Alternative England of the early nineteenth century. It was once a land of magicians ruled by the Raven King, a powerful sorcerer. But magic has long been lost, only myths and theories remain. And then suddenly in England there are two sorcerers at once – first the elderly Mr. Norrell, who mastered the magic art, for years leading a hermit lifestyle and studying rare ancient volumes from his giant collection of magical books; and then Jonathan Strange – a young nobleman who suddenly discovered that he has a huge, spontaneous magical power.
It is better to see (or read) yourself. It's worth it. Especially if you like old English literature (as applied to the book) or historical dramas with mysticism and Gothic-decadent atmosphere (as applied to the series). Well, of course, if you are close to English mythology - there are many creatively reworked mythological motifs: elves, magical abductions and substitutions, spells and curses.
The actors are perfect – especially Enzo Cilenti as Childermas (Norrell’s assistant) and Bertie Carvel as Jonathan Strange. And, of course, Mark Warren played a bit of a grotesque but frightening elf.
In addition to the wonderful acting, the series boasts good special effects, the Cold, bluish color scheme creates a mystical feeling of contact with some frightening, perhaps an afterlife mystery, something ghostly.
Well, the meaning of the book is conveyed correctly: a dilemma, a choice between caution and courage, conservatism and progressiveness. What is more important – to artificially limit magic, so that it does minimal good, but does not harm anyone, or most importantly – to open new horizons, despite the risks and difficulties? Don’t wait for an answer.
Result: the perfect adaptation of a unique book. That’s who would learn from the creators of the fashionable “Game of Thrones” – not to simplify, not to twist, not to consider the audience stupid and unable to remember similar names, not to “unite” the characters of the source. They could have done it in the first season! By the way, it is a little frightening that on the MovieSearch "Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrel" is designated as a series not finished. The plot of the novel, the writers have exhausted ... We can only hope that if there is a continuation, it will not slide into heresy and will be worthy of the original source. This is a very difficult task...
10 out of 10
Original