Charles II

[chocolate]

Another thing I did not mention above regarding the movie and Rufus not being awarded. It is a sad truth, but in that world, like in almost anything else, just the quality and the talent are never enough. The subject is way too sensitive. Nobody from the critics to the production companies would risk to state their opinion in such a demonstrative way. It is the same with the Oskars. Stupid comparison, but what can I say, politics rules!
It would have been a very good point for Rufus to have a BAFTA award for his Charles, but I think for now he does most of his magic for the viewers and for himself.

[megagem]

Chocolate! What a beautiful review!!!! I loved reading it, and I agree with everything you said. Charles II will always be a favourite of mine and the wording you used to express who he was captured his essence completely. Fantastic!

I know it's been mentioned in the past that Rufus doesn't come on here, but it's things like this that make me hope that on the odd occasion that he does. What a boost for his self-esteem and his work!

[chocolate]

Thank you, megagem, for your kind words!

I rarely use my moments of emotional clarity to express myself in such a wordy way, but this time what I felt watching the films was just too powerful to stay locked inside of me.

I actually am happy that Rufus does not visit our board, because if he were I would had felt quite uncomfortable knowing he could read my emotions so easily. A nickname doesn't always protect ones soul identity that well. And I also don’t think that he needs to hear from me how much I appreciate his work. I feel that he knows exactly how good he actually is; you can sense it in the way he acts and the details and emotions he implements in his characters. After all I and all of us here, we love and cherish him and we would always see only the best in him. (here comes fzen's thoughts on the fact that in a way he always will be our "baby boy")

I wanted to share my thoughts with all of you, and hopefully with all the guests that come here to search for information about Rufus and his films. I remember not long ago I was reading from time to time some of the threads before officially joining the team. My only wish, writing so much and expressing myself in that way, would be the film industry to stop the horses for a little bit, to think what kind of movies we as people DO need to see, and to go back to the quality and virtues that once the films were made to convey. The same virtues that Rufufs trys to keep alive in his work.

[robela]

Thank you Chocolate for your wise words on Charles II. Watching this mini-series on television around 2004 was the first time I realised quite how talented and stunningly handsome Rufus is. I had seen Middlemarch and liked him in that but when I saw Charles II I was mesmerised.
I think it was because I had read so many historical novels relating to the monarchy and especially read about the extravagant and excessive lifestyle of the king and that he was loved by the people because he brought the good times and the fun and frolic back to England after Cromwell's strict regime. Charles II wasn't a handsome man in real life, but his lifestyle lead everyone to think of him as handsome. When I saw Rufus in the part it seemed so real to me. He epitomized Charles II and yes, he did deserve at least a BAFTA nomination for such an outstanding portrayal of one of our most well loved and respected kings.
I am now watching the series again having last night watched the first cd and am gaining more from his wonderful performance.

[kissmekate]

Thanks for your insightful review, chocolate! This was truly excellent work by our dear Rufus, and although I knew hardly anything about Charles II before (just the odd snippet hinted at in some historical fiction I read very long ago) I was totally riveted both by the politics and his private life, haunted by his father's ghost - there were many moments that made it seem like he was constantly trying to make his dead father proud ...

[robela]

Watched episode 4 and the Making Of last night!

That series must make Rufus very proud! It is wonderful.

To me it stands out as an exceptional series!!

All the acting is superb, the sets are superb, it is based on fact, as far as can be done!! Rufus' performance is awe inspiring!!

[Petruchio - Good God]

Will see Charlie this evening again.... can't wait !!!

[Petruchio - Good God]

Jan 22, 2012 21:01:51 GMT anglophile said:

www.rupert-graves.com/vista/charles/ and www.rupert-graves.com/vista/charlesmo/

thx you very much again to anglo for finding the link...

maybe few of you have problem with the pics... so ... they're very small but better nothing ...

[megagem]

Thanks for finding the pics, Anglo!

[kernowsqueen]

Well I have completely enjoyed 'Charles II' and although I'm not all that keen on the historical King Charles II I did enjoy this thoughtful work. Four out of Four Crowns score here!

I enjoyed Rufus' depiction of Charles not only as the 'pretty witty king' but also as the thoughless and often foolish monarch - at least to 21st century eyes...

As usual he was delightful and quite believable in his potrayal and I went from sympathy to contempt to enchantment to shock to delight with this.

Oddly enough the version that most Americans will have access to was edited when shown -(about an hour was cut away) I suppose because many American's are thought to enjoy explosions far more than viewing the occasional mostly naked woman...LOL

kq

[judypatooty]

True, true, KQ!

And thus is explained the explosion in the purchase of region-free DVD players amongst Rufus Sewell fans. We want to see the performance as it was originally intended. Not as our Puritan forbears would have preferred.

[voiceover]

Having lived with RS since as far back as Dirty Weekend and being fully appreciative of his talent, Charles ranks top of my list with TOTS and Sachem - which I love because it helped me laugh at myself when struggling to mind elderly relatives. So thanks to all who have posted their thoughts on this board. I have loved sharing your thoughts - all brilliant and worth reading. More such please.

[GreenEyesToo]

A comment on Twitter today made me realise we haven't got the link to the BBC's press pack for this, so for anyone new to Rufusdom who hasn't seen Charles II yet (and why not???! ), here it is: www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2003/10_october/23/charles_ii.pdf

And on the press release page, I love the comments about Rufus from the producer and screenwriter:

"And within this world, what we wanted was somebody who could completely dominate the screen," says Harwood.

"You should be left in no doubt as to who was king. Rufus has that presence. He also has charisma, physical energy and a gentleness which made him perfect as Charles. He is powerfully good looking but sensual, sexy and vulnerable with it."

"Charles was an extraordinarily charming, good-humoured and tolerant man, who was one thing to his women and another to his ministers," adds Hodges.

"He was multi-faceted. Rufus not only looks like him, but has this great ability in his acting to show charm, humour and generosity of spirit. He can convey the complexity of the character as well as warmth. He is also very sexy, which is what Charles was," says Hodges.
www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2003/10_october/23/charles_ii.shtml



Ooh, another viewing's due, methinks....

[ginny]

Thanks for the link. I'm one of those who hadn't read it yet but I did see Charles II at some point. (and I'm still figuring out if we were graced with the long or the short version over here). I do know that I spend the first episode ogling over the truck load of lace that was on display.

[walt]

Thanks a lot for the link GE2 - I'm not completely new on the RT and I've seen Charles II several times, but this was new to me, I just wonder why....