Television: 'Three Men In A Boat' (1975)

This was lovely. A real treat. A production that wouldn't even be considered now, for all its simplicity, wit and charm. As an adaptation of a book in which not an awful lot happens but in a funny way, it fits its remit remarkably. Directed by Stephen Frears (a legendary name I know nothing about), adapted by Tom Stoppard (ditto), and starring Tim Curry, Michael Palin and Stephen Moore, this is a wonderful and utterly silly achievement. Ah, the wonderful Stephen Moore, the greatly underrated marvel of a man himself. You can't help but love him, whether he's voicing Marvin the Paranoid Android in the original 'Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy' radio series, wandering about indecisively in the movie 'Clockwise' or hanging endlessly about on children's television in the nineteen eighties and nineties. He's just one of those guys. A treasure.

Adapting Jerome K Jerome's 'Three Men In A Boat' would seem to be a doomed exercise in many ways. It's legendary status as one of the great comedic written works stands in the way, inviting failure. There were many attempts to do the deed, though, some highly regarded. The 1950s film might be good. This one does its very best to adhere to the style of the novel, while abridging it internally by having those scoundrels George and Harris, Moore and Palin respectively, forestall Jerome's tangential stories before they even begin. It's just as well, as the highly relaxed atmosphere might become soporific given a running time any longer than its sixty-five minutes.

Watching 'Three Men In A Boat' was just as relaxing as the journey down the Thames seemed to be, until the very rain-soaked climax. You could become almost entranced by the experience, except of course for Harris, and even become oblivious to George's blazer in a blissful reverie. Yes, it is like being in a reverie at times. In fact, it's difficult not to become rather meditative again, having watched it so recently (within the last two hours) for the first time. It's good to see Harris completely confusing a trailing crowd in Hampton Court Maze, and George strumming his banjo innocently. The only negative to pick out is that Tim Curry's Jerome seems a little incongruous or ill-fitting. In all fairness, that may be a retroactive effect after knowing of his efforts in other movies and television shows, or a side-effect of him playing the narrating character. At least the narration is partially explained by Jerome actually trying to narrate to George and Harris at several points, and being told to be quiet.

If you liked the novel, then you will probably like this show. It was wonderful, and only the better for knowing the source material. If you didn't like the novel, then the Quirky Muffin shall know. You will be dealt with. Ready the tin of pineapple, readers! (Oh, how could I have not mentioned the tin of pineapple? Classical comedy!)

O.