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The Saxon Chronicles (The Last Kingdom)
Posted on 6/9/17 at 8:40 am
Posted on 6/9/17 at 8:40 am
Just started this series and I'm almost done reading book 1. I feel like Alfred isn't as much of an arse in the books and that I understand his motivations better. He comes off as more of a pompous zealot in the show, even though David Dawson does an amazing job portraying him. And other than the hair color I think Alexander Dreymon was perfectly cast as Uhtred.
4
Posted on 6/9/17 at 9:35 am to ladytiger118
quote:
and that I understand his motivations better.
I think this is the gist of it. He is kind of a pompus arse and kind of a religious fanatic in the books. But his actions are taken for a reason and he is a highly effective leader. His reign was pretty much the turning point between the Saxon's and the Danes.
Posted on 6/9/17 at 2:01 pm to ladytiger118
Page 67 here. Alfred has just recently been introduced.
Posted on 6/9/17 at 11:06 pm to ladytiger118
The show does a great job but yes the books are able to delve into personalities and motives much deeper.
I disagree here. Dreymon lacks the hair color and height. And while he does a good job depicting the arrogance and pride of Uhtred, he lacks the savagery and forcefulness of the book character. Overall he does well enough but it could've been better with a bigger more imposing actor.
Alfred, Alfred's wife, Beocca, young Ragnar, Mildrith, Gisela, Isuelt, Ubba, Erik. Those are perfectly cast. Leofric and Steapa's characters were combined in season one and it worked well. Steapa in season two should've been bigger and uglier, more like Clapa, but no biggie.
quote:
And other than the hair color I think Alexander Dreymon was perfectly cast as Uhtred.
I disagree here. Dreymon lacks the hair color and height. And while he does a good job depicting the arrogance and pride of Uhtred, he lacks the savagery and forcefulness of the book character. Overall he does well enough but it could've been better with a bigger more imposing actor.
Alfred, Alfred's wife, Beocca, young Ragnar, Mildrith, Gisela, Isuelt, Ubba, Erik. Those are perfectly cast. Leofric and Steapa's characters were combined in season one and it worked well. Steapa in season two should've been bigger and uglier, more like Clapa, but no biggie.
Posted on 6/10/17 at 7:35 am to ladytiger118
I agree his actions make more sense in the books, Uhtred does some dumb stuff that gives Alfred little choice sometimes. Also I can't imagine Alfred's wife in the books EVER taking Uhtreds side
I actually think he's perfect for early Uhtred
BOOK SPOILERS BELOW
once Uhtred becomes more legendary and the best fighter in England I agree the actor won't fit as well he's not intimidating enough
quote:
disagree here. Dreymon lacks the hair color and height. And while he does a good job depicting the arrogance and pride of Uhtred, he lacks the savagery and forcefulness of the book character. Overall he does well enough but it could've been better with a bigger more imposing actor.
I actually think he's perfect for early Uhtred
BOOK SPOILERS BELOW
once Uhtred becomes more legendary and the best fighter in England I agree the actor won't fit as well he's not intimidating enough
Posted on 6/11/17 at 8:48 pm to biglego
quote:
I disagree here. Dreymon lacks the hair color and height. And while he does a good job depicting the arrogance and pride of Uhtred, he lacks the savagery and forcefulness of the book character. Overall he does well enough but it could've been better with a bigger more imposing actor.
I kinda agree. The actor has the charisma for the role. But he is a little lacking in the physical presence needed for the role. I don't think it's just his height. Kit Harrington is pretty short but he pulls off a physical role. But this guy just doesn't look like Uthred to me.
Posted on 6/12/17 at 9:31 pm to Methuselah
Yea I mean Uhtred is supposed to be 6'4 with blonde hair
Posted on 6/13/17 at 6:48 am to Tiger1242
quote:
Yea I mean Uhtred is supposed to be 6'4 with blonde hair
I guess they couldn't get Chris Hemsworth.
Posted on 6/13/17 at 3:41 pm to Methuselah
I always pictured Hemsworth when reading the books
And it's not just about height but about overall physicality. And Dreymon's voice isn't rough enough.
There are many times in the books where it's made known that other characters are simply terrified of Uhtred. Even in those brutal times, he stands out for his sword craft and belligerence. This could've been captured by a different actor but Dreymon does well enough. The other characters are so perfectly cast that it helps.
And it's not just about height but about overall physicality. And Dreymon's voice isn't rough enough.
There are many times in the books where it's made known that other characters are simply terrified of Uhtred. Even in those brutal times, he stands out for his sword craft and belligerence. This could've been captured by a different actor but Dreymon does well enough. The other characters are so perfectly cast that it helps.
Posted on 6/13/17 at 4:09 pm to biglego
Maybe I'm saying this because I watched the show before I started the books, but I don't understand why y'all are acting like Alexander Dreymon is as short as Kit Harington . I think he's close to 6'0. Sure he's not blonde like book Uhtred but so far I think he's decent in the role.
It's hard to find actors who are Hemsworth sized FWIW.
. I think he's close to 6'0. Sure he's not blonde like book Uhtred but so far I think he's decent in the role. It's hard to find actors who are Hemsworth sized FWIW.
Posted on 6/14/17 at 1:23 pm to ladytiger118
Almost done with book 1, and my opinion of the show has changed. It doesn't come close to representing the story. I probably won't continue watching the TV show. Uhtred is more complex, and I enjoy the struggle between his love for Ragnar and his homeland more. I watched season 1 when it was released, but I don't remember it getting into all the battles and raiding young Uhtred does. And there is the dynamic of his uncle trying to kill him.
Posted on 6/15/17 at 8:36 pm to AUCE05
quote:
Almost done with book 1, and my opinion of the show has changed. It doesn't come close to representing the story. I probably won't continue watching the TV show. Uhtred is more complex, and I enjoy the struggle between his love for Ragnar and his homeland more. I watched season 1 when it was released, but I don't remember it getting into all the battles and raiding young Uhtred does. And there is the dynamic of his uncle trying to kill him.
I read the books first and I like the show a good deal. I devoured season two over a few days.
No show is ever going to completely depict the complexity of a well written book series. But for me, this one does a good job of being what it is - a show. I like that they at least try to depict shield wall fighting. And that they do have some grey rather than all black or white characters.
Posted on 6/15/17 at 10:22 pm to Methuselah
This. With both GoT and TLK, I was a show watcher first and then became a book reader. I love both mediums for what they are and realize the shows won't be verbatim to the books. I just finished The Last Kingdom and started The Pale Horseman. FWIW I understand why the show cut out a big chunk of Uhtred's early tween years with Ragnar and got a little bored with some of it. I know I'm nowhere near being done the books but I've had fans of both series tell me that TLK has followed book events much closer than GoT has in the past 2 seasons. But then again at least Cornwell actually puts out a book every 1.5-2 years unlike Fat Man .
.This post was edited on 6/15/17 at 10:23 pm
Posted on 6/16/17 at 12:11 pm to ladytiger118
The Last Kingdom show of course streamlines and sets out some things from the book. But overall it is faithful to the story, more faithful than many adaptations.
quote:
but I've had fans of both series tell me that TLK has followed book events much closer than GoT has in the past 2
seasons
Posted on 6/16/17 at 1:08 pm to biglego
I'm completely fine with TLK's streamlining, especially with the early part of book 1. I started book 2 yesterday and was surprised at how it jumped right back into it. The first chapter was Uhtred killing Better than Barley, pulling out his sword while Alfred was in prayer because of Young Odda lying about who killed Ubba, and how Aethewold and him had to grovel and Aethewold yelling "I love tits" LOL. That chapter was basically verbatim in the show. I was surprised at how much was in just the first chapter and all of it was in season 1. So far it I seems like S1 showed more of the events of book 2 than book 1.
I'm mainly concerned about book 3. The Guthrum stuff with the douche Abbott was sort of boring and didn't get super interesting until Ragnar saved him from slavery and then went on to kill Kjartan and Sven; that episode was a finale in itself (S2E4). I loved loved loved S2 E5-E8 so I'm looking forward to when I get to reading Sword Song (book 4).
I'm mainly concerned about book 3. The Guthrum stuff with the douche Abbott was sort of boring and didn't get super interesting until Ragnar saved him from slavery and then went on to kill Kjartan and Sven; that episode was a finale in itself (S2E4). I loved loved loved S2 E5-E8 so I'm looking forward to when I get to reading Sword Song (book 4).
This post was edited on 6/16/17 at 1:12 pm
Posted on 6/16/17 at 4:25 pm to ladytiger118
I was actually responding to the poster who gave up on the show bc it didn't include every nuance from the books.
The show really streamlined Uhtred's childhood. Like the first half of Book 1 is done in about 30 minutes of the first episode. Which I'm fine with. We want to see adult Uhtred fighting.
Lords of the North is my favorite but Sword Song is right behind. Really, I love books 3 through about 6 the best. Uhtred in his savage prime. He's especially violent in Sword Song, and Dreymon doesn't quite capture that ferocity.
The show really streamlined Uhtred's childhood. Like the first half of Book 1 is done in about 30 minutes of the first episode. Which I'm fine with. We want to see adult Uhtred fighting.
Lords of the North is my favorite but Sword Song is right behind. Really, I love books 3 through about 6 the best. Uhtred in his savage prime. He's especially violent in Sword Song, and Dreymon doesn't quite capture that ferocity.
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