DARK SHADOWS FORUMS
General Discussions => Current Talk Archive => Current Talk '25 I => Current Talk '03 II => Topic started by: Mysterious Benefactor on October 08, 2003, 04:10:07 PM
-
Barnabas' character evolved quite a bit over the years. So, the question is: which version do you find the most fascinating?
-
The Barnabas character just had so much pathos, emotional resonance, creepiness and evil when he was originally introduced. The fact that he was lonely and vulnerable in spite of his bad deeds makes him so interesting and compulsively watchable. There is just so much going on with him on so many levels in the 1967 storyline. You never know what he's going to do next!
I know that JF has said he was flying by the seat of his pants early on and sometimes it shows. Obviously he was a lot more comfortable with the character by the later storylines. But that nervousness and hesitancy actually worked in his favor. When I go back and watch those earliest episodes, he blows me away! It's also so interesting that he (and the writers) introduced with this character a new horror archetype: the reluctant vampire.
One of the best villains of the small or the big screen - hands down!
-
This was such a hard question to answer. I agree so much with Cassandra Blair but had to go with the tragic newly cursed Barnabas. He gave insight into why Barnabas should be pitied rather than condemned outright. He transforms from a decent man who cared about Ben and Vicki Winters to the quick descent into the selfish, evil vampire. Of course, this lets the show continue as we watch Barnabas' character slowly become rehabilitated.
-
The 1795 Barnabas showed to me Barnabas' character before falling victim to the curse.
The story of 1795 tells how Barnabas managed to anger Angelique for her to place such a dreadful consequence upon the one person she supposedly loved.
Sarah's [ghost]
:-* :P ::) :o :P :-*
-
1795 was my favorite year. It gave us the backround story. I loved their costumes, the scenery, the characters, everything was just great. But Barnabas you have to remember one thing...."Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned". But then we wouldn't be here talking about Barnabas and Angelique, now would we? [dancing_skeletons]
-
My favorite Barnabas is the 1967 cousin from England. ;) Hating what he is, longing for his lost love, Josette. I like to watch those early scenes with him describing how beautiful the Old House was. 8)
-
For me, definitely 1795/96. Watching him deal with his new - ahem - "condition" while fighting to retain what was left of his humanity and decency was utterly spellbinding.
Gerard
-
I have to vote for when he first came on the scene. He was compelling to watch. Fastinating in the tortured vampire and yet so very willing to take what he wants.
Birdie
-
I'm with CassandraBlair, Maria_Merriweather, and Birdie, I feel the 1967 episodes were some of the finest work we see Frid do on the show. I'm a fan of b&w, so that is another reason I'm partial to those episodes. :D
-
I also agree that the 1967 Barnabas was the best.
Tanis
-
Most fascinating to watch for me is Barn67 when he first arrives on the scene.
-
My favorite Barnabas is the 1967 cousin from England. ;) Hating what he is, longing for his lost love, Josette. I like to watch those early scenes with him describing how beautiful the Old House was. 8)
I agree with M.M. I really enjoyed seeing the new vampire on the scene and it was haunting to see and hear how much he longed for his long lost lost. One of my favorites was when he was telling the story of Josette to Vicky & Carolyn in the drawing room at Collinwood. It was both chilling and sad to hear the story of her death.
Another reason for liking this Barnabas was getting to see how he and Julia became such good friends. They sort of started out as enemies at first with him ready to kill her. It was great to see how their relationship had evolved over the years and how he became to rely on her friendship.
Cassandra
-
:o Although I adored the Barnabas character when he first was set free, I cried for him when he was cursed in 1795. Needless to say 1795 was my very favorite storyline. He hated what he was and Frid's portrayal, I thought, was just fabulous.
Misty ::)
-
Based on the DVD's that I recently purchased, I think the 1795 Barnabas was the best. :)
-
Having just watched it, I'll say BRAMWELL Collins.
So much 'Heathcliff'; but JFrid shows anger peppered with envy; lonliness and selfishness.
I think JFrid was so happy to do anything else, he really immersed himself into Bramwell. (I tend to wonder if by 1841PT, the actors knew it was over.)
Patti
-
I prefer the Barnabas of 1967. I also liked Barnabas in the 1795 storyline. He was at his most interesting in those two storylines, IMHO.
-
Well, the results are in, and it looks like 1967 Barnabas rates as the most fascinating with just over half the votes.
Thanks to everyone who took the time to vote and express their opinions. [smlyg]
-
Barnabas' character evolved quite a bit over the years. So, the question is: which version do you find the most fascinating?
This one's a gimme. Don't even have to pause to think. My favorite Barnabas was the 1967, when he was still new, still evil, still complex, still having FANGS that he would use, or threaten with. And the glare in his eye, lest anyone discover his big fat lie. Or the intolerance with which he would view his most faithful of servants. In those early days, the whole cast, including JF, threw themselves into the part they were playing. It all seems so real to me, sometimes, when I'm watching it, because they believed it. Or they seemed to. Barn was more a complex evil than a pure evil. He had goodness inside of him...somewhere, but I always prefer it when he doesn't expose that part! I prefer the cruelty. It's far more provocative, I think.
;)
Regards,
Maine Girl
-
I have to say 1795 is my favorite with 1967 being second. I was absolutely spellbound by his brilliant performance when his character first discovers that he is one of the 'living dead'. The lighting for the scene showed off to the best effect his remarkable face that was changing from the puzzlement of it all to the slow realization of what he had become.
-
I agree with most of you folks. Intro to Barnabas and 1795 are my fav Barnabas favorites. It's interesting that I've read JF tell how bad he was in the beginning and how difficult it was for him to memorize his lines. I think that scene when he shows up at Collinwood as the "cousin from England" should be classic TV. I loved how both JF and Clarice Blackburn played it. JF originally gave Barnabas a sort of debonair assurance he lost a bit in 1795. I guess his interpretation of the role changed somewhat as he went along.
1795 though just reveals unbelievable stuff in Frid. At his best his readings to both Angelique and Josette were often poetic. I also think he was terrific with Ben Stokes (example when Barnabas asked Ben to reveal who the witch was in the dust, A for Angelique or V for Vicktoria). And just after he became a vampire especially his groan at Jeremiah's tombstone and when he told Ben he had some "strange and remarkable powers" were powerful indeed. Yeau, JF often forgot his lines but he's a joy to behold when his stuff is together.