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The rise of Julien Sorel, from his father's provincial saw-mill to the aristocratic drawing rooms of Paris, is told in Scarlet And Black (BBC 1 Sunday) a story of passion and deceit in 19th century France, dramatised in three episodes from Stendhal's novel. Julien (Ewan McGregor) handsome, sensitive and proud, shares his dreams of glory with his hero and inspiration - the late Napoleon Bonaparte (Christopher Fulford) - who himself rose from a penniless lieutenant to Emperor of France, and now appears with words of encouragement to the young man. Julien realises that power in 1820s France is now to be found, not through the Army (the Red) but the Church (the Black) and he determines to become a priest. But his mentor, Father Chelan (Joseph O'Connor) unsure of the truth of Julien's vocation, suggests he fist becomes tutor in the home of the local mayor, Monsieur De Renal and his wife (Martin Jarvis and Alice Krige). To their mutual surprise, Julien and Madame De Renal embark on a passionate affair, which sows the sees of ultimate tragedy. But such a love is impossible to conceal in a provincial town, full of eavesdropping servants and aspiring bourgeousie. Julien has to move on but as he journeys towards the seductive grandeur of Paris, the words of Napoleon resound in his ear: "Steel yourself softly for power. To arms." |