'Raunchy' drama Versailles - Tonight, 9:30 pm, BBC 2

Mr.Nice Guy

The BBC have been getting a bit of flak for showing this period drama, Versailles, which starts tonight on BBC 2.

Some tabloids have branded it 'primetime porn', but it's been a big hit in France where it debuted on Canal+ last year and it's already been commissioned for a second series and been sold to more than 135 countries.

I imagine the raunchy stuff has been overstated as tabloids tend to go OTT about this kind of thing.

Anyone planning to watch? I'll give it a look...because I'm interested in French history of course.

Harry Palmr

It's in English (which annoyed the French) and the bonkbuster aspect is apparently squeezed (tightly) into the first episode after that there's less of that sort of thing.

Wibbs

I've seen it and don't ask how and no it actually wasn't illegally. I know. Quelle horror.

It's sumptuous and bodice ripping with blood and guts and boobies and bottoms. Lots of intrigue and panting and heaving going on and TBH I found it a bit of craic. It's about as historically accurate as The Tudors, but fulfils the same kinda role. I've certainly seen much worse. And it's chockablock with good looking folks of all kinds, so whatever oils your axle you will find your Castrol here.

And Lizzie Brochere is in it, though sadly not nearly enough for my tastes. That lass must be very close to the limit of the biggest eyes a human head can safely contain. Ahhh… if I was ten years younger and ten times better better looking, I might hang around that little bit longer before she had security heave me out. *wistful aside*

Mr.Nice Guy

Noémie Schmidt is the name of the lady who emerged from the water in case, like me, you were wondering. :pac:

cajonlardo

Wibbs wrote: »

whatever oils your axle you will find your Castrol here.

every now and again someone says something brilliant on the internet

Mr.Nice Guy

It was good fun. I agree with Wibbs that it had a feel of The Tudors about it. I'll give episode 2 a look.

fryup

not really into period dramas but i must say this one is quite good,

the acting, the setting, the costumes, the script, the ahem cleavage all very impressive

oh btw - the guy playing the lead role also played the monk Athelstan in the vikings

fryup

anyone watching this?

i'm enjoying it, a good ol' romp

goose2005

"The Taking of Power by Louis XIV" is hard to beat (Roberto Rossellini 1966)

Harry Palmr

Its terrible.

scream

Harry Palmr wrote: »

Its terrible.

:eek: WTAF There's sex, power struggles, politics and intrigue, all set against a sumptuous backdrop, what's not to like?

Harry Palmr

A horrid 21st century carbuncle of a misfire, nothing is remotely in tune with the era in which this is set. All the worse as it's based on history. The music could have been lifted from The Fall, the dialogue and delivery is anachronistic modern, the opening credit sequence feels redolent of a spy thriller. Between them the entire cast can hardly summon up a scintilla of 17th century "Frenchness". Throwing in tit and arse is no substitute for quality

All for the sake of international sales, Canal+ really should be quite embarrassed.

fryup

^^^^^^^^^

tis, great..........love a bit of tit & arse

fryup

am i the only one on boards.ie watching this??

its as clichéd as hell, but it passes an hour nicely

stesaurus

I really like it, very Tudors esque as mentioned previously. Anyone wanting a history lesson from these kind of shows is going to be disappointed.

fryup

well that series 1 over, what do you think??

not exactly an accurate historical portrayal but what the hell, its entertaining