Ian McShane is particularly noteworthy in his turn as Bishop Waleran. The acting is generally strong, with most of the false notes coming from scenes that are too rushed to allow the interactions to feel natural. There is little time for subtlety or finesse as the plot is hurried along. Many scenes are barely set before a character is thrust unceremoniously onstage to deliver a hasty bit of dialogue and then hustled off. The book is one for those who don’t mind history and architecture, and getting into the details of a contested succession, and the anatomy of a cathedral, though there is certainly no shortage of action.Įven as a miniseries rather than a movie, The Pillars of the Earth is overflowing and a bit frenetic, struggling to cram in the fifty years of events covered in Follett’s novel.
Follett tells his story simply, but carefully, so that the myriad disconnected events slowly fit together into a complex narrative with a sweeping scope.
The war of succession between Stephen of Blois and the Empress Maud forms the context of the story, as law and order crumble, leaving ample room for local power skirmishes with little hope of intervention by the Crown. Ken Follett fits his tale into the cracks of history, referencing known events and famous figures, but setting the story at a fictional priory, and focusing on a broad cast of invented characters. The deal offers Philip the chance to reform Kingsbridge Priory and rebuild its crumbling cathedral, but his every move is dogged by his mistrust of Waleran, and the political ambitions of the new Earl of Shiring. When a visit from his brother sends Philip stumbling into the complex rivalry of church and state in twelfth century England, a devil’s bargain with Waleran Bigod, an ambitious aid to the Bishop of Kingsbridge sees Philip unexpectedly elevated to Prior of Kingsbridge.
In only three years, Philip has reformed the cell and made its farm profitable. John-in-the-Forest, a small outpost of Kingsbridge Priory. Philip of Gwynnyd is the young head of a cell of monks at St. Tom Builder is a master mason who dreams of building a grand cathedral, but must mostly be content to build stone houses for minor lords, and teach his son, Alfred, his trade. “His aim was the glory of God, but the glory of Philip pleased him too.”
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