A Script Writer's Story: Hadrian's Memoirs, A Movie Never Made

[Katie-Ellen]

Listening to a Litopia podcast earlier today, about a novel, Memoirs of Hadrian by Margeurite Yourcenar, I wasn't sure if I wanted to read it, though I watched and read I, Claudius, and in general, it's my kind of thing.

Mention was made of John Boorman and a movie of the novel, and Excalibur was something special so I started Googling the Hadrian movie.

But it seems it didn't actually ever happen. Here's a scriptwriter's inside experience:

https://ronbase.wordpress.com/tag/memoirs-of-hadrian/

Housesteads camp on Hadrian's Wall is a place of utter magic. Even if the Romans stationed there thought, perfectly understandably, it was a effing dump as they shivered in their cloaks and trews in the fog and rain.

 

[Alistair Roberts]

Hm, certainly interesting. given in part because I've used this wall in one novel (Merlin and Ceridwen), and the historical facts.

 

[Katie-Ellen]

Is this the novel with Katherine of Aragon in it (Or Catherine, but I prefer the Spanish K which was the spelling used during her life) But I imagine it's another novel and I'm confusing them? She lived 500 years plus later than the mythical? Merlin.

 

[Alistair Roberts]

Interesting, I have that exact same photo somewhere! Although I spelt it with a 'C', it is indeed the right time period for the novel. As for Merlin, he's immortal so and pop up in any time period, and he does

 

[Katie-Ellen]

It's a wiki piccy, commons use classic. Merlin, I suppose can go anywhere. This Merlin story painted me a very frightening world.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Crystal-Cave-Merlin-Trilogy/dp/1444737481

 

[Alistair Roberts]

I see she used his correct original name as well as mentioning the name Geoffrey of Monmouth then gave to him, which lead from Latin to English and finally Merlin. When you've had your named changed so much. wouldn't get get a little 'huffy' and show no mercy for being polite? I sympathise with Merlin, although I paint him as a cantankerous old man, but then it's an act on his part

Edit, um, one should proof read their own words before posting.... ops!

 

[Katie-Ellen]

Oh I don't know: maybe he's Ok with it. All things and people and entities very great have lots of names and styles of address. Many things to many people. Maybe Merlin takes it as a tribute to his legendary stature.

 

[Marc Joan]

It's a wiki piccy, commons use classic. Merlin, I suppose can go anywhere. This Merlin story painted me a very frightening world.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Crystal-Cave-Merlin-Trilogy/dp/1444737481

Oh yes, I remember reading those books when I was a kid; my Mum was a great fan, and I would read whatever was lying around the house, even unto Woman's Weekly. In fact I read the Crystal Cave again very recently. Her style seems slightly dated from today's perspective, but I still think Mary Stewart did a very good treatment of the legends. Some of her other books are worth a read too.

 

[Katie-Ellen]

Mary Stewart Interview of 1999

What did you think about the characterisation of Merlin in Excalibur? Hammed to the nines? Great fun.



PS Alistair, I am forever editing posts because of teeny typos. They hide till it's too late, the little %&@'s

 

[Jennifer Stone]

Listening to a Litopia podcast earlier today, about a novel, Memoirs of Hadrian by Margeurite Yourcenar, I wasn't sure if I wanted to read it, though I watched and read I, Claudius, and in general, it's my kind of thing.

Mention was made of John Boorman and a movie of the novel, and Excalibur was something special so I started Googling the Hadrian movie.

But it seems it didn't actually ever happen. Here's a scriptwriter's inside experience:

https://ronbase.wordpress.com/tag/memoirs-of-hadrian/

Housesteads camp on Hadrian's Wall is a place of utter magic. Even if the Romans stationed there thought, perfectly understandably, it was a effing dump as they shivered in their cloaks and trews in the fog and rain.

Beautiful picture I could live there in a tent quite happily

 

[Alistair Roberts]

I liked that clip from Excalibur, but where was his long grey beard?

 

[Katie-Ellen]

Stylish skullcap, too, eh.

 

[Marc Joan]

Mary Stewart Interview of 1999
s

Interesting interview; I note that she wrote what she wanted rather than 'for the market'. That would be the ideal, wouldn't it, to have a loyal readership that liked what you liked to write.