dark picture

Times are hard for the Beeb; dim lighting saves electricity.

Did you watch Johnathan Strange and Mr Norell last night by any chance PRINTMISS.

Was it filmed in a NT property (light destroys the old furnishings so I heard!)

A lot of people seem to be complaining about the terrible sound quality, as well as the dim lighting!

So it's them not us
[sigh of relief]

If they mumble, put subtitles on. I nearly always do anyway, because I live in a flat and don't want to disturb others.

Yes we did nina and the other half loves Atlantas, which also seems to be mainly in the dark,(finished now) yes we know it has to be that way, but really dark? I always have the subtitles on, because I cannot understand what is being said without them, the other half has difficulty reading small print, so that is not much use to him. We are a pair of poor old souls, you know!(That is the other half's cue for the song "We've been together now"......... (join in if you feel like it).

I didn't fancy the "Mr Strange" programme. I quite agree about programmes being dark. Have you seen "Safe House" its always miserably dark. The last series of Silent Witness was also very dark somehow. The mumbling varies. Soaps seem to be OK. Maybe its just intense dramatic types , actor luvvies who feel its part of their art to mumble? Maybe its just directors trying to be artistic. Whoever is responsible though will they please stop it!

I liked the Jonathan Strange drama, so far anyway, but agree it was both dark and bad sound quality and turning the sound up didn't help much.Very much through a glass, darkly, wasn't it?

I know that they didn't have electric light in the nineteenth century, but surely there must be a way to suggest the time, rather than shoot every scene by candlelight! I could hear most of the dialogue in last night's episode of Johnathon Strange and Mr. Norrell, even above my tinnitus, which was nice. Even some American TV series are filmed in the dark. I like Grimm, I'm watching it on Netflix, and that is very dark too.

I have fired off emails to the Beeb before now about their gloomy mumbling dramas. Someone's letter on this very subject was highlighted on Points of View some time ago. It didn't seem to be taken seriously. There was certainly no attempt at apology or promise to investigate. Yes Jane10, nail on the head I reckon with the directors. They're all chasing gongs for artistic authenticity with not a care in the world about anyone actually being able to follow the damn programme.

Nothing has ever come even close to Jamaica Inn though for darkness and mumbling, not to mention mud.

The influence of Nordic noir. What really irritated me were programs like Silent Witness etc.
A program about forensic pathologists, where they were doing post mortems in nearly dark laboratories.
I am no expert but I can't help thinking that it might be quite useful to have some decent lighting when examining a body to try to establish a cause of death.

I just hope this silly fad of directors will soon blow over.

I fell asleep during Mr Strange, but was struggling with it prior to that [perhaps it's why I nodded off].I was having problems with the dialogue as well; thinking about having a hearing test.

Caught up with Mr Strange tonight and DH said it might be interesting if he could understand any of the dialogue!

I shall stick with Mr. Strange, I found it quite intriguing and very clever

Glad it wasn't just me then that thought they needed a hearing test whilst watching Jonathan Strange.

I thought Strange & Norrell was dull. Not my choice DH's

I give up, have no idea what Strange & Norrell is all about. Won't bother any more. I am sure the acting is very good though.

Grumpa

I remember the first episode of Eastenders - the only one I have ever watched - and that was very dimly lit - thirty years ago? I understand it's no less miserable now...

@Printmiss - You sound like me - before I got a couple of NHS hearing aids!

feetle I have the subtitles on all the time - I really just did not understand what the story line was all about!

I gave up on Strange and Norrell last night. Just plain weird. I think the writers might have got their ideas from Merlin!