MovieChat Forums > The Hour (2011) Discussion > The Hour and comparisons with Mad Men

The Hour and comparisons with Mad Men

posted 14 years ago by janey187
11 replies | jump to latest

I started to watch "The Hour" after I'd read it described as the British version of "Mad Men". I have watched every episode except the first one, but it has not grown on me. Perhaps because I missed the opening episode I have found it difficult to get into the story but somehow I think there's more to it than that. Whereas "Mad Men" did a brilliant job of capturing the mood of the early 60s, "The Hour" fails to do the same for Britain in the 1950s. Yes, it may have got the costumes and sets correct but it fails to capture the spirit of the period. Freddie and Bel are too 21st century in their attitudes, demeanour and speech. I cannot imagine any young woman in the mid 50s acting as Bel does.

Two other things I'd like to mention. Not EVERYONE in the 50s was a smoker, and swearing and blaspheming would have been deeply frowned upon at that time.

Music is the mediator between the spiritual and the sensual life.

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] oneseat 14 years ago

Thank you both for this. I have watched only one episode because I'm relying on the BBC America schedule through Xfinity TV, but I concur that, so far, the series resembles Mad Men only in its careful attention to costumes and props, which I do appreciate.

I came here to note that a comparison to Rubicon is more appropriate, but I see that that observation has already been made, so I will move on.

I find the character of Freddie somewhat more believable than that of Bel. Wasn't that era famous for the birth of the "angry young men"? Bel looks and acts like a 1980s-era corporate climber. Her hair is too smooth, her suits are too manly, her make-up is too subdued, and most of all her attitude is too entitled.

[–] Obbykins 13 years ago

Bel's loosely based on a real-life figure.

- We could be men with ven!

[–] Stirchley 13 years ago

Don't compare The Hour to any other show, least of all Mad Men. The Hour is a very unique show, different from any other I have seen. I have enjoyed the 6 episodes and wish there were more.

[–] dano40-1 12 years ago

You must be watching too many actual TV shows from the 50's, real life was not shown on entertainment shows by and large, everyone (larger percentage of the adult population) smoked before the 1970's, smoking today is a lot less today in the western countries, go to Eastern Europe or the third world oh boy!

[–] dano40-1 12 years ago

And one more thing women in Europe in some areas are ahead of women in America today particularly in the Scandinavian countries, there are more well written parts for women and older people coming out of Europe (UK and Scandinavia) than here in America.

[–] Squeeth2 12 years ago

I think it's more like the new Dr Who, (NuWho) except they walk down corridors with a fag on instead of running.

Marlon, Claudia and Dimby the cats 1989-2005, 2007 and 2010.

[–] alfa-16 12 years ago

You're right in a way, I think. It's too plot driven. There are too many characters, too little development and the focus slips all over the place.

Pretty much the opposite of Mad Men.

[–] Squeeth2 12 years ago

I'm waiting for Lix Storm to expose her proclivities.

Marlon, Claudia and Dimby the cats 1989-2005, 2007 and 2010.

[–] Prismark10 12 years ago

I think the series has borrowed from Mad men in terms of Tone, the colourful look and sets.

Apart from that they are different animals.

Its that man again!!

[–] DrapersGirlFriday 12 years ago

I can see why comparisons could be made between the two: takes place in roughly same time period, a successfull agency as its focus, three vital characters (two men, one woman, of similar age too), Hector/Don, Bel/Peggy + Joan, Freddie/Pete, Marnie/Betty, etc. But other than that they are indeed very different shows.

As people have mentioned, TH is essentially plot driven with little room for character study. The cinematography and atmosphere are similar to those of a spy thriller and film noir (for season 1 at least), replete with the Saul Bass-ispired opening credits. Cold War scare is abundant and political issues are much more prominent here. MM is more along the lines of a Sirkian melodrama with a dash of Hitchcock.

That said, I don't think I'd mind seeing young Lane Pryce pop up in The Hour.

One look in his eye, and everyone denies, ever having met him.