Gormenghast (TV serial)

Gormenghast (TV serial)
Format	Fantasy miniseries
Created by	Series: Malcolm McKay Books: Mervyn Peake
Written by	Malcolm McKay
Directed by	Andy Wilson
Starring	Jonathan Rhys Meyers Celia Imrie Ian Richardson Neve McIntosh Christopher Lee
Country of origin	United Kingdom
Language(s)	English
No. of episodes	4
Production
Running time	approx. 58 min. (per episode)
Broadcast
Original channel	BBC
Original airing	17 January 2000

Gormenghast is a four-episode television serial based on the Gormenghast series by Mervyn Peake. It was produced and broadcast by the BBC.

First broadcast in early 2000, this BBC serial of the celebrated modernist fantasy by Mervyn Peake was designed for an early evening time-slot in much the same vein as the earlier adaptations of The Chronicles of Narnia. Although Peake has left numerous drawings concerning his work, the creators preferred a new approach that injected a good deal more colour and humour into what is, on the page, a very dark and exhausted world; a place of shadows, dust, rust and nettles^{[citation needed]}.

The BBC conception was based on the idea that Peake's early life in China had influenced the creation of Gormenghast^{[citation needed]}; thus, the castle in the series resembles the Forbidden City in Beijing as well as the holy city of Lhasa in Tibet. This idea has basic validity, particularly as regards the 'bright carvings' of the wood-working outer dwellers, but purists^[who?] might consider the entire production rather lighter than the books, which author Anthony Burgess regarded as a great classic of the twentieth century and an allegory of the two World Wars^{[citation needed]}.

Cast

Role	Actor
Steerpike	Jonathan Rhys Meyers
Lady Gertrude	Celia Imrie
Lord Groan	Ian Richardson
Lady Fuchsia	Neve McIntosh
Flay	Christopher Lee
Swelter	Richard Griffiths
Titus (17 years)	Andrew N. Robertson
Dr. Prunesquallor	John Sessions
Irma Prunesquallor	Fiona Shaw
Nannie Slagg	June Brown
Clarice Groan	Zoë Wanamaker
Cora Groan	Lynsey Baxter
Professor Bellgrove	Stephen Fry
Barquentine	Warren Mitchell
Rottcodd	Windsor Davies
Mollocks	Eric Sykes
De'Ath	Spike Milligan
The Fly	Gregor Fisher
Professor Perch	Mark Williams
Professor Flower	Martin Clunes
Professor Mule	Steve Pemberton
Professor Shred	Phil Cornwell
Professor Fluke	James Dreyfus
Poet	Sean Hughes

Differences between the book and the miniseries

There are a number of changes from the plots of both books. Barquentine has two legs and crutches on screen rather than one as in the book because Warren Mitchell couldn't manage with one leg strapped up. Certain changes are made to make the story fit the four episode format: Steerpike's murder of Barquentine is delayed until the fourth episode, to make room for the sections concerning Titus's escapes, thus making the character significantly older when this happens. Several minor characters and subplots were cut out for the screen. The story of Keda's lovers' rivalry and Keda's subsequent wanderings in the wilderness are condensed and she leaves Gormenghast much later, just prior to Swelter and Sepulchrave's deaths. Sourdust (Barquentine's father who dies in the fire), and Pentecost the gardener are eliminated entirely. Rottcodd, who in the book was in charge of the Hall of the Bright Carvings, becomes in the miniseries captain of the guard; a similar character does appear in the books but goes unnamed.

Steerpike is a much more sympathetic character than in the book. In Titus Groan he has only been in the kitchen for a few weeks, before making his escape, while on TV it was stated he had been there since he was six, suffering various abuses at the hands of Swelter, which is meant to make the viewer feel sorry for him. He is also less physically attractive in the book, with close-set red eyes and greasy hair. In the series, Steerpike poisons Nannie Slagg, who has become an obstacle to Steerpike's relationship with Fuchsia. In the book, Nannie Slagg dies of old age.

A section of the plot of Titus Groan in which Fuchsia and Steerpike meet in the woods and discuss equality, and Fuchsia subsequently breaking her leg, is moved forward into the events of Gormenghast, by which point Steerpike is actively trying to seduce Fuchsia. An additional scene is added where Steerpike, now on the run, begs for Fuchsia's help and seems the be on the point of receiving it, but when he calls her "Fuchsia", rather than Lady as he has on all other occasions, the display of affection shocks Fuchsia who calls for the guards. Steerpike leaps from the window, reminding her that he could have given her everything. In the book, Fuchsia's depression is internal.

External links

• Gormenghast at bbc.co.uk
• Homepage of the serial at PBS.org
• Gormenghast at the Internet Movie Database