The Mystery Of Edwin Drood: I'm the director

Much too dark and slow. Pity, I thought it might be good given the build up. I fell asleep half way through, so perhaps it picked up?

A big risk! Since we dont know what happens to Edwin I'm not sure Ill like it if you put words into Dickens' mouth, Edwin Drood is a mystery, all the more so because we don't know how it ends...careful of over egging the pudding.

I loved it - can't wait for tomorrow. Fresh, modern, great casting, gripping pace and narrative. I can't understand the previous comment. Many thanks.

Absolutely BRILLIANT!! Totally gripped from the start & very true to the book. I personally thought everyone was SUPERBLY cast!! I can't wait for tomorrow!! Thanks! Xx

I have not read the book, but I loved this evening's drama. The casting was excellent, and the pace and mood were, I thought, consistent and appropriate. One question obsesses me - what is the music that occurs towards the beginning, accompanying John Jasper's opium-induced dream, and again later on? It sounds familiar, but I'm not sure. Please tell. Well done to all involved.

So far so good.Really enjoying this drama brilliant cast,looking forward to tonights episode.Well done!

Brilliant - really looking forward to tomorrow. It could not be bettered so far as it is so dark and emotional.

Stunning cinematography by Alan Almond, perhaps some of the best I've seen on TV recently. Hats off to him and the grader.

Looking forward to next episode.

Had me on the edge of my seat! and NO chance of falling asleep.

I can echo previous comments about the superb atmosphere created and the excellent cast. Matthew Rhys is just my idea of Jasper and Tamzin Merchant is a beautiful rosebud. Having S Asian actors for the Landlesses was a masterstroke - Dickens describes them as dark but I don't think I twigged their ethnicity when I read the book.



But... going back to the book, the mystery is the disappearance of Edwin, and your adaptation has taken away the mystery by showing his murder half-way through. We'll never know Dickens' intention, and there are signposts to Jasper as a murderer, but why not defer this revelation to episode 2.



Was it a ratings chasing decision? I think I knew when I started watching what the end of the first episode would be.

The "You" in the previous post is me - Sundial!

I really enjoyed this drama - it's good to see that a variety of Dickens work is explored including this very dark story. I can't wait to watch the second part tonight. One thing I hoped to see on the BBC shop was an indication as to when it will be available on DVD just as we will soon be able to buy Great Expectations only to find no such possibility - will we get to purchase a copy of this drama soon?

I absolutely loved this. The natural light (or what appeared to be natural light) interior scenes worked brilliantly. I can't think of anything bad about it. Back to the music - thank you for replying, but I feel it is the choral music that I am recognising - could it be Wagner? Just a nod and a knowing smile would be enough! Thank you for a wonderful drama.

Brilliant final episode and a clever twist to the ending...



Can I please ask you who composed the two coral works also featured in the film, they were very beautiful!!

Really gripped by the exciting twists in the plot and charmed by the wonderful

characterisations of the vicar Mr Crisparkle and his ma, the pompous mayor Mr Sapsea and Mr Bazzard! Dark but very funny as well, loved it.

I really loved this production, thank you all! After the much-hyped but disappointing Great Expectations I didn't set my hopes too high, but I was very pleasantly surprised indeed (Was it because of G.E.'s mixed reception that I didn't see too many ads for Edwin Drood btw?) The production values were great, and the plot was all I could have wished, but it was the casting that was so outstanding for me.. brilliant performances, believable characterisations. Plaudits especially for Alfie Davies as Deputy - I hope I see him often in future. Well done all!

Totally gripping, settings so imaginative and atmospheric, wonderfully photographed, casting beyond dreams! Matthew Rhys was spellbinding. He is Welsh so of course can sing, but he did make a most convincing choirmaster in the rehearsal scene. Was he a choirboy at some point? Well yes, I realise actors do know about acting, but even so . . .

I will now read the original. Downloaded it to my Kindle two days ago but haven't read it yet in case it spoiled the adaptation!! It's usually the other way round!

PS Just a thought - did I recognise Phil Davis beneath six inches of grime? Or was it a deputy?

Excellent adaptation- and far superior to the recent "Great Expectations"! Why? Because this was dark, mysterious and thrilling, but also treated its audience as intelligent, questioning viewers. There were a couple of wonderful performances in "Expectations"- particularly Gillian Anderson and Ray Winstone- but here the fantastic performances- kudos to Alun Armstrong and Matthew Rhys, but I was especially taken with Durdles and Bazzard, who managed the neat Dickensian trick of being earnest, eccentric, grotesque and oddly charming, all at once. Fabulous direction and writing. It's not as great a novel as "Expectations" ( for my money the greatest of all Dickens' works) but this was a superior adaptation. And that was entirely down to the talents of the creative team. Praise to you all...and can someone commission you to attempt "Hard Times"? Curiously appropriate for our current world...and you could bring out the tension and gloom beautifully!

