Blu-Ray Review: Absorbing Acting Strengthens ‘The Pillars of the Earth’

Printer-friendly versionPrinter-friendly versionE-mail page to friendE-mail page to friendPDF versionPDF version
Average: 5 (1 vote)

CHICAGO – Ken Follett’s “The Pillars of the Earth” is in the great tradition of old-fashioned adventure serials. The line between good and evil is clearly drawn and there is little doubt which side of the line each character belongs. This story is a battle between heart and hierarchy, nobility and debauchery, light and darkness. It’s fraught with clichés, melodramatic in the extreme, and entertaining as hell.

Follett’s best-selling 1989 novel must’ve been daunting material for this German/Canadian co-production to tackle. Taking the form of an eight-part miniseries, the film runs over seven hours without commercials, yet still manages to feel somewhat rushed, particularly in its initial episodes, as dozens of characters and story threads are breathlessly set up. Yet once the series settles on its primary subject: the construction of a cathedral in Kingsbridge, England, during the 12th century, “Pillars” becomes an engrossing portrait of how monstrous ego and ambition can easily cloak corruption in spiritual self-righteousness.

HollywoodChicago.com Blu-Ray Rating: 4.0/5.0
Blu-Ray Rating: 4.0/5.0

Director Sergio Mimica-Gezzan and co-writer John Pielmeier do a fine job of illuminating the story’s symbolism without laying it on too thickly. Fire emerges as a major character in the film, reflecting the various mortals’ shared fear of eternal damnation, while functioning as a necessary catalyst for change, tearing down outdated relics to pave the way for a more enlightened age. Perhaps the film’s most complicated character is Prior Philip, played by Matthew Macfadyen, whose perpetually upturned eyebrows cause him to occasionally resemble a Muppet. As a well-meaning monk intent on rebuilding the fallen cathedral, Philip is constantly approached by characters—both good and bad—who are eager to have him on their (a.k.a. “god’s”) side. The most sinister of them all is Bishop Wayleran Bigod (Ian McShane), a power-hungry cleric who can dominate a room without ever raising his voice. On the opposite side of the moral spectrum is Tom Builder (Rufus Sewell), a master builder (go figure) whose starving family was saved by a good-hearted ex-nun, Ellen (Natalia Wörner), and her son, Jack (Eddie Redmayne). It becomes obvious early on that Jack is this story’s nearest equivalent to “The Chosen One.” His instant attraction the beautiful Aliena (Hayley Atwell) seems obligatory, given their identically toned cheekbones.

Hayley Atwell and Sam Claflin play siblings in Sergio Mimica-Gezzan’s The Pillars of the Earth.
Hayley Atwell and Sam Claflin play siblings in Sergio Mimica-Gezzan’s The Pillars of the Earth.
Photo credit: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

There are certain plot developments that verge on the cornball, but Mimica-Gezzan maintains the film’s dramatic credibility almost to a fault. With so much plot to cover, there isn’t a great deal of time for the film to explore a diverse range of emotions (a feat achieved by Tom Hooper’s masterful “John Adams”). Carefree laughter is nearly always a sure sign that danger is not far away. Of course, “Pillars” is a ultimately a serial, not a vivid, unromanticized recreation of ancient history. There are echoes of classical Hollywood blockbusters in the film’s epic scope and massive set-pieces. At least two of the most spectacular sequences center on crumbling ceilings that threaten to crush the trapped humans beneath. The film’s moments of triumph are genuinely rousing, primarily because the exquisite ensemble sells every moment for all its worth.

McShane is taking a large departure from his foul-mouthed star-making role on “Deadwood,” and his subtle, icily cruel turn here proves to be just as captivating. Sewell is magnificent as a father torn between his screw-up son and the remarkable boy he’s taken under his wing. Sarah Parish is hypnotically creepy as the intensely manipulative mother of the sadistic Lord William (ferociously played by David Oakes). Tony Curran brilliantly captures the psychological torment of King Stephen, who feigns smug confidence while battling inner dread. As the fiery Empress Maud, Alison Pill proves once again that she’s capable of playing literally anyone, and her magnetic presence steals every scene that it graces. And I must give a shout-out to the tireless young actress Skye Bennett, who’s required to weep in practically every other scene, and never hits a false note.

The Pillars of the Earth was released on Blu-Ray and DVD on Nov. 23, 2010.
The Pillars of the Earth was released on Blu-Ray and DVD on Nov. 23, 2010.
Photo credit: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

“The Pillars of the Earth” is presented in 1080p High Definition (with a 1.78:1 aspect ratio), accompanied by English and French audio tracks. The flawless picture quality is largely due to cinematographer Attila Szalay’s utilization of HD cameras. In the disappointingly short, 27-minute making-of featurette, Szalay says that he strove to maintain a filmic look, while making every scene appear to be lit by either candles or sunlight. Follett appears long enough for viewers to recognize him in his cameo from episode seven. Yet viewers are not advised to watch any of the extras beforehand, since they all include footage that reveal major plot twists. It’s a shame that this three-disc set couldn’t have included at least a couple commentaries from Mimica-Gezzan, whose singular artistic vision propelled the entire series. Though the featurette barely scratches the surface, it at least allows Follett to argue why his novel needed to be adapted into an eight-part miniseries, rather than a two-hour abridged version. Production designer Miljen Kreka Kljakovic discusses the formidable challenge of condensing tremendous research on the historical period into a relatively brief amount of time. Curran touches on the complex aging process of various characters, which included digital effects that attempted to make actors appear younger, but instead made them look like ghostly apparitions.

Yet the majority of the film’s CGI is flat-out breathtaking, especially when witnessed in nine minutes of visual effects progressions. The cathedral’s exteriors were largely created in a computer, and then seamlessly blended into the live action footage. Rounding out the measly extras is a brief interview with Ron Diamond, executive director of ACME Filmworks, who dissects the creation of the film’s memorable main title sequence, directed by Michal Socha (creator of the Scott Free Productions logo).

‘The Pillars of the Earth’ is released by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and stars Ian McShane, Matthew Macfadyen, Eddie Redmayne, Hayley Atwell, Sarah Parish, Natalia Wörner, David Oakes, Anatole Taubman, Sam Claflin, Tony Curran, Liam Garrigan, Alison Pill, Donald Sutherland, Gordon Pinsent and Rufus Sewell. It was written by Ken Follett and John Pielmeier and directed by Sergio Mimica-Gezzan. It was released on Nov. 23rd, 2010. It is not rated.

HollywoodChicago.com staff writer Matt Fagerholm

By MATT FAGERHOLM
Staff Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
matt@hollywoodchicago.com

User Login

Free Giveaway Mailing

TV, DVD, BLU-RAY & THEATER REVIEWS

  • Manhunt

    CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on March 21st, 2024, reviewing the new streaming series “Manhunt” – based on the bestseller by James L. Swanson – currently streaming on Apple TV+.

  • Topdog/Underdog, Invictus Theatre

    CHICAGO – When two brothers confront the sins of each other and it expands into a psychology of an entire race, it’s at a stage play found in Chicago’s Invictus Theatre Company production of “Topdog/Underdog,” now at their new home at the Windy City Playhouse through March 31st, 2024. Click TD/UD for tickets/info.

Advertisement



HollywoodChicago.com on Twitter

archive

HollywoodChicago.com Top Ten Discussions
referendum
tracker