Stars: Matthew Macfadyen, Ian McShane, Eddie Redmayne
Director: Sergio Mimica Gezzan
Release Date: November 23, 2010
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
The Pillars of the Earth, by Ken Follett, became his most beloved and best selling novel through word of mouth. Set in the middle of the 12th century, readers follow the lives of two generations of masons, monks, aristocrats, kings, queens and bishops. The story is set during a time of civil war and unrest in England, that is known as "The Anarchy." The Pillars of the Earth is historical fiction, set in the fictional town of Kingbridge, drawing from the actual events surrounding the sinking of the "white ship" and the death of Thomas Beckett. The white ship held the King of England, who was without a direct heir, which resulted in decades of war for the throne. It is the death of Thomas Becket that brings about the revelation that royal power is not absolute. We experience the period between these events during the building of an innovative Cathedral, and the corruption that sought to stall it.
Ken Follett desired, for many years, to write a novel around the building of a Cathedral, and now his masterpiece is an 8 episode series. The Pillars of the Earth offers existing fans a visual setting for the story, and for new fans a gripping and enjoyable series. Book fans need to be prepared for a few significant differences in the series, including missing characters, combination of characters, as well as a considerably different ending.
The story essentially follows four families. First, that of Tom Builder (Rufus Sewell), a mason with big dreams of being the head architect of a Cathedral. Tom Builder's wife has suddenly died during childbirth. Unable to care for his other two children, he abandons his new baby boy and he and the children begin traveling with an outcast woman and her son. They eventually make their way to Kingsbridge monastery that has a crumbling church. Through a series of events, he becomes the architect of a new cathedral there. Though his dream is not fulfilled during his lifetime, it is through the life of his stepson Jack Jackson. Jack plays a major roll not only in the innovations and artistry of the cathedral, but in the revelations of a dark corruption.
Secondly there are the Hamleighs, a minor lord's family with a sadistic son William, who aim to advance their status by any means. After multiple rejections and humiliations, William uses severe violence and political maneuverings to further his power. The power he and his family seek? The Earldom of Shiring. William does have a weakness, though. An extreme fear of the burning fires of hell.
The original Earl Bartholomew of Shiring (Donald Sutherland) with his two children, Aliena and Richard, make up our third family. After the Earl is executed for following the wrong side for the throne, it the Hamleigh's vie for his earldom by any means necessary. They underestimate, though, his children. It is Aliena who becomes a major character throughout the story as she does whatever is necessary to restore her father's earldom to her brother.
The fourth family referred to is a "monastic family." Prior Phillip (Matthew Macfadyen of Pride and Prejudice and Death at a Funeral) is the prior of Kingsbridge. He considers himself to be humble, and adheres to a strict monastic code. It is Kingsbridge where the cathedral is to be built. Stopped consistently by politics, a collapse and vicious attack, his leadership ultimately overcomes all. He is a major player in everyone's lives, including that of the abandoned baby of Tom Builder. The baby had been found by Phillip's brother, and brought to be raised in the monastery.
Throughout their lifetimes, all the major characters are affected either directly or indirectly by an incredibly corrupt and power hungry priest/bishop, Waleran Bigod (Ian McShane of Deadwood) He is involved in the mysterious events at the beginning of the story that subject everyone to a lifetime of war, death, arson, violence and greed.
There are a myriad of other enjoyable characters in the story, all of which cannot be touched upon here. The Pillars of the Earth is engaging and entertaining, particularly for those who enjoy this time period. It is the timeless story of good vs. evil, and redemption. Some major differences from the book include the nature of the relationship of William Hamleigh and his mother (in the book it is not incestuous), the time in which certain revelations are brought to light (the abandoned baby of Tom Builder does not learn of his background until he is in adulthood whereas in the movie he learns as a child), and the final fate of Waleran Bigod. Telling his fate from the book or movie would be too much of a spoiler!
Overall, The Pillars of the Earth series is very enjoyable. As with most book to screen adaptations, the book is better.
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