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Jamaica Inn

(107 Posts)
whenim64 Mon 21-Apr-14 21:39:43

Anyone watching? I love this book and have been anticipating watching the series with enjoyment, but the sound is terrible - music drowning out conversation, actors mumbling or muffled sound. Looked on the BBC feedback and see others have the same complaint. I hope it bucks up!

Joelise Tue 22-Apr-14 14:45:24

I think that films are never as good as the novel they are based on, but thinking about it, & it was a long time ago that I read Jamaica Inn, it was my least favourite Daphne Du Maurier book.

dollie Tue 22-Apr-14 14:56:03

I gave up watching too after 20 mins....the picture was too dark you couldn't see what was going on and the sound was muffled! what a disappointment!!!!

rubysong Tue 22-Apr-14 15:36:05

I'm a bit relieved by all of these posts. I thought I was going deaf! Also at one point there appeared to be a rather tatty volleyball net just outside the inn. I suppose the smugglers needed to keep fit somehow. Don't expect I'll bother with the next episodes.

whenim64 Tue 22-Apr-14 15:50:38

I wonder if they'll be able to rectify it by tonight? I'll give it a few minutes, in the hope it's a totally different experience from last night.

merlotgran Tue 22-Apr-14 15:59:34

Drama makers seem to completely miss the point that a novel that was able to grab the imagination of young girls (I think I was 14) within a few pages needs to move at a good pace when translated to television. It's a complete cop out to rely on 'atmospherics'.

Daphne du Maurier's work is dated now but I didn't think Jamaica Inn was all that dark when I read it. Maybe I was just itching to get to the romantic bits.

I can't remember her name but I think the girl who played Sybil in Downton Abbey is well cast.

anneey Tue 22-Apr-14 16:20:06

I was about to make an appointment for a hearing Test.
Thank you Gransnet you have put my mind at rest.

HildaW Tue 22-Apr-14 17:13:11

Rosesared......not meant to be a spoiler.......just a comment on the over obvious casting of the one and only well known actor (to me anyway). Apart from Moaning Myrtle that is!

Ana Tue 22-Apr-14 17:18:12

Isn't she in Harry Potter? confused

HildaW Tue 22-Apr-14 17:49:09

Yus!

Ana Tue 22-Apr-14 18:02:30

Phew! (clever of you to spot her, though)

HollyDaze Tue 22-Apr-14 18:03:09

Crikey - I must have bat ears!

jinglbellsfrocks Tue 22-Apr-14 18:03:17

That was a very gruff sounding yes hilda. grin

nigglynellie Tue 22-Apr-14 18:04:02

I too was looking forward to watching Jamaica Inn, and was SO disappointed. Like others on here, I couldn't hear/understand the dialogue, it was so muffled and mumbly. Mary-Ellen's dress and shoes were an issue for me too!! Crimson Fields also, which I am enjoying (just!) was mumbly and disjointed too this week! or is that just me! I shall try again tonight, as I love the book and was really wanting to see the adaptation, in the hopes of better things!!!

apricot Tue 22-Apr-14 18:32:32

I thought there was something wrong with my television as I couldn't hear the dialogue and had to keep putting the volume up and down.
Too dark, too many long lingerings on a face or a bog and T O O O O O
S L O O O O O W !

Atqui Tue 22-Apr-14 18:32:40

They are talking about it on Spotlight , West Country local tv , this evening. The Times reviewer gave it 4 stars.

Atqui Tue 22-Apr-14 19:03:07

The bbc says it had problems with the sound which they hope to rectify tonight. Can't do much about the slow tempo!

merlotgran Tue 22-Apr-14 22:11:29

Turned the subtitles on tonight.

DH thinks the Vicar of Alturnun is being played by Julian Clary hmm

jinglbellsfrocks Tue 22-Apr-14 22:16:42

He he he!!! grin

merlotgran Tue 22-Apr-14 22:46:00

I've just heard a trailer for tomorrow's episode described as Daphne du Maurier's epic......eh??

Penstemmon Tue 22-Apr-14 22:50:50

I was so disappointed with yesterday's episode!

NfkDumpling Tue 22-Apr-14 22:56:59

Getting into it and liked it better tonight. Joss had more shouting to do and fewer lines so his mumbling didn't annoy so much. Perhaps the Beeb did manage to adjust the sound a bit as I could hear the others ok.
And, apparently it's set in deepest winter so the dark and miserable moors made more sense. The Skirt also maintained a more constant state of wetness too. Will watch tomorrow.

Deedaa Tue 22-Apr-14 23:11:16

I can't remember much of the book - it's many years since I read it- but I'm sure I would never have waded through pages and pages of people roaming across the moors looking soulful!
Thought the sound was marginally better tonight.

Lona Wed 23-Apr-14 15:02:10

I'm still watching but I'm afraid "Moaning Myrtle" has ruined it for me! When she peers out from that bonnet I just want to laugh! grin

merlotgran Wed 23-Apr-14 16:26:01

The complaints even made the lunchtime news today.

felice Wed 23-Apr-14 16:41:18

DD had recorded it and said this morning that she had always thought her Mother tongue was English until she tried to watch this.
She doesn't think she will bother with the rest as she hasn't a clue what happened in the first episode.