I've made some mild attempts over the past decade at "continuing education" for myself; for example, seeking out movies based on classic literature. Now, it's not the same as reading the book, I know, but it's something my mother and I can do together, and it's given us a familiarity with famous characters and story lines.
Some years ago, we checked out "
Bleak House" (filmed in 1985) from the library. Now, I thought that the title "Bleak House" sounded
exactly like my general impression of Charles Dickens' stories, that is, that they were BLEAK. Orphans, poverty, workhouses, villains, grime, sickness, despair, death . . . So, we were going to watch it simply as a matter of educational discipline. :)
Ah, well, Mr. Dickens had indeed included plenty of "bleakness" in the story (orphans, poverty, villains, sickness, despair, and death), but I think I began to like this story when I discovered that Bleak House wasn't bleak at all, but was a warm, comfortable, loving home opened by a benevolent master to those in need of shelter and sanctuary. I liked and respected the gentle heroine who came to be the housekeeper of Bleak House. And, when it was over, we marveled at how much we enjoyed it.
Then, we were delighted to learn that a new version of "
Bleak House" was scheduled to air shortly (within a matter of weeks, if I remember correctly) on Masterpiece Theatre! And, yes, we liked the new (2005) version, too. So, we had a chance to watch two versions of an immediate favorite back-to-back . . . and the whole thing was such a pleasure to us, that, since then, we've tried to do a little "Bleak House" marathon as annual February event.
We've missed a few times over the years, but last weekend, we finished the first part of this February's marathon (the 1985 version). It was a "just right" weekend for watching "Bleak House" . . . one night, it was pouring rain, and the next, it was overcast and chilling off, but we were safe and warm and comfortable at home.
Even all these years later, the story is still a favorite. I think the "new" version's production values are prettier, crisper, and more luxurious. But, for me, the sober, grainy, 1985 version has a great advantage -- its gentle, composed Esther, who, in the face of death, prays words of Scripture.
Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
1 Peter 3:3-4
