Notable Miniseries

I just watched The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, a BBC adaptation of Anne Bronte’s novel. The miniseries was so-so and probably would be more enjoyable if you read the novel. It got me thinking about the many mini-series, mainly from Masterpiece Theater, that I have seen, so I thought I would share some good ones and pretty good ones. Some I haven’t seen in quite a while so I may be not remembering them as well I’d like. I will list them in two categories: Really good (according to my imperfect memory) and pretty good. Note: I am not including any Jane Austen movies because, well, I believe I have exhausted that subject.

REALLY GOOD
Middlemarch, 1994, the best! with a steamy performance by Rufus Sewell
Lonesome Dove, 1989, book is great too if you haven’t read it
Forsyte Saga, 2002, I read the big long two part book in preparation for airing and was really impressed with the TV adaptation.
The Jewel in the Crown, 1984, long ago, I remember loving it.
Prime Suspect, probably should be classified as a TV series but on Masterpiece Theater, but so great if you haven’t seen it. Helen Mirren rocks as beleaguered police captain in London.
Brideshead Revisted, 1981, I just re-saw and was re-entranced!

PRETTY GOOD
North and South, 2004, about a mill town in the north of England
Cranford, 2007 Judi Dench, starts slow but gets better
Bleak House, 2005 with Gillian Anderson, at times bleak, but good
Into the West, 2005 A&E Western Saga
Our Mutual Friend, 1998, one of the better Dickens adaptations
Horatio Hornblower, 1998, ooh that cute Ioan Gruffud
The Buccaneers, 1995 based the Edith Wharton novel
The Woman in White, 1997, a cheesy but good adaptation of Wilkie Collins’ novel
Daniel Deronda, 2002, George Eliot saga, with a very cute Deronda played by Hugh Dancy
The Mill in the Floss, 1997 Emily Watson as Maggie in this George Eliot novel made movie