Nick
Wednesday 29th April 2009 3:08pm [Edited]
820 posts
Quote: chipolata @ April 28 2009, 3:31 PM BST
Maybe this one works because Clunes is so different to Rossiter. Perhaps if they'd tried to find a Rossiter-like actor, it would have just looked like an embarrassing immitation. I'd be very interested if anybody has read the novels, how Reggie comes across in them, compared to the two small screen portraits of him.
In general, I think the books are a lot grimmer than either of the series. The incestuous relationship between Jimmy and Linda is an obvious example and also his suicide attempt. Reggie and Joan going to a seedy hotel together in the books seems much more real than their meeting in the 1970s series. Plus there are allegations of flashing and sex offences.
Physically I think Reggie is more like Clunes than Rossiter.
Quote: swerytd @ April 29 2009, 11:20 AM BST
I've read them, but relatively recently and *after* seeing the original series. It also begs the question: how 'good' is a book if you immediately forget all about it?
I actually think it's difficult to judge the books in that way. If people read them now they will obviously not be as memorable as when they were first written simply because we already know the characters and so much that is going to take place.
Similarly plenty of people who read the books first were never that keen on the original series.