--spoilers-- I loved this version. The Beeb have used Vermeer paintings for Bertram's home, notably the Girl at the Spinet (I think that's the title), but done it all in black and white. Amazing set. Helena plays the spinet at one stage and how interesting as I'd never seen a spinet keyboard that close before - how cramped the keyboard is.
Every character is acted perfectly. Bertram is hissily horrid to nice kind Helena, and wouldn't we ladies all like to smack him for his ill manners? Time and again in the past women were forced into marriages with men they detested and how many of those men who had the freedom to choose their bride ever cared if she was miserable? But Bertram throws a fit when ordered by the King to marry Helena because he despises her "lowly rank". I can't imagine even the very grateful king would have forced a nobleman in his court to marry a girl much below his class and it was clear all the other gentlemen questioned were happy to have her if she'd chosen so. What's with Bertram's arrogance?!
It makes a good story as Bertram defies the King somewhat by refusing to consummate the marriage and then has the cheek to use the dowry the king has given Helena to pay for his accoutrements and journey off to war, leaving Helena a spiteful note telling her he won't love her until she has got a valuable family ring off his finger and can prove he's made her pregnant - two feats he's certain she can never achieve as he also tells her he'll never see her again. He sends a thoroughly mean letter to his mother too, saying there's nothing for him at home until his unwanted wife is dead. Not a thought for his poor old mother maybe never seeing him again.
Of course Helena manages to get the ring and the pregnancy, although she's exceedingly fortunate that the Florentine girl Diana who helps Helena trap Bertram back into his marriage isn't after Bertram herself when he absolutely ruthlessly sets out to seduce her. But Diana is sensible. She knows Bertram's married and won't give herself without marriage. Disliking Bertram's deceit, she and her mother and some friends are happy to trick Bertram so that Helena gets the ring and the pregnancy. Mean Bertram is thoroughly trapped though he doesn't know it yet.
He hears that his wife is dead and goes home. Everyone including the King congregates there for the final scene. There's a fair bit of fuss about rings being in the possession of the wrong people and the king gets annoyed with Bertram again. Diana and her mother and Helena also arrive though Helena keeps out of sight whilst Diana insists Bertram must marry her. Bertram is in a fix because now his wife's dead he's decided he loves her. But it's all sorted out when Helena appears. Bertram gets off pretty lightly, frankly.
Every character is acted perfectly. Bertram is hissily horrid to nice kind Helena, and wouldn't we ladies all like to smack him for his ill manners? Time and again in the past women were forced into marriages with men they detested and how many of those men who had the freedom to choose their bride ever cared if she was miserable? But Bertram throws a fit when ordered by the King to marry Helena because he despises her "lowly rank". I can't imagine even the very grateful king would have forced a nobleman in his court to marry a girl much below his class and it was clear all the other gentlemen questioned were happy to have her if she'd chosen so. What's with Bertram's arrogance?!
It makes a good story as Bertram defies the King somewhat by refusing to consummate the marriage and then has the cheek to use the dowry the king has given Helena to pay for his accoutrements and journey off to war, leaving Helena a spiteful note telling her he won't love her until she has got a valuable family ring off his finger and can prove he's made her pregnant - two feats he's certain she can never achieve as he also tells her he'll never see her again. He sends a thoroughly mean letter to his mother too, saying there's nothing for him at home until his unwanted wife is dead. Not a thought for his poor old mother maybe never seeing him again.
Of course Helena manages to get the ring and the pregnancy, although she's exceedingly fortunate that the Florentine girl Diana who helps Helena trap Bertram back into his marriage isn't after Bertram herself when he absolutely ruthlessly sets out to seduce her. But Diana is sensible. She knows Bertram's married and won't give herself without marriage. Disliking Bertram's deceit, she and her mother and some friends are happy to trick Bertram so that Helena gets the ring and the pregnancy. Mean Bertram is thoroughly trapped though he doesn't know it yet.
He hears that his wife is dead and goes home. Everyone including the King congregates there for the final scene. There's a fair bit of fuss about rings being in the possession of the wrong people and the king gets annoyed with Bertram again. Diana and her mother and Helena also arrive though Helena keeps out of sight whilst Diana insists Bertram must marry her. Bertram is in a fix because now his wife's dead he's decided he loves her. But it's all sorted out when Helena appears. Bertram gets off pretty lightly, frankly.