Henry James has always been a tough nut for adapters to crack (and for audiences to appreciate), but this 1974 series derived from his novels and short stories nicely captures the flavor of his work, even in highly distilled form. Scripted by Terence Feely for British television, the seven 50-minute episodes here include versions of two of James' best-known novels—Washington Square and The Wings of the Dove—as well as five tales (most notably The Aspern Papers), all inventively focusing on romantic entanglements (frequently involving social calculation and fortune-hunting). Starring some familiar Brit thespians (including Diana Rigg, Jeremy Brett, Ian Ogilvy, and Patricia Routledge), these treatments are essentially reduced to conversation pieces set in drawing rooms and country houses, but the dialogue is both unfailingly sharp and tossed off with gusto. And even though the effect is stagy, the artificiality actually suits the material, giving the lighter moments an Oscar Wilde-like touch that seems oddly appropriate. Apart from Washington Square, which was the basis of two fine film adaptations (William Wyler's 1949 The Heiress and Agnieszka Holland's 1997 Washington Square), none of these works have received better treatment cinematically. DVD extras include cast filmographies and a biography of James. Highly recommended. (F. Swietek)
Affairs of the Heart: Series One
Acorn, 2 discs, 351 min., not rated, DVD: $39.99 March 2, 2009
Affairs of the Heart: Series One
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