James Purefoy stars as the influential dandy Beau Brummell. What are your reactions?
Send us your comments using the form on the right and we will publish a selection below.
Comments
It was beautifully acted but seemed to start half way through. What a shame we didn't see anything of the earlier part of Beau Brummell's story - how he came to meet and to influence the Prince Regent so much.
Hilary J, Kent
A delight - for sure the academics can find fault, but I thoroughly enjoyed being immersed in this slice of Regency docu-drama.
Ashley Jenkins, Southampton
A very entertaining production, the music and costumes added to the period feel and rich atmosphere. James Purefoy was thoroughly charming and devious in the starring role and was supported by a very strong cast, especially Phil Davies. I would have liked to know why Brummell decided to wear trousers and forego the wig and make-up. Also I was surprised that a female producer had chosen to feature so few women in this production. Despite this, it was well directed, acted and written.
Lynne, Portsmouth
I thought this was a good production which invoked a fair sense of time and place, although I could not see how the guy who played Byron could ever fill his boots. Byron was very good looking. James played Beau with his usual efficient flair.
Keith Warwick, Cambridge
Too contrived and self-consciously arty. Having said that I couldn't help but watch until the end. I abhorred Matthew Rhys's portrayal of Byron: I did not see any resemblance to the man I am studying.
Sue de-Rozarieux, Essex
What a gem. As ideas of identity, authenticity, surface and function emerged in this deeply funny and perfectly measured production I had to pinch myself.
LC, London
The acting and many of the production values were excellent, with particular praise going to Phil Davis as Brummell's manservant, and Hugh Bonneville as an excellent Prince Regent. However, this was a film that should have striven for greater authenticity in its costume details - Brummell after all was valued for his perfect appearance. To take one glaring instance of inaccuracy - in the first shot we see Brummell dressing, putting his shirt on like a jacket. Shirts were not made in this way until the late 19th/early 20th century. The BBC has a long and distinguished history of making good costume dramas, so why do they continue to make such blunders?
Gillian Stapleton, Helmsley
You are wrong about the shirt in this instance. Brummell had his shirts made in this particular way. I should know, I've seen the order book at his shirtmakers in St. James'. The only thing wrong with his shirts in the programme was that the collar was not high enough - Brummell's collars were over a foot high and then folded down to be covered with his stock. But, frankly, this is nitpicking over what was an elegant and fresh look at the dandy's life.
Tom Hardy, London
I was really heartened to see a superbly-written, well-acted and beautifully shot little dramatisation of the escapades of a fascinating historical figure.
Kim Morgan, London
Disappointed. This adaptation took a phenomenon and portrayed it as a sordid little tale.
Melinda Hammond, Todmorden
Am I in a minority? To me this was tosh, rendered ludicrous by such instances as the blue plaque on the building behind the rather nasty attack upon the fops - blue plaques did not come in until 1867 - Brummel died in 1840. Interestingly, the first plaque was for Byron. Was there evidence that the two of them were such good pals?
Peter Taylor, London
Find out more about Beau Brummell: This Charming Man
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