[Chris Lampe]

Ridley Scott has produced an 8-part mini-series of Follett's "Pillars of the Earth" and episode one premieres Friday, July 23rd.

I watched a 30 minute special on the production of the mini-series and it looks like it has potential to do the book justice. Probably not too close as far as historical accuracy is concerned but then, what Ridley Scott production ever is?

It seems pretty well cast for some of the central figures and the guy who played Al Swearingen in HBO's Deadwood is in it. The Pillars of the Earth is a Starz production but it's showing on Encore here. I'm really looking forward to it!

[Chuck Russell]

ug I'll never get to see it. all the good shows go to HBO etc.

[Kel Rekuta]

The Canadian network showing that series came to our salle last week to shoot some theme & promo stuff. The team they brought got an hour lesson in swordplay, got to chop up some tatami and watermelons and then interviewed a couple of us. In return, they gave us prerelease copies of the first two episodes! Aside from Ian McShane (Al Swearengen from Deadwood) a couple fine Canadian actors Donald Sutherland and Gordon Pinsent have supporting roles.

Loved it - good brain candy once you get over the historical train wrecks in the sets, costumes and stunt fighting. Its entertainment - nothing more.

[Steve Grisetti]

I very much enjoyed the book and would like to see this miniseries. But, no cable at home, so I must wait for DVD release.

[Bruno Cerkuenik]

the scenery is quite good, but armours and swordsmanship is not.

nobles wearing Roman armour? Fighting with longswords at 1140?

I even saw a soldier wearing an ibelin tunic!

Maybe R. Scott granted them the tunics used at KoH..

[Lin Robinson]

I have watched the first four episodes and am not very impressed. Unfortunately this show is like a lot of "mini-series" which, with 8 hours or so to fill, stumble around a lot, looking for a thread of a story and not really finding it. I prefer motion pictures which have to have a beginning, a middle and an end, all wrapped up in 3 hours or less. Lord of the Rings was an exception, mainly because the work it was taken from was monumental to start with and Peter Jackson and company stuck to the story line. I don't see a lot of authenticity in the equippage and, as so often happens, the main characters go into battle without helms or even stocking caps.

All that said, it is mildly entertaining and I will watch the rest of it.

[Matthew Stagmer]

Yea it is a fun show. Like it was said before, the backdrop is beautiful.

[JE Sarge]

Since Ridley Scott is one of the executive producers, it's not suprising to see some of the KoH stuff re-used. Some of the clothing and armor looks ok - most looks bad. I've not seen a sword yet that looked like anything other than a poorly made alumnium prop job. The weapons and armor are ghastly. Greco-Roman mixed in with maille hauberks mist in with Conan the Barbarian looking leathers. Ick...

As for the story line, my wife (who read the book last year) says that the mini-series is pretty close to how the book goes - so as far as it being dragged out, blame that on the author, not the director. I enjoy the movie because it's not your stereotypical storyline of some knight rescuing a damsel in distress, pulling a sword from a stone, or slaying a dragon. The political intrigue, conflicts, and plot are pretty authentic in my opinion - inspired by history so to speak. It's interesting to see conflicts over stone and wool instead of a horde of gold. Or, the plot point to where the young boy has to buy his own armor, horses, and weapons to become a knight. Or how the church shifts and changes alliances with the power structure to stay on the good side. All little hints of truth about how some history actually was.

For what they are working with versus the story they are telling, I think they have done a pretty good job - my wife and I find it enjoyable, even if the costume/prop design is off a bit (which it ALWAYS is). It's better than the Tudors at any rate...