"Vanity Fair on TV" Topic

I'm surprised there have been no comments regarding the recent series 'Vanity Fair' on TV. This weeks episode featured a couple of excellent battle scenes from Waterloo and plenty of Napoleonic uniforms. I quite enjoyed it – It's on ITV catch up if you haven't seen it and it is this weeks episode that features the action, although some of the other episdoes are worth watching just for Martin Clunes comedy acting.

Thought the Waterloo episode was well done for a TV production where the battle is only an incidental part of the story line.

Ignoring the fictitious personalities and the French dragoons charging through the wood bit, over all the look and feel was well done I thought.

Some little niggles but as per usual made for the populous not the historical gamer. Certainly looked like a battle to me!

It was discussed earlier, but not the latest episode.

The Dragoons attack stretched history a bit and we won't mention the Pre Bardin coats. Dramatic and some impressive stunt riding.

Waterloo was very impressive for a TV show. The effect of artillery (OK all explosions, no round shot) on a line of humans was striking. The cavalry attack on squares was great, until the Cuirassiers proceeded to attack on foot. Brave men!

The final attack of the Imperial Guard Grenadiers was the best. The CGI did show through, but the line firing into their ranks was better than anything Bondarachuk managed.

The Captain in Household cavalry, married to Becky, now sports a new uniform (all of which are really well done). Looks more like Heavy Line Dragoons. Is this explained and I missed summat?

The worst feature was the general with the tache. Hopeless characterisation and his appearance straight out of a G and S operetta.

There is a thread on the Media board.

I did think dismounted cuirassiers continuing to attack the infantry with sabres on foot was a bit silly.

I agree with all the comments. There were moments which were a sacrifice to TV drama but overall, I thought it really well done (better than most battle scenes in Sharpe). I particularly liked the little touches that showed that someone had gone to some lengths. The pioneer up front, the colours escorted by sergeants with pikes, no one swinging their arms on the march, a battalion that looked like a battalion and not 50 men and a flag, etc. There were niggles like the squares too close together, all the cannon balls exploding, an editing that made it look like the British artillery were shelling their own squares, La Garde in full dress, etc. But all in all, a so much better effort than many cinematic ones climaxing with an excellent portrayal of the Guard's last attack. I was impressed.

It's a bit irritating that Becky's husband doesn't appear to have any civilian clothes. He wears uniform everywhere he goes, all the time – including his heavy cavalry helmet. Surely an officer would wear civilian clothes when in town or "visiting"?

DBDD

I can see him wearing his uniform after the battle as in 'look, I am a Waterloo hero' but four years later and having 'sold up' (apparently) it does not seem likely. Also, if he sold his commission as a colonel in the Lifeguards, it would be worth thousands and Becky would not be so desperate for money (assuming it was a regimental rank).

Yeah I thought that. Presumably Thackeray didn't want it to get in the way of the story!