France, during the Middle Ages. Since the nobility is strong and central power is weak, the country is a patchwork of semi-independent little kingdoms. The young count Gaston, nicknamed Phébus (or Apollo), is expected to marry into power and money, preferably of the dynastic kind. Headstrong and passionate, he prefers to marry a sweet-natured village lass called Myriam, to whom, as a child, he made a vow invoking the Virgin Mary. Sadly luck does not smile upon the couple. When at Court, Gaston is noted by a noblewoman used to getting her own way. She likes much about Gaston - his beauty, his lands, his riches - but she does not like his legitimate spouse...
I gather the series is based on a book or a series of books supposedly inspired by real-life historic events. However, it is pretty clear that "Gaston Phébus" was made with a great deal of poetic license, since it contains (among other things) an astrologer actually capable of predicting the future, a pair of lovers in telepathic communion and a tame brown bear, kept as a pet, which can "smell" good or evil intent. While we're at it, the series also believes that good, strong people will automatically have good, strong children, while vice-ridden and decadent dynasties will automatically produce weaklings, poisoners and schemers. This kind of narrative concept may look good on paper, but it does not stand the test of reality.
As a result I would only recommend the series to persons with a romantic nature who like great red-blooded tales about love, treachery and revenge. Within this register, the series certainly delivers - and how.
The series is played completely straight, which was a wise choice since even the slightest hint of irony would have blown the whole enterprise out of the water. The story is told in a slow, stately, mostly linear manner. As a result you don't have to worry overmuch if you miss an episode. Moreover, each episode begins with a helpful little recap.
There's a good evocation of life in and around a castle, complete with games, duels, minstrels, pets and so on. The fights and duels are well choreographed and the costumes are both charming and convincing. However, for one strange reason or another, the make-up or effects people supposed to take care of the wounds and bruises produced a really strange colour of blood. Consequently, some of the most dramatic scenes cause bemusement rather than sorrow or suspense, with the viewer thinking "What's that running over his chest ? Did somebody throw a can of paint at him ?" (Do not try and organise a drinking game around this fact, you'd end up in a terminal coma.)
I gather the series is based on a book or a series of books supposedly inspired by real-life historic events. However, it is pretty clear that "Gaston Phébus" was made with a great deal of poetic license, since it contains (among other things) an astrologer actually capable of predicting the future, a pair of lovers in telepathic communion and a tame brown bear, kept as a pet, which can "smell" good or evil intent. While we're at it, the series also believes that good, strong people will automatically have good, strong children, while vice-ridden and decadent dynasties will automatically produce weaklings, poisoners and schemers. This kind of narrative concept may look good on paper, but it does not stand the test of reality.
As a result I would only recommend the series to persons with a romantic nature who like great red-blooded tales about love, treachery and revenge. Within this register, the series certainly delivers - and how.
The series is played completely straight, which was a wise choice since even the slightest hint of irony would have blown the whole enterprise out of the water. The story is told in a slow, stately, mostly linear manner. As a result you don't have to worry overmuch if you miss an episode. Moreover, each episode begins with a helpful little recap.
There's a good evocation of life in and around a castle, complete with games, duels, minstrels, pets and so on. The fights and duels are well choreographed and the costumes are both charming and convincing. However, for one strange reason or another, the make-up or effects people supposed to take care of the wounds and bruises produced a really strange colour of blood. Consequently, some of the most dramatic scenes cause bemusement rather than sorrow or suspense, with the viewer thinking "What's that running over his chest ? Did somebody throw a can of paint at him ?" (Do not try and organise a drinking game around this fact, you'd end up in a terminal coma.)