So is someone from the BBC going to let us in to the secret of what the choral music is?



Realy frustrating TV the & movies will tell you in the credits who was the caterer etc, but often trying to find out about the music is a real pain!



Trevor

Matthew Rhys reminded me of Richard Burton...just the look and the voice at times. His performance as a mad, bad man in love was disturbing...but there was something missing in the script.....it just seemed too rushed. I was surprised that this was only over 2 episodes. Usually Dickens has the plot twisting and turning all over the place..this was just too fast. Apart from that really well made.

Casting Sri Lankans was great for modern times , but not realistic for Dickens...and they certainly would not have been welcome in the society as they were portrayed in the prog, even to that decree. I also have read of Dickens not so savoury views on Muslims which was typical of Victorians at the time.

just wanted to add...I loved Alun Armstong in this as well. More could have been explored of the other characters- especially the Landesses.

But as I said the fiming costumes and and locations were great....

I really enjoyed watching this..and loved the shift of sympathy in it..which is a very 21st century kind of storytelling..can't help feeling there something amiss in part two though the story began to stutter. I was left with the feeling there were missing scenes and that it should have taken longer to tell the story. It was difficult to work out the time frame...how long was Eddie missing for? When did Rosa get the ring back? Why didn't Neville go to court? How did Rosa go from terrified of Jasper to confronting him so quickly? Perhaps the contemporary storytelling took over and quickened the pace to much.... having said all that I loved the performances and the look of it...the strength of the mixed race characters...and I'm sure will find more to appreciate when I watch it again!

I managed to read the novel for the first time before the broadcast. Brilliant finish I thought! Dickens won't be rolling in his grave over that one, I don't think! Will you be dramatising 'A Tale of Two Cities' later this year?

I understand the comments about the ending, but being creative often means being brave. Thank you BBC (and Diarmuid!) for being brave and for a very high quality show. Matthew Rhys was outstanding.

Can anyone tell me what the choral music sung by the choir in church was in the first episode? I love this adaptation - very dark.

Congratulations to all involved - photography, script, cast, direction, music - simply an outstanding production. A very dark and ghostly novel - almost as though Dickens knew his health was failing him.

Many thanks



Trevor

Could diarmuid please let us know the title of the opening music - the solo rather than the choral music that comes in later? Many thanks. Jim

Many thanks Diarmuid.

Congratulations on the absolutely brilliant casting, costumes, makeup and special effects creating a fantastic atmosphere. Wonderfully acted and thoroughly gripping, look forward to watching it again. What a great shame the bbc insist on shrinking the credits so that all concerned do not get the mention they deserve.

Fantastic drama - I loved the ending that was chosen picking up where Dickens left it. The cast were great, I loved the mood of the drama and the BBC were great to take such a risk and create this dark drama. Would love to get hold of a copy and I hope it will be available on DVD soon. Keep up the good work and can't wait to see what other great dramas, period and modern, that we get to watch this year. Since we have had Great Expectations and Edwin Drood do you know if there are any other classic Dickens adaptations in the works?

When will Sundial apologise for prejudging the outcome?

Really enjoyed this adaptation and liked the ending. I know Rochester quite well so it was interesting trying to spot the locations. We even performed a play based on a story by a contemporary of Dickens in Eastgate House last year. Great drama for a winter evening, thanks.

Just brilliant, loved the way you finished it in true Dickens style, winding-together lots of supposedly loose ends. Wonderful casting, delightful performances from all, and the 'minor' characters had me grinning with delight (especially Deputy and Bazzard). Alun Armstrong was superb once again in a particularly human portrayal of a particularly good man. Bravo to all, and many thanks for some great viewing.

Diarmuid - many thanks for the information. I would like to add my congratulations to you for one of the best-ever Dickens adaptations. The elegant plot twists were a perfect rounding-off to a very skilful presentation. Jim

Addiction, Prejudice, Love, Hate, Compassion, Tolerance, Forgiveness and a Mystery what more could you want? Gwyneth Hughes has given this unfinished story the best ending that anyone could have come up with and the adaptation was superb. The Cast was the finest that I have come across within a Dickens dramatization and Alfie Davis, as Deputy, is one actor to look out for in the future, everyone should be most proud of what they have put the names and talent to. Fine Direction and Locations set this BBC production above the rest.

