Elizabeth
George Reports:An Update from Elizabeth on the BBC Production of A GREAT DELIVERANCE!
Elizabeth
George Reports:
An Update from
Elizabeth on the BBC Production of A GREAT DELIVERANCE!
I've recently seen the final cut of "A Great Deliverance", and I have to let all of you know how much I liked it. There are substantial changes in the plot, which some of you might find disconcerting, but these are changes that I approved once the producer explained to me why they were necessary. Obviously, I'd have adored seeing my work translated to screen in a fashion identical to the book, but the truth is that films and novels are two different art forms, and we have to be prepared for that.
Having said that, I'd like to comment specifically about the performances. The UK is blessed, of course, with a plethora of gifted actors. (Whoever watched "All Creatures Great and Small" without absolutely believing that all those guys were Yorkshire farmers?) The cast of "A Great Deliverance" is no exception to what we've seen before in films from England. Sharon Small is fabulous as Havers. She looks nothing like her--you've got to prepare yourself for that--but she is right on the money in her interpretation of the character. She's got tons of attitude, all sorts of edge, and the most hideous wardrobe an actress has ever been asked to don. Nathaniel Parker strikes all the right notes as Lynley. He too looks nothing like him, but I've got to tell you that ten minutes into the performance, my mom (who has always said only Anthony Andrews could play Lynley) turned to me and said, "You know, I like him." He's doing a fine job. Emma Fielding is perfect as Helen...acts like her and looks like her, so much so, in fact that when I saw her on the set, I went over to her and said, "You must be Helen Clyde," as indeed she was. Deborah and St. James don't have as much screen time as they have page time in the novel, but I think they're going to work out well.
I'm very pleased and I hope you'll be pleased as well.
Previous Report: On Location With Elizabeth:
Elizabeth has just returned from England where she watched the last few
days of the filming of A Great Deliverance, which is currently scheduled to be on BBC television on the night of Sunday, February 4th. In her three days on the set, she was able to meet and talk with the director, Richard
Laxton, and to sit right with him studying the video monitor as scenes were being filmed a few feet away. She had a great conversation with Nathaniel Parker
(Lynley) and was pleased to be able to see him in performance in two of the film's climactic scenes: Sergeant
Havers' revelation about her family and the killer's confession. She was able to give him some inside scoop about the character and while he doesn't look at all like
Lynley, she was pretty thrilled to see him become Lynley for the camera.
Sharon Small, who plays Barbara Havers, was also available on the set while Elizabeth was there. She's going to be a surprise to the audience, but Elizabeth is confident that she'll win people over. Emma Fielding who plays Helen Clyde, is Helen Clyde incarnate. They couldn't have cast anyone on perfect for the role.
What remains to be done on the film is this: The director will complete his cut, which will be shown to the producer, the head of drama at the BBC, Rebecca Eaton of WGBH Boston, and Elizabeth. From everyone's notes and comments will come the final cut. This will be supplied with a musical score and with credits and then the film is ready to go.
We should see it here in the US sometime in 2001, but it isn't on the docket yet, so it might be later than that.
But what a thrill to have Lynley and the others brought to life on the screen.