tom Charnock (Williams)

William Houston (John Boucher)

Emma Owen (Edith Lennox)

Lesley Manville (Maria Hale)

Anna Maxwell Martin (Bessy Higgins)

Brian Protheroe (Mr. Bell)

Jane Booker (Mrs Shaw)

John Light (Henry Lennox)

Will Tacey (Mr. Latimer)

Lucy Brown (Ann Latimer)

Tim Faraday (Watson)

Rupert Evans (Frederick Hale)

Caroline Pegg (Mrs Boucher)

Travis Oliver (Captain Lennox)

David Crellin (Slickson)

Spencer Wild (Tom Boucher)

Director: Brian Percival

Production company: BBC

Based on: North & South by Elizabeth Gaskell

Wikipedia page

Setting/Aesthetic/Feel: 5/5

I have heard about this show from several friends in the most glowing terms, and I am so happy I finally watched it, because it's amazing! I loved the book so much and this show complements it so well. I absolutely love the setting and gorgeous outfits; I could watch this over and over to enjoy the background. 💙 

Characters: 5/5

Daniela Denby-Ashe is a perfect Margaret Hale. She's so beautiful and innocent and sweet, and yet so fiery! I never thought of John Thornton as broody, but Richard Armitage plays him so well. Sinéad Cusack makes a most striking Mrs. Thornton; Brendan Coyle is the most charismatic and loveable Nicholas Higgins despite the character's flaws; and Mr. + Mrs. Hale are better than in the book, while Dixon is so sweet. I hated Fanny SO MUCH but the Higgins girls were sweet and so is Mr. Bell!

Plot: 5/5

I honestly don't really remember the plot of North & South but I think this changes the story just a tiny bit. I really don't care, though. It captures the reality of Victorian England well and mixed grief, humour, and sweetness so well. 

Romance: 5/5

While I HATED the misunderstandings and pride that kept them apart so long, the last few minutes of the last episode made up for everything. I never understood why everyone talks about The Hand Flex™️; but the Offering a Hedge Rose when she was grieving the fact that they were missing is The Sweetest Thing Ever and I grinned like a fool over it 💙 this story reminds me of Pride & Prejudice, kind of like a sort of retelling! Also, either this book or Jane Eyre has a very mouthy kiss. I forget which. 

Theme/Message/Topics: 5/5

Just like the book, there's a lot of great thoughts about the mills and strikes. 

Content: 5/5 (low)

I think there's a few instances of swearing. 

Violence: 4/5 (low)

Mild violence when a mob tries to attack Thornton; a man is found suicided by drowning; mention of children starving.  

Overall: 5/5

This was such a beautiful experience and I love it so, so much 💙 

“Jane Eyre” (1983)

Jane Eyre 

Brief Description:

A young governess falls in love with her mysterious employer, but a terrible secret puts their happiness at risk.

Date: 1983

Genre: British television serial adaptation

Running time: 5 hours 11 minutes

Cast: 

Zelah Clarke (Jane Eyre)

Timothy Dalton (Mr. Rochester)

Carol Gillies (Grace Poole)

James Marcus (John)

Shady (Pilot)

Jean Harvey (Mrs. Fairfax)

Colin Jeavons (Briggs)

Damien Thomas (Mason)

Joolia Cappleman (Bertha)

Eve Matheson (Leah)

Morag Hood (Mary Rivers)

Blanche Youinou (Adèle)

Elaine Donnelly (Diana Rivers)

Kate David (Bessie)

Sian Pattenden (Young Jane)

Judy Cornwell (Mrs. Reed)

Andrew Bicknell (St. John Rivers)

Robert James (Brocklehurst)

Lockwood West (Wood)

Mary Tamm (Blanche Ingram)

Anne Dyson (Hannah)

Director: Julian Amyes

Production company: BBC 

Based on: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë  

Wikipedia page

Setting/Aesthetic/Feel: 5/5

This was my first time watching a Jane Eyre adaptation, and I was a bit anxious because JE is one of my top favourite books in the world. But within the very first episode I knew I'd absolutely love this. It was so detailed (11 episodes of ~30 minutes each) and captured the surroundings and atmosphere of the book SO well—especially the clothes and hair! 

Characters: 5/5

Jane is perfect. While not strictly pretty, she's little and fairylike and strong and passionate (and speaks french well enough to understand!). Rochester is a little bit too handsome, but he's brusque and impassioned and is big enough to emphasize Jane's smallness. Adèle (and her nurse!) is a french girl with a perfect accent, of course; and Mrs. Fairfax is so sweet. The other characters all play their parts well (St. John is perfect, but his sisters aren't pretty enough in my opinion) and overall I have no complaints for a single character here. 

Plot: 5/5

It follows the plot of Jane Eyre almost perfectly, and made me want to reread the book SO MUCH because of how accurate it is! 

Romance: 4/5

I would have preferred fewer kisses between Rochester & Jane, but otherwise it's good. (Either this show or North & South have a very mouthy kiss that made me uncomfortable. I forget which, unfortunately.)

Theme/Message/Topics: 5/5

Less God than in JE, but still a lot more than I expected! 

Content: 3/5 (medium)

Several instances of swearing; Mason's shirtless following his attack for several minutes.

Violence: 3/5 (medium)

The scene after Mason is attacked is pretty gory. 

Overall: 5/5

I lost my heart to this adaptation and I already want to rewatch it 💙