Particularly after the masacre of the recent "Great ? Expectations"!

I enjoyed this dramatization immensely. I thought that the cast was particularly strong. But most of all I was really impressed by the main protagonist played by Mathew Rhys who I have not previously seen. It is unusual to see such an outstanding performance on television these days. His portrayal of the character was memorable.

I too enjoyed it very much, though I don't quite buy the interpretation of Drood senior; it doesn't seem to fit with the character of the sentimental young widower who made a pact with another widower that their respective (only) children should marry.

Also, why ignore the finding of Edwin's watch and shirt-pin by Mr. Crisparkle? Jasper knew that they were the only items of jewellery that Edwin wore, but didn't know that he had the ring in his pocket at the time of his disappearance. Surely this must be a pointer to the intended resolution?

Excellent Dickens character portrayal throughout and a very clever interpretation of how Dickens mind would have constructed the complicated ending.

All actors to be congratulated in their roles and 'Deputy' will hopefully be seen again in the future. Rory Kinnear was a joy to watch (with a reminder of the gentle soul of his father who sadly had his career tragically prematurely cut short from our future enjoyment whilst filming on location)

I really enjoyed this - who knows what Dickens intended to happen, but the twists and characterisation felt very Dickensian to me. I really enjoyed seeing something a bit different, especially as some of his work is the subject of so many films and TV adaptations

RE: "Sorry Jim, but the opening music has no title, ..." But is it available to buy/download.



Example of how to supply info on a shows music check out CH4's This Is England (anyof them) websites/pages. Always have a list of music titles and performers for each episode so @ least we can source them should we want to.



Trevor

I was enthrawled with the Mystery of Edwin Drood. Only BB2 can do this so well. Had me captivated. Amazing actors. Just a brilliant story. Thank you BBC.

I caught up, on iPlayer, with The Mystery of Edwin Drood and would like to add my praise for this beguiling production - vastly superior to Great Expectations.



Excellent performances all round, though I was particularly taken with David Dawson's Bazzard and Alfie Davis's Deputy.



Well done!

I loved this production. I thought it was pretty perfect in every way and far superior to Great Expectations. The acting was brilliant throughout (Alfie Davis!) particularly Matthew Rhys who was so charming, scary and pitiful - fully rounded and complex. The whole piece was taut and felt supple and very real, if this makes sense. I also loved the comic moments too and the delicate beauty of the Septimus/Helena love story. What I liked almost as much as the story and characters was the sense of place (I don't like all the filming that is taking place in Budapest or wherever - it ruins UK-based stories for me).



What I don't understand is why it's not coming out on DVD - well, it's not being advertised yet - I'm so disappointed.



Thank you Diarmuid Lawrence and Gwyneth Hughes for such a fantastic adaptation

i enjoyed it greatly. had to watch it twice though to understand each plot/casting.

excellent and a masterpiece! to me was time well spent....

kudos to all involved!!

I watched again. Really taken by it.



Now that Sherlock has ended its run, a Victorian detective programme is just what's needed, so perhaps the BBC should consider Bazzard PI, with the Deputy as his sidekick?

Just watched it all again,



I really enjoyed this! Are there any plans for the DVD release as I notice Great Expectations is planned but not this! Probably the best drama I have seen on the BBC for a while!

Thanks Diarmuid, for your helpful replies, but I'm so disappointed that this wonderful adaptation won't be coming out on DVD.



Have watched it 4 times now, and cannot praise it highly enough. Fantastic atmosphere, great casting and acting throughout, but most of all, a wonderful screenplay by Gwyneth Hughes and central performance by Matthew Rhys.



Just want to echo the earlier comments of mollag- Gwyneth and Matthew together made the character of Jasper come alive as a fully rounded human being, rather than a cartoon villain. Weak, lustful and murderous as he was, you could not but be on his side as he struggled with his inner demons, and mourn the better man he could have been.



Must go, just time to watch it one last time on catch-up TV, before it disappears forever.....

Bit late to the game but the fact that I am still thinking about your wonderful production brought me to find this a week later. So, so adored it. The casting was perfection. Matthew Rhys incredible, Rory Kinnear, David Dawson, Ron Cook ... and that little firecracker of a performance from Alfie Davis.



Both the exteriors at Rochester and the interiors in St Barts set the perfect tone and I'd like to add my praise for the choral music (wish there'd been more of it) and Matthew Rhys' impressive efforts to look pretty convincing when directing (not often the case for actors playing directors/conductors). And loved the looks/smiles on the choristers' faces when he was berating them for roaring like lions (or words to that effect) - it really helped established the ambiguity of his character, as Jasper is clearly a respected and talented musician despite ... the rest.



Now utterly gutted to hear this may not come out on DVD! I was looking forward to sauntering into HMV and picking it up in the next day or so. ARGH! Please get the powers that be to issue it.



Just one more thing ... I have to confess rather sheepishly that for all his opium-induced nephewcidal (is that a word?)/patricidal tendencies, the dark mysterious John Jasper (thanks to Matthew Rhys) has a new fan in me. Oh yes.



Congratulations on a superb production.

It is a shame if it is not released on DVD. I agree with everyone Matthew Rhys was brilliant and the writing was great! (not to mention the director of course...). I actually prefer the less commercial or well known titles as they are something new to watch or read, as the famous titles like Great Expectations when dramatised can feel a bit repetitive when you seen about 3 versions of it... you feel you know the story all to well.

Please add my voice (and those of my thousands of minions, if it'll help) to those pleading for a DVD release.



This was one of the best Dickens adaptations I've ever seen, brilliantly atmospheric and gripping, with a flawless cast. Matthew Rhys was the standout for me (agree with the person upthread who compared him to Richard Burton) but also the lovely Crisparkles, the Landlesses and David Dawson as Bazzard were exceptional, I felt.



Add in some beautiful music and a mystery, and who could ask for more?



The BBC could count on a few quid from my purse the day they released this.

I would like to add my voice to those clamouring for this to be available on DVD. I thought this adaptation was actually much better than Great Expectations. I haven't read the book (yet), but I liked the surprise ending. And some of the actors in the smaller parts were brilliant (I'm thinking particularly of Deputy and Mr Bazzard/Dick Datchery). Well done!

Thanks, Diarmuid, for that fantastic news. Not a DVD, no, but rather wonderful nonetheless. I've downloaded already and am now thoroughly ashamed that I'd mistaken Bengal tigers for lions. How could I? Apologies!



Thank you again for a wonderful script, casting, acting, production and the fabulous directing.

Thank you for replying Diarmuid. I really hope the BBC are paying attention to the great critical reviews, and the public responses to Edwin Drood on various forums and blogs.



As for the DVD release, I emailed - dvdenquiryline@2entertain.co.uk - to enquire and got this response -



"Thank you for your recent communication regarding the availability of

the above programme on DVD.



We do own the DVD rights for this title, but as yet have no scheduled

release date. I suggest checking the BBC Shop in 3-6 months time.



We appreciate all of the feedback that we receive from the viewing

public, so thank you again for your correspondence.



Please note there is a limited range of titles previously transmitted on

www.bbc.co.uk/archive"



Perhaps if more of us enquired they might reconsider and release the DVD...soon!

On the whole I enjoyed The Mystery of Edwin Drood, but did feel, at times, it was slightly rushed. It appeared too quick between Jack being devastated about killing Edwin Drood junior before his unrelenting pursuit of Rosa. I also thought it wasn't clear about how long Edwin Drood senior had been dead for (although I may have simply missed this explanation). I think it's worth adding that I haven't read the book, which may explain why the story wasn't entirely clear to me.

I the smallest of ways - the merest of niggles - I agree with you Mike. I think in quite a lot of recent BBC productions there isn't strong enough sense of time passing, to make it clear to the audience whether it's months or weeks that have gone by.



I just adore this production so much but I have to admit I have no idea how many days past from the beginning to the end.

Thanks for the prompt reply, Diarmuid. I appreciate the problem you had in attempting to fill a gap of six months in such a short space of time, and your comprehensive answer has certainly explained why you thought it best to film it the way you did. It was, honestly, a very small issue in an adaptation I thoroughly enjoyed.

Thank you for the explanation Diarmuid. I do see what you mean but I'm going to have to defend Dickens here *smile*. As a viewer I wouldn't have found it in the least bit odd to have seen Jasper being obsessed with Rosa for six months - or at least a change of season. Surely Jasper would have been partially occupied with his other addiction, and wouldn't the restrictions and propriety of Victorian society have prevented a lot of opportunities for contact (or stalking) and so prolonged the obsession anyway?



I don't feel that showing a longer passage of time would have damaged Jasper's story arc at all but it would have helped Eddy's a great deal and not made it seem as if his journey to and from Egypt was made by airplane. *laugh* That was exactly my only quibble about the whole production.



Oh, I do have another quibble, it was much too short and I didn't want it to end.