TV Review- Ridley Scott’s ‘The Terror’

I was excited to learn that this was coming to BBC iPlayer in March 2021. There is such a great cast with Jared Harris (Captain Francis Crozier), Tobias Menzies (Commander James Fitzjames) and Ciaran Hinds (Captain Sir John Franklin). It’s also quite an accolade to have Ridley Scott on board as Executive Producer.

The production design transports viewers to the icy Arctic aboard The Terror and Erebus. This for me, couldn’t be faulted along with the costume design. It was a delight to see all the detail that had gone into creating this world in which a monster lurks.

One of the problems of this series has to be the sound. It’s a common occurrence on television series to find that you have to turn the volume up full blast to be able to decipher what the actor’s are saying, only to be frightened by the sudden loud music score o

r action sequences. The sound was a real problem in the first episode, making the viewing a bit of a frustrating experience. It seemed to improve over the next few episodes but there were times when this happened again and I was left wondering what was being said. Is it actors not speaking properly? The sound recordist not capturing the conversation? Or is it a problem in post? Who knows but it needs to be fixed to make the whole experience enjoyable.

The pace of the series is a tad slow at times. I wonder if ten episodes is too long to keep up the suspense? I felt that the terror of the situation was losing tension and reverting to the old horror film technique of using gore instead. For me, this is a disappointment, as I can only take so much before I have to look away. Granted, it’s not like a Hollywood slasher film but seemed to rely a bit too much on disturbing the viewer rather than telling a good story.

Overall, this series is worth the watch for the performances of the actors alone. It’s an enjoyable trip into another world full of mystery and terror. Watch the trailer below for a taster.

Film Review- Mary Queen of Scots (2018)

The trailer of Mary Queen of Scots led me to believe that I was going to watch a portrayal of the Brits in a not so glorious light and an ever defiant Scotland. The film was directed by Josie Rourke who has come from a stage directing background and written by Beau Willimon (House of Cards, Ides of March).

The film was shot beautifully with sweeping shots of the Scottish landscape. The costume design was spectacular with the changing fashions, hair and make-up of Queen Elizabeth I depicted over the years in a creative time lapse.

One of the film’s highlights was the secret exchange between Queen Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots in a wash house. Of course, this was creative license by Beau Willimon but it worked well and gave the actors, Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie a chance to shine.

There were a lot of references to fertility with the depiction of cleaning the period blood of May Queen of Scots and the comments of her ladies in waiting of how her period had arrived early that month. I don’t know why this was necessary for the plot. It was also a bit weird to see the juxtaposition of Mary Queen of Scots giving birth then blood flowing between her legs onto stained sheets with that of Queen Elizabeth I with decorative paper flowers in red and white (the Tudor Rose) in between her legs. Was this to show that she was trying to bear children but could not? Was it to show that she instead bore creative Tudor rose paper crafts?

Perhaps I am being a bit harsh. It must be hard for an American male writer to convey a British history of two very powerful women in a visual way. Wouldn’t it be nice for a British woman writer to be commissioned to write the screenplay for such iconic women of history. Maybe then, we would see more convincing depictions of women in authority roles; their struggles, fears, passions and feats. Maybe, having a woman writer wouldn’t make much difference…but it would be nice to find out.