Gransnet forums

TV, radio, film, Arts

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!

rosesarered Fri 02-May-14 13:24:43

Disapointing is the right word.

Tegan Thu 01-May-14 22:09:32

Long time since I read the book so wondered if they always called her Mary Yellan all the time in it? I just kept thinking of The Waltons and half expected John Boy to appear at any moment. Other than that I found it totally tedious and the girl playing Mary Yellan was characterless. Had it been someone like Gemma Arterton in Tess of the d'Urbervilles I would have watched it regardless of the sound quality. Very disappointing.

trendygran Fri 25-Apr-14 17:38:51

The best thing about Jamaica Inn was having coffee there on Wednesday on our way home from Cornwall. My friends and I were so relieved to find out that we weren't really going deaf as we watched the drama on TV in . Bodmin. Shame they had to film it in Ireland! Not exactly the best bbc production !

rosesarered Fri 25-Apr-14 15:09:43

Never fired a flintlock pistol [surprisingly] so all the gun talk doesn't mean much to me, having just watched the final episode. This series did get better, the second and third episodes were good, but still couldn't understand Joss Merlin's mumblings.Very romantic ending, they went off into the sunset after all. Very high body count in this series, surely the book wasn't as graphic?

Deedaa Thu 24-Apr-14 23:22:05

I must admit I noticed the speed of reloading grin If you've ever fired a flintlock pistol you'll know how long it takes. DH came in at the end of the gun fight and remarked that the pistol shot was way too quiet so I just said "Never mind the sound, you should have seen how many shots they were able to get off"
I'm going to have to read the book again - there was so much I didn't recognise I shall have to find out what really happened!

Ana Thu 24-Apr-14 19:05:11

Well, as you're paid up until next Christmas you may as well have a look every now and then, apricot!

apricot Thu 24-Apr-14 18:58:58

The appalling sound quality couldn't have been caused by televisions the size of a wall because mine is titchy. I've only owned a TV since Christmas and no way has it been worth the licence fee. I watch about 1 programme (but now they are called "shows") each week.
So goodbye, BBC and back to the radio, which is well worth £12 per month.

Grannyknot Thu 24-Apr-14 16:34:21

Hilda so did mine! I told him snippily "I'm certain the researchers at BBC wouldn't make such a mistake!" LOL.

HildaW Thu 24-Apr-14 15:06:35

Oh how my husband roared at the improbably fast reloading of the flint locks......I half expected to see John Wayne behind one of the rocks....and No I did not watch it all - just flipped over when the adverts were on t'other side!

whenim64 Thu 24-Apr-14 14:43:57

In the book, it's Mary Yellan, felice. Just had another look in case I read it wrong earlier.

felice Thu 24-Apr-14 14:33:52

It is Mary Yelland, but when the name was said in the first episode it sounded like they were saying, Mary-Ellen.

janeainsworth Thu 24-Apr-14 10:11:40

Sorry Aka, just seen Debncreme's link on another thread
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-27132035
They have been granted minority status.

janeainsworth Thu 24-Apr-14 10:06:12

They want independence, Aka. Or something similar. <sigh>

jinglbellsfrocks Thu 24-Apr-14 09:39:12

You must have had the audio description, as well as the subtitles, on merlot. I didn't get any "horse nickers"! grin

Aka Thu 24-Apr-14 09:29:20

I thought she was Mary Yelland too.

What news about Cornwall?

DebnCreme Thu 24-Apr-14 09:25:47

Had recorded it but given today's news regarding Cornwall it may have to stay unwatched until my temper cools down.

whenim64 Thu 24-Apr-14 09:19:51

It's Mary Yellan, roses. A lovely book, Jamaica Inn. I started reading it again last night.

rosesarered Thu 24-Apr-14 09:10:16

Have recorded it to watch tonight, but so far only seen the first episode.Glad the sound improves a bit.
Isn't the heroines name Mary Yelland? Only others keep saying Mary Ellen, so maybe I am remembering her name wrongly [haven't read this since I was about 14.]
Do horses make a lot of sounds with a K in them? Nicker, whicker?confused Thought a horse nicker was a rustler.

Jackthelad Thu 24-Apr-14 08:41:55

Some of you are made of sterner stuff and stuck out to the end, but why the surprise at the changes to the storyline. Modern dramatists love to graft on present day values and add in how they think the story should have been told. "I can do it better". I liked the BBC's response over the poor quality of the sound. It wasn't their broadcast it was your big screen television not having the correct speakers. You really should have kept your old Ferguson 9" black and white.

jansyhy Thu 24-Apr-14 08:38:39

Dismayed with the poor sound quality and the darkness. A waste of licence payers money. I thought the BBC should have done so much better. Suggest people read the book.

NfkDumpling Thu 24-Apr-14 07:46:30

I enjoyed it. Apart from the ending. Too many bullets just nicking rocks, incredibly fast reloading and accurate shots to the heart! I too will need to re-read the book. It's been a while!

merlotgran Wed 23-Apr-14 23:13:52

According to DH, Jamaica Inn was three nights of old horse nickers. grin

Deedaa Wed 23-Apr-14 23:11:32

I had a long argument with a teacher at primary school merlot because I mentioned a pony nickering in a story I wrote. I assured her that according to my knowledge of pony books (Which was encyclopaedic at that time!) it was a perfectly acceptable word and what ponies did. She grudgingly allowed it, but I don't think she believed me.

merlotgran Wed 23-Apr-14 23:04:59

I like the way the subtitles describe a background noise like.....door creaks.

The best one was.....Horse nickers. grin

jinglbellsfrocks Wed 23-Apr-14 22:55:16

So much of the book I can't remember…

Will have to do the same merlot