The BBC’s miniseries based on Nancy Mitford’s The Pursuit of Love kicked off Lockdown 6.0 for me. And it was perfection – dare I say that it’s a rare case of ‘film’ being better than the book? Big call I know, particularly given that it’s Mitford we’re talking about.
What I loved about the tv series:
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- the casting is perfection (especially The Bolter and Lord Merlin)
- the soundtrack (current pop/rock matched with scenes from wartime Britain).
- satire can be so, so good (or absolutely not). The series gets it right and Linda, the brunt of the humour, comes out winning.
- and this scene is EVERYTHING.
I watched Episode 1, still prefer the book.
I am a huge Mitford fan and was skeptical – satire is so tricky – but I thought the series was playful and they’d fun with particular elements.
What a pity it’s on Prime. I refuse to give that tax-dodging company any of my money.
I get that. Fingers crossed it pops up on another service at some stage.
I thought Emily Beecham as Fanny, John Heffernan as Davey and Andrew Scott as Merlin were perfection in the tv adaptation. I even managed to bear Dominic West who gave a good turn as Uncle Matthew. I wasn’t so keen on Lily James as Linda, but that’s mainly because I don’t rate her as an actor generally. I didn’t think she quite captured how going to France with Christian changed Linda. And I completely agree about the soundtrack. That is a stroke of genius.
I’ve been wondering when it would happen, and now I can categorically say I’m getting old! I can see from the trailer that Mitford has been reimagined – very well – by someone from the C21st, but I can see now I am firmly anchored in the 20th and probably closer to the 50s than the 90s.
Loud applause! I’ll be watching this again!
I haven’t watched this series yet as I was a bit worried – have you seen Love in a Cold climate with Rosamund Pike and Celia Imrie? I wonder if it was as good as that?
This series was excellent and beautifully stylised, I’m so glad to have found your blog as wouldn’t have found the series otherwise. The dance scene was captivating, especially for those of us devoid of fun whilst in lockdown. It’s worth subscribing to prime just for 7days to watch. Also thought your nod to Love & Anarchy was excellent. You have good taste. Thanks.