The pillars of the earth

Stars: Matthew Macfadyen, Ian McShane, Eddie Redmayne

Director: Sergio Mimica Gezzan

Release Date: November 23, 2010

MPAA Rating: Unrated

The pillars of the earth, by Ken Follett, became his best-loved and best-selling novel through word of mouth. Set in the mid-12th century, readers follow the lives of two generations of Freemasons, monks, aristocrats, kings, queens, and bishops. The story takes place during a time of civil war and unrest in England, which is known as “The Anarchy”. The pillars of the earth is historical fiction, set in the fictional city of Kingbridge, based on the true events surrounding the sinking of the “white ship” and the death of Thomas Beckett. The white ship held the King of England, who had no direct heir, resulting in decades of war for the throne. It is the death of Thomas Becket that prompts the revelation that royal power is not absolute. We live the period between these events during the construction of an innovative cathedral and the corruption that sought to stop it.

Ken Follett wanted, for many years, to write a novel about building a cathedral, and now his masterpiece is an 8-episode series. The pillars of the earth it offers existing fans a visual setting for the story, and for new fans an exciting and fun series. Fans of the books should be prepared for some significant differences in the series, including missing characters, character mix, and a considerably different ending.

The story essentially follows four families. First, Tom Builder (Rufus Sewell), a bricklayer with big dreams of being the chief architect of a cathedral. Tom Builder’s wife died suddenly during childbirth. Unable to care for his other two children, he abandons his new baby and he and the children begin traveling with an outcast woman and her son. Finally, they head to Kingsbridge Monastery, which has a ruined church. Through a series of events, he becomes the architect of a new cathedral there. Although his dream is not fulfilled during his life, it is through the life of his stepson Jack Jackson. Jack plays an important role not only in the innovations and art of the cathedral, but also in the revelations of dark corruption.

Second, there are the Hamleighs, the family of a minor lord with a sadistic son William, who aim to improve their status by any means. After multiple rejections and humiliations, William uses severe violence and political maneuvering to promote his power. The power he and his family seek? Shiring County. However, William has a weakness. An extreme fear of the burning fires of hell.

The original Shiring’s Earl Bartholomew (Donald Sutherland) with his two children, Aliena and Richard, make up our third family. After the earl is executed for following the wrong side to the throne, the Hamleighs compete for their county by whatever means necessary. However, they underestimate their children. It is Aliena who becomes a main character throughout the story as she does whatever it takes to restore the county from her father to her brother.

The fourth family referred to is a “monastic family”. Prior Phillip (Matthew Macfadyen of Pride and prejudice Y Death at a funeral) is the prior of Kingsbridge. He considers himself humble and adheres to a strict monastic code. It is Kingsbridge where the cathedral will be built. Constantly stopped by politics, a collapse, and a cruel attack, his leadership finally surpasses it all. He is a major player in everyone’s life, including Tom Builder’s abandoned baby. Phillip’s brother had found the baby and brought him in to raise him at the monastery.

Throughout their lives, all of the main characters are affected directly or indirectly by an incredibly corrupt and power-hungry priest / bishop, Waleran Bigod (Ian McShane from Old thing) He is involved in the mysterious events at the beginning of the story that subject everyone to a life of war, death, fire, violence and greed.

There are a host of other funny characters in the story, all of whom cannot be mentioned here. The pillars of the earth it is engaging and entertaining, especially for those who enjoy this period of time. It is the timeless story of good vs. evil and redemption. Some major differences from the book include the nature of William Hamleigh and his mother’s relationship (not incestuous in the book), the time when certain revelations come to light (Tom Builder’s abandoned baby does not find out about his background to adulthood, while in the film he learns as a child), and the ultimate fate of Waleran Bigod. Telling his fate in the book or movie would be too much of a spoiler!

General, The pillars of the earth The series is very funny. As with most book-to-screen adaptations, the book is better.