Scarlet and Black (TV series)
| Scarlet and Black | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Genre | Drama |
| Based on | The Red and The Black by Stendhal |
| Written by | Stephen Lowe |
| Directed by | Ben Bolt |
| Starring | |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of series | 1 |
| No. of episodes | originally aired as 3 episodes, but 4 on DVD and VHS release |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) | David Snodin |
| Producer(s) | Rosalind Wolfes |
| Running time | 240 minutes |
| Production company(s) | BBC Television |
| Release | |
| Original network | BBC 1 |
| Picture format | 14:9 |
| Audio format | Stereo |
| Original release | 31 October – 14 November 1993 |
| Chronology | |
| Preceded by | Scarlet and Black (1965 TV serial) |
Scarlet and Black is a British four-part television drama series first aired in 1993 on BBC 1 by the BBC with a cast including Ewan McGregor and Rachel Weisz. The series was adapted by Stephen Lowe from the novel The Red and the Black (1830) by French writer Stendhal. The story follows an ambitious, but impoverished young man, who seduces women of high social standing in order to improve his prospects; an Icarus of the post-Napoleonic era.
The series is a faithful adaptation of the Classic novel Le Rouge et le Noir and is condensed into four episodes, each 50 minutes in length. A notable addition to the plot is the figure of Napoleon, which the protagonist, Julien Sorel, envisages during the main turning points of the story. Napoleon represents Julien's ambition in the serial, he compares himself with the French hero, seeing himself as an extraordinary individual.
In the provincial town of Verrières, Julien Sorel (Ewan McGregor) a carpenter's son who is destined for the church is headhunted by the middle-class families of the town to act as tutor to their offspring.
Julien leaves behind his poor and uncouth father and brothers to take a position negotiated by the Abbé Chénal as tutor to local Mayor M. de Rênal's three sons. Julien impresses Madame de Rênal with his gentle nature and sense of fun when dealing with his young charges.
Julien is asked to illustrate his astounding power of memory by quoting passages from the Bible in Latin at a dinner hosted by the conceited M. de Rénal, who revels in showing-off to various local dignitaries the latest addition to his household.
A love affair begins between Madame de Rênal and Julien. Madame de Rênal, a pious woman, is torn between her passion for Julien and religious guilt. The apparition of Napoleon to Julien signifies Julien's relentless ambition as a romantic hero, and encourages the conquest.
During a visit by the King of France, Madame de Rênal arranges for Julien to appear in the parade as one of the military guard on horseback. Julien relishes the role, galloping back to change into his cassock in order to be part of the religious procession for the King's visit to the local church. The switching from the scarlet of the military uniform and the black cassock of the church indicates Julien's personal battle between truth and hypocrisy, his humble beginnings and the upper classes.
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