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not sure if this is in the right area or not. but, I started watching "pillars of the earth" on netflix (it was originally on starz). I haven't had a chance to start building an moc's lately but it seems like it is pretty accurate and would be a good source for inspiration for mocs. any thoughts?

I havent seen the movie but ill have to look it up... can you download it on netflix or do you have to get it sent to you?

Never heard of it actually, but I'm sure I'd love to see a MOC of it - which you are very much welcome to put in the MOC forum. This goes in Medieval Life though.

Hey,

I can't speak to the mini-series as I don't have Starz and so haven't seen it, but the novel by Ken Follett is outstanding. It's set in England against historical events of the 12th century. The bulk of the action takes place in a fictional town around the building of a great cathedral. The book is well-researched, so you learn a lot about architecture, church life, and village life of the time.
My only real complaint about the book is that for most of the action, the lives of the fictional characters take place around the edges of real historical events, but at the end one of the fictional characters plays a key role in a real historical event. That just had a bit of a false note to me.
Also, very early in the book there is a rape that plays a big role in the development of a major character, so not a kids' book by any means.

Bruce

Madeus- thanks for putting this in the right spot.
Bruce- Good point about he book/show. Definitely not a kids book. Maybe 15 and up, I think there is some nudity in it (the mini-series). Forgot that everyone here may not be 18. In terms of the netflix question, it is one you can get on instant queue, have only watched 3/8ths of it so far but I like it. As soon as I get my legos organized I'm gonna try something based off of it.

Thanks for mentioning this, I just added it to my Netflix list.

The miniseries is ok at best.

Read the book. 1,000,000 times better.

I am finding the mini-series alternately delightful and infuriating.

The settings are delightful. Real and CGI buildings combine for a dramatic and enjoyable peek into the past. I also enjoy the realism in the people (including prostitutes!) who populate the scenes.

And then the historical inaccuracies leap out at you and slap you in the face until you are shouting WTF!!?!? at the TV - at least until your wife tells you to just shut up and watch.

I have yet to read the book but I will certainly do so after the series ends. I enjoy having pictures in my head and discovering the details missed in the production.

Oh the art of the necropost...something I usually avoid..BUT...

I started watching this miniseries last night. I had to have the DVD's sent to me by netflix...one at a time. So yes, I have seen the first two episodes and I am in complete awe of the inspiration that this mini-series has built in me to make me a medieval castle, instead of my normal desert castles. (Yes, the Queen of Tan did say that...shocking I know.)

As everyone above has said, it is a good movie for inspiration. Now this isn't a mini-series I would recommend for anyone under age (you decide what that is..I'm not defining that for you), but I would recommend it. It has delicious conspiracies, wicked evil people who sometimes get their proper punishment, good people you can root for, heartbreak, tear jerking moments, heartfelt moments, and just about anything you could ask from it.

I guess this means I need to start stockpiling some greys/bleys or whatever.

Bluesecrets wrote:So yes, I have seen the first two episodes and I am in complete awe of the inspiration that this mini-series has built in me to make me a medieval castle, instead of my normal desert castles. (Yes, the Queen of Tan did say that...shocking I know.)

....

I guess this means I need to start stockpiling some greys/bleys or whatever.

Yay!

In the interim since this thread was first posted I've seen the miniseries, and I have to say that they kind of screwed it up. They made all kinds of inexplicable changes to the plot that just infuriated me. Once again, the book has my highest recommendation. Oh, I've also read the follow-up book World Without End, and it's great as well (it takes place a couple of hundred years later in the same town).

Bruce

Bruce,

When does it take place. Pillars was in the 12th is Without End 14th or 15th?


I thought the book was interested but felt the series was just OK. As you said some odd changes.

Heir

Pillars runs roughly from 1120 to 1170, given that the sinking of the White Ship and the murder of Thomas Becket are real historical events that are referred to. World Without End prominently features the Black Death, which hit the hardest around 1350, and has references to the Hundred Years War, and a specific battle is depicted (the Battle of Crecy) that was in 1346. As with Pillars it covers a few decades, because there are a couple of characters whose lives are followed from childhood until ~50 years old.

Bruce

I second Bluesecrets' review. Never watched the mini-series, but the books are outstanding. I find it particularly impressive that World Without End became a completely different story when the early setup was so close to that of Pillars.

Bruce,

I will have to take a look. 14th century is my century so to speak.

I have read several medieval fictional history type books, Cornwell comes to mind. Some are rather good to OK. His Agincourt book was good if you do not mind some of the strange things he makes up to make things work out.

Heir