Huge Potential
Stunning set design with a superb atmospheric score, while the script evokes the period...but oh what a shame, the series is let down by the cast in first two scenes who, unfortunately, are somewhat wooden, along with the presentation of bog-standard SFX in the first two minutes of the opening scene, which however, improves dramatically as the premiere episode moves on. Having said that, the positives far outweigh the negatives. Remember the early episodes of Games of Thrones? Poor, wooden acting that gave way to fluid, competent portrayals of well-known and beloved characters who today are household names. During episode one, we see the cast struggling somewhat to fit their roles as the rest of us dress our clothes, there is some fidgeting, as well as a little tugging here and there as we settle into our outfits, the same can be said of Beowulf's cast.
Are the sets realistic you ask? Trust me, the sets are incredible, reflecting the very highest production values therein and creating just the right atmosphere, especially the Hall of the Mountain King which evokes the very best of Tolkienian fantasy. And what about the villages and towns? Incredibly, I believe they have been built from scratch. Which reminds me, the titles also look amazing, truly of the period and conjure just the right atmosphere.
Episode one sees Beowulf as a child bereft, having witnessed the death of his father following a fight against 'mud-born' trolls. Indeed, we see a very young Beowulf seize the moment and finish off the creatures. Moving on, the audience witnesses the chronology flip forward and we see an older, rather more experienced and mature Beowulf returning home to see his beloved step-father Hrothgar, played brilliantly by William Hurt who shines in these types of roles (remember Ridley Scott's Robin Hood?). However, on arriving, we discover Hrothgar dead and the family engaged in power politics with the crown as the prize. What of Beowulf? We find he is unwelcome, unwelcome indeed......
In closing, before turning over, I recommend you give the show a decent chance as indeed, the adaptation has much to offer and it behoves us all to persevere because the later episodes are absolutely first class.
Another excellent ITV production deserving of a heroic 8/10
Chanel N°3: "I heard that munching box is what killed Michael Douglas."