Memorable, crazy movie

If you don't like this, we can't be friends.

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

The movie really just wants to entertain people.

I will keep this brief for the sake of anyone coming upon this classic gem of a mystery for the first time. Completely disregard any review of this mini-series that's been rated lower than a 4. The people giving it super low ratings will bang on about it being an unworthy adaption or that the spirit of Willie Collins is completely lost on the writers and directors of this series. Ok I lied, not so brief of a review... but anyways these sour puss pretentious wanna be thespian mentioned above are people that have their minds made up before watching any literary classic adapted for the small screen. To them the book is always better no matter what. But guess what no duh... the books always better but that doesn't mean adapting a classic is a crime. I read the book. And having such I can tell you the makers of this show did a good job. The characters and sets were on point and the mystery delivered. I couldn't ask for more in an adaptation, much better than "the moonstone" another recently adapted Willie Collins story brought to the small screen. Sorry for the rant but I hate snobs. Watch and decide for yourself. The acting was great.

As usual, costumes etc are generally good (though why do they so rarely get hair right?) but characters have been messed around to the point where most of them are indistinguishable. Why do modern adaptors think they know better than authors like Wilkie Collins when it comes to characterisation? Or do they just not care? Half the point of the book is that Laura really genuinely needs Marion as she is too gentle and retiring to cope, and Marion knows this, hence her desperation. But as usual these days, all female characters have to be assertive and managing so in this adaptation she seems perfectly capable of running her own affairs. All the book's emphasis on the iniquities of laws that put not only their money but the women themselves into the hands of the husband is therefore lost - this Laura lays down her expectations and opinions to Glyde and never seems remotely overawed or in his power. Fosco and Glyde are completely indistinguishable in character as well as appearance. Fosco in the book is a truly menacing character - highly intelligent, cunning, game-playing, a worthy opponent of Marion. Even his admiration of her sets our teeth on edge. His physical appearance with the very delicate habits and pet mice contrast really creepily with what we know he is really like. That's the whole point. But here we get bland villain no. 2. Glyde is completely wrong in every way, just a paler version of Fosco. Mr Fairlie and Marion are done well, though, which is what kept me watching.

So atmospheric and creepy. Great cast and acting. Hoorah for the BBC!

Mr Collins' Victorian Gothic Novel is given the same respect afforded to "Bleak House" in 2005 which itself was an essay on middle - class manners , morals and hypocrisy. It is apparent that our national broadcaster is still able to pull out a plum just at the time our admiration for it might have been slightly declining due to a number of sub - standard offerings of late. "The woman in white" has all the hallmarks of classic costume drama. It is carefully cast,mixing the familiar faces with the rather less so. An atmosphere of slight menace prevails even in the lightest moments,the beautiful house and its grounds,the beach,even the sea seem to contain some unspecified threat. The interior lighting conceals more than it reveals.Mr C.Dance's study is a fine example of hidden mystery. All the performances are spot on,but I might single out mesdames Buckley and Scanlan in particular for bringing more to their characters that even,fine actors that they are,might have been expected. Does "The woman in white" signal a return to form for BBC Drama? I hope so,but form is temporary - class is permanent.