The Theatre (short) version DVD was given away free with the Guardian or Observer newspaper about a year ago,

I've got a copy in my in-law's garage in a wee stack of such freebies, including a truly ghastly version of Handful of Dust (Sturridge, 2003). Must dig them out next time I'm over there, HoD notwithstanding. I'm a great fan of Evelyn Waugh, but there is a tendency for over-acted po-faced adaptations which no way reflect the dynamics of the narratives. Brideshead Revisited is one of the most exquisite novels ever written, but the TV adaptation I find relentlessly turgid and ultimately unwatchable. The exception here is Vile Bodies, adapted by Stephen Fry as Bright Young Things (also in 2003). I suppose he had half the work already done for him here as Waugh wrote Vile Bodies very much in the manner of a movie treatment, with short snappy scenes driving the narrative along at a rare old pace. It's a joy to watch - not least for the delightful Fenella Woolgar. My only complaint is that the fictional war wrote of by Waugh in 1930 is not, of course, the 1939-45 war, though that's the impression given in the film with its use of WW2 radio clips which throws the thing into something of an anachronistic turmoil. Still worth watching though. Better still - read the book, though you won't get the lovely Fenella...

Talking of books, anyone here read The Wicker Man novels? The first is David Pinner's Ritual from 1967 from which TWM took it's initial inspiration. I haven't read it myself, nor even seen a copy - though there's a copy going on Amazon.com for a less than tempting $386.26! The second is Robin Hardy's novelisation of the film which I once tried to read but soon gave up on. Like remakes, Film Novelisations never work...

I am prepared to be contradicted here; as my Penguin Flu moves into its 4th week it has shifted into its most nasty phase so far, miring me with mucus, giddy deliriums and quite vivid dreams (last night I dreamt of both Peter Bellamy and Ian Curtis) - so I am in need of distraction & diversion. Where better to turn at such times than Mudcat?