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I may be one of the world' biggest fans of Diana Gabaldan and her "Outlander Series." I have read all 8 books in this collection and have read the first 4 books at least 4 times over the years. These books are not "chick lit books," as I know many men who are just as enthralled by them as I am. So to say that I was thrilled, at the very least, to know that the series, parts one and two, are now available on CD and on Amazon video, is an understatement. I viewed both seasons in 2 days. I was and am WOWED!!! If I could give this series a 10 star rating I would do so, rather then be limited to 5 stars.
In season 1 of the "Outlander," (as in book one of the same title), the story begins right after WWII in Scotland. Claire Beecham Randall was a combat nurse in the World War II and served in the battlefields of France, particularly at a field hospital in Amiens. By 1943 she was a senior nurse, supervising junior nurses and orderlies. Her husband, Frank Randall, was in army intelligence as an officer with MI6 and served, primarily, in London, doing important government work. The couple spent a very brief time together before the war intruded on their lives. During the early years of their marriage, Claire worked as a nurse and Frank was a historian at Oxford and a member of the junior faculty there.
As the story opens, both in the novel and the TV series, we find Claire and Frank on a 2nd honeymoon of sorts. They are visiting Inverness, Scotland. The terrible war is over and Claire and Frank, reunited, decide to go on a second honeymoon in Scotland to reestablish their marriage, their relationship. It is 1945. The couple stays at a charming bed-and-breakfast in Inverness, a city in the Scottish Highlands situated near an ancient stone circle called Craigh na Dun. One morning, while collecting plant samples at the stone circle, Claire falls through the cleft in the main stone and is transported back in time to 1743. Upon moving away from the stone circle, Claire immediately runs into a battle between a group of local Highlanders, and British officers led by the sadistic Jonathan Wolverton Randall. Randall, who demonstrates an amazing physical similarity to his six-times great-grandson Frank, assaults Claire, but she is rescued by Murtagh Fitzgibbons Fraser, one of the Highlanders, who are cattle-raiding in the area. Clair, a very strong and clever woman, who has had to think quickly and to improvise as a war nurse, recognizes, after a few hours, that she is a long way and time from 1945 Inverness. Although in shock and frightened, she uses her medical training to help the injured Scotsman Jamie Fraser, a handsome young man, about 4 years younger than Claire. Claire's medical skills earn her a place at Castle Leoch, seat of the MacKenzie clan. Laird Colum MacKenzie is Jamie's uncle and learns of Claire's extraordinary healing skills. He makes her the official healer of Leoch, and a guest, but she is a veritable prisoner there. Clan members and leaders alike believe that she is a British spy. And Claire feels hopeless as she is not able to travel to the stones to try to return to her own time. Claire and Jamie grow close. While not divulging her time travel secret, she is able to talk easily with him. And then there is the fact that the braw highlander is not only a treat for for the eyes, but he is gentle, kind, an exceptional warrior, and has a great sense of humor. He also has an education provided by an excellent tutor when he was a lad. The two, despite the centuries which separate them, find much in common.
I do not want to provide any "spoilers" to those who are not familiar with the wonderful historical novel. There are some changes in the film, although the script stays close to the book's narrative. Let it suffice to write that the novel "Outlander" has provided me with an outstanding reading experience and still does. But the film version touched me more. The characters are perfectly cast. Jamie, played by Sam Heughan, is ideal for the part. A large, handsome and muscular man, everything he feels towards Claire: tenderness, friendship, lust, love, shows in his eyes, which are a beautiful blue. One can see that he is attracted to Claire almost immediately from the start of the film. In the beginning, there is a scene when the clan members who "saved" her from the "Lobster Backs," has Claire tending Jamie's wounds. She begins to cry. She is no ninny, by any means, but the events of the last few days have totally overwhelmed her. As Jamie holds her and comforts her the look in his eyes says that there might be something more here than just a sexual attraction. I find Jamie/Sam Heughan to be a kinder, more expressive hero in the film that in the book - and I am very surprised by this. Claire, is played to perfection by Caitriona Balfe. The actress's Claire is beautiful, feisty, strong, wise in the ways of the world, even if the world she is visiting is not her own. Ms. Balfe truly makes this story her own and does so in a most captivating manner. Tobias Menzies plays two different roles here, as Frank Randall, Claire's loving husband, and also as Frank's sadistic ancestor. Mr. Menzies role is very difficult as he has to play characters of opposite temperaments, sometimes in a single day of filming. Gary Lewis is an extremely wise & savvy Laird of the MacKenzie clan, although he is crippled and his brother, Dougal MacKenzie, (Graham McTavish ), must stand in for him as War Chief and as collector of the clan's rents. Dougal is an extremely strong and fascinating character. There is also much comic relief here - Anghus Mhor, (Stephen Walters) and Rupert MacKenzie, (Grant O'Rourke) are very funny macho man who, unhappily, perform their task of keeping an eye on Claire. Dear to my heart is the gruff Murtagh Fraser, (Duncan Lacroix), who is Jaimie's godfather. He obviously loves the young man dearly, in his own taciturn way. The rest of the supporting cast is excellent. I was taken back in time and fell in love, or hate, with many characters.
The 1st season of "Outlander" is made up of 16 episodes, one more enthralling than the next. Producers Ronald D. Moore, Jim Kohlberg, and David Brown did a wonderful job bringing this story to life.
Again, I feel a bit strange saying that I enjoyed the film more than the extraordinary book. Call me crazy. 10 Big STARS!!!
JANA
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From the manufacturer
Outlander
An English combat nurse from 1945 is mysteriously swept back in time to 1743.
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Craigh na Dun. |
Jamie. |
Claire and Jamie. |
Claire and Frank. |
Doune Castle
Some Outlander Trivia
Sky Boat Song:
The song playing in the opening credits uses the melody of the Skye Boat Song, a song that describes the escape of Bonnie Prince Charlie from Uist to Skye after his defeat in the Battle of Culloden. Composer Bear McCreary adapted Robert Louis Stevenson's poem Sing Me A Song of Lad that is Gone to fit with Claire's time traveling journey.
Doune Castle
Doune Castle was used as Castle Leoch. The castle is famous for being featured in Monty Python and the Holy Grail. It was also used as Winterfell in Game of Thrones. The castle is located in the village of Doune, near Stirling.
Reviews with images
Loved being at Glencoe in the Highlands - home to ...
This is an incredible, authentic historical-fiction television series based on the first of eight books authored by Diana Gabaldon. We had watched the first three episodes by the time we departed for England & Scotland in April 2017. Loved being at Glencoe in the Highlands - home to my Clan MacDonell. There are 16 episodes in Season 1. There are some pretty explicit violent and sexual scenes in Episodes 15 and 16 that are difficult to watch, and I definitely think they could have been toned down for television. In fact, the description of events in the book "Outlander" was not as graphic as was the movie. With that being said, I would still highly recommend