Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell

[My apologies for a long review, but I suspect fans of the book may want to know certain things, and people who have not yet been introduced into the worlds of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell others.]If you haven't read the book, which this, then go read it after watching the mini-series. If you're a fan of the book, this is an outstanding adaptation. If you watched the version that aired on BBC America, know that the episodes in the Blu-ray edition have a few minutes added that were missing, making it worth a purchase if only to add a few nuances.Set in an alternate reality England in the early 19th century, where magic was an acknowledged part of history, lamented and all but forgotten. Suddenly the magic is back with two very different men and the legend of the Raven King at the heart of it, in the ultimate "be careful what you wish for" plot. A study in dichotomies, the story that unfolds seems to pit head and heart, faerie and England, master and servant, prophecy and reality, and much more.If you're a fan of the book, keep in mind a film adaptation is neither logistically nor financially possible. Extended character perspectives and thoughts might be toothsome on a page but tedious on the screen. Some segments of the book are shortened, and minor characters have been incorporated into others, or edited out. The essential plot hasn't changed, and the changes made do not fundamentally alter the story. In some cases expanding on what can be read between the lines but didn't work on the written page, in others streamlining for flow and occasionally surpassing it. That’s not a fault of the source material, but a testament to it.If you can allow for those differences as a fan of the book, you will be pleasantly surprised, and have a new way of enjoying the story, with much to divert you until the second book is out. If you have not read the book, there is a lot packed in, so you still have surprises waiting for you in the book.The entire cast is strong, and the main cast is superb, with one exception (and that may be a directorial decision and not a reflection of the actor). They may not always first appear as they might have originally in a reader's eye, but each make the character their own. Expect accolades next award season for the cast (and the production -- but particularly Eddie Marsan). The performances alone will give you something to talk about for a long, long time.Three major characters stray significantly from the source material, for different reasons. Stephen Black's story, fleshed out in the book, is truncated. Although his significance isn’t diminished, and logistics and costs are a factor, there are a few scenes less than expected. While Ariyon Bakare is more than up to the task of portraying the exquisite dignity and agony of a black man in Regency England, the subtleties may be lost on some. Simon Guest’s Sir Walter Pole is more sympathetic than the one on the pages. Childermass on the other hand, has his story expanded, and with the unexpected casting of a younger, attractive actor.A lot of Childermass was left to the imagination in the book, so the casting choice of Enzo Cilenti may be surprising. In some ways it's a very different Childermass than the one that starts in the book, but I suspect it aligns with the one in the author's mind. From what I’ve read about the production, it has Susanna Clarke’s approval. Cilenti will make converts to his Childermass, as he chews the scenery with some gravelly utterances, several eye rolls, strategic slouching, and chemistry with every other cast member he shares scenes with. The enigmatic Childermass in the mini-series is more provocative, as it’s even less clear who is steering whom.As someone who hadn’t read the book first – in large part due to the fan-fare around it – I was delightfully surprised with the mini-series as a story. Reading the book within days of watching the mini-series, I can say they are both outstanding, and unlike the typical Norrellite/Strangeite dichotomy, it’s possible to love both the book and the mini-series.It’s well-paced based on a tight script, and while the more fantastic sequences may be limited, it does a lot with what’s used. It’s worth repeated viewings with plenty to discover on each subsequent viewing, especially to appreciate just how well woven this adaptation is. Every point seems to have a well-placed counterpoint that emphasizes most every plot twist and turn. The occasional bow to more mundane sensibilities, such as sand on a camera, and a few choreographed moves better suited for a theater stage than a sound stage, are easy to forgive. And on some occasions where they had to sacrifice parts of the story, they were able to tantalizingly make up for it (such as an aerial shot that will simultaneously make some military history buffs giddy and wanting more).It’s clear just how much thought went into every aspect of the production on top of the outstanding source material. It does have a 26 minute "making of" bonus feature that's got a little something for everyone, too.

I've watched this several times and it's just wonderful acting, costumes, sets and such a story. Love, love, love and it is fairly faithful to the amazing novel of the same name by Susanna Clark, which I also recommend.

I enjoyed this very much. If you love shows about magic check this out!

We just started watching and the story is real interesting about magic in late 18th/19th century England. Although fantasy it has us captivated wondering where the story line leads to.

While acting and production values are excellant, story takes a long time to get to the point. First two episodes? are slow to the point of distraction. Story is really creepy at times.I can see why it was only one season, not sure if they wanted a longer series.

The surprise delight of the summer for me! I read the book some time ago across a length of time (it is a pretty long book but stick with it and you will not regret it!) so many details were no longer fresh in my memory. I think that helped in the sense that I was not a stickler for details in the book making it into the miniseries and allowed the miniseries to be enjoyed by its own merits. More importantly for me was that the series captured the spirit of the book and brought to life the main protagonists. So glad it ended up a miniseries instead of a shorter movie to give it a better opportunity to develop the characters and as it is the pace does proceed pretty quickly (especially compared to the book -- I saw this as a plus that benefited the televised version). While I would have loved for it to have been even longer (it doesn't really stop long at any point) there was enough to get me engrossed in the plot and characters. A big congratulations to the whole cast. Everyone brought their A-game to the table however long or short the scenes were and all made their roles distinctive and memorable -- I thoroughly enjoyed the performances. The 2 leads Eddie Marsan and Bertie Carvel ARE Mr. Norrell and Mr.Strange in my mind forever more. Special mention for the actor Enzo Cilenti who plays Childermass, manservant/assistant to Mr. Norrell -- he was fantastic! Oh and one other thing -- awesome special effects! While big magic is sparingly done they did a great job in picking the key moments to showcase it. And not to disparage any of the smaller feats of magical display and slight of hand -- I freely admit doing a double take with the camouflage bush scene with Childermass.

I have read the book once a year since I bought it. So happy that a movie was made from the book. It is an amazing story.

What makes both the book and the television series a delight is the subtext that the real magic is creativity. It’s a clear parallel. Whether you approach the process in a careful Norrellite fashion or with the impromptu intuition of Strangean ways, the truth is the Raven King flies in like a force of nature and smashes everything apart and that’s what inspiration does. The reason we need to see how Arabella and Lady Pole and Stephen and Childermass approach the same magic is because this is not a masculine art as we so often have seen it portrayed, nor is it the province of one race or one class, but it’s an essential human one. We are all undone by the Raven King, who is not a man after all but the power of inspiration that breaks us apart. Try as we might to control his force with systems and rules, the ravens cannot be contained. They are myriad and indeed impossible to kill. What makes us human—the creative process—is how we put the shattered parts together again and go on.[see the full review at the Cultural Gutter]

Really good show but very short and wish they had made another season.

It is easiest to convey quality by association in a list. Therefore, some of the best shows on television ( or in media, as the lines blur away) are Game Of Thrones, The Walking Dead, The Blacklist, Homeland, Ripper Street, and Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell. This tale begins in a pleasant enough manner, perhaps a light-hearted well-spoken english fairy-tale, then proceeds to become more and more dramatically engaging with each episode. As of late it is so rewarding to see writers return to the core of good storytelling - consequence - to which Strange and Norrell are no exception. As with Ripper Street, the series benefits immensely from both the period setting and the attendant degree of literacy in dialogue. Refreshing.Absolutely worth the time.

A very entertaining, atmospheric, and interesting 7 episode series based on an 'alternate history' concept which postulates that magic had once been commonly practiced in England, fallen out of favour, and is restored by a pair of magicians with an intertwined destiny. The larger story stays close to actual historical events so that the fantasy does not venture beyond what might have been plausible if magic actually worked. Top-notch acting and period production values. Very good coherence to actual military history - but suggesting that Wellington had some extraordinary help. Lot's of fun, and recommended. Some frightening scenes not suitable to the very squeamish or younger children.

this is by far one of my favourite books and now one of my favourite TV miniseries to watch....a must for any admirer of English Magic!

A really amazing adaptation of an amazing book. Although as always there is a lot lost in the translation from book to screen, I was still really happy with how this one turned out and glad it was made into a mini series instead of a movie. Very much worth your time whether you have read the book or not (although I highly recommend that you do read it!).