Folklore: Fab Female Heroines (and Anti-Heroines)

Subject: Folklore: Fab Female Heroines (and Anti-Heroines)
From: Crow Sister (off with the fairies)
Date: 28 Sep 09 - 03:09 PM

It was my genuine disappointment in the role call found in Radio Times list of Kick-Ass Heroines of the Small and Big Screen which made me create this thread.

Not because I hate sexy or beautiful women on the big screen, but because I thoroughly Love a genuinely kick-ass heroine (especially those - though not exclusively - as depicted in sci-fi & fantasy).

Some of those in RT's list are worthy of the appellation: Ripley, Trinity, Sarah Connor for example, are all top big-screen kick-ass heroines - and in no small part due to the charisma and balls of the actresses portraying them. But too many of the others listed are IMHO Z class wannabe's. Poo! Why do top punchy female heroines so often get landed with wimpy charisma-less actresses!?

Anyway, I thought I'd throw open this thread as a celebration of the heroine or indeed anti-heroine in popular culture.
Who are your favourite heroines/anti-heroines, why do you love them, and who would you get to play them?
My favourites on the big screen are as listed above. Though I might find others later.

Otherwise:
Thackeray's capable, amoral and eternally resourceful Becky Sharp - from Vanity Fair.
Rebecca from Millers Crucible, for her feral ruthlessness and fiercely rebellious spirit.
Trecks Seven of Nine, love that perfect sexual self-assuredness combined with cool self-containment.

B list? Never did get much of a thing for Bronte's heartless Kathy, preferred masochistic Jane Ayre. Acerbic wit prize goes to Austen's socially cutting Elizabeth Bennet.

I'm sure there will be others.
What about yours?

Subject: RE: Folklore: Fab Female Heroines (and Anti-Heroin
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 28 Sep 09 - 04:08 PM

ALREADY BEEN DONE LIST
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie - Maggie Smith perfect casting
Elizabeth - Kate Blanchett - pretty damn good casting
Galdriel Lord of the Rings - Kate Blanchett


WISH THEY WOULD DO LIST

I would like to see a film about the Eleanor of Aquitaine in the Margaret Mead pseudo history. Casting about for and actress. Ahhh - Juliette Binoche.

While we are at it let's have Hildegard of Bingen played by Emma Thompson.

There is an amazing historical fantasy cum science fiction called Ash, by Mary Gentle, lead character Ash to be played by hhmmm maybe Audrey Tatou.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Fab Female Heroines (and Anti-Heroines)
From: GUEST, topsie
Date: 28 Sep 09 - 05:13 PM

My favourite is Terry Pratchett's Susan.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Fab Female Heroines (and Anti-Heroines)
From: Crow Sister (off with the fairies)
Date: 28 Sep 09 - 05:17 PM

Topsie (and others to this thread) do say why? Never read any Pratchett.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Fab Female Heroines (and Anti-Heroines)
From: GUEST, topsie
Date: 28 Sep 09 - 05:43 PM

She is calm, confident and capable, no 'feminine' foibles or faffing about.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Fab Female Heroines (and Anti-Heroines)
From: GUEST, topsie
Date: 28 Sep 09 - 06:26 PM

Susan is played by

Michelle Dockery in Terry Pratchett's 'The Hogfather'

Subject: RE: Folklore: Fab Female Heroines (and Anti-Heroin
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 29 Sep 09 - 02:57 AM

and brilliantly played too, Topsie.

Susan is the grand daughter of Death, the Death, grim reaper with lovely human vulnerability about him. Susan is utterly unflappable and in Hogfather is set on mission to stop the inhuming (assassination) of the Hogfather (a Santa like character).

Crow Sister

I highly recommend reading the Disc World Series. You will laugh until you cry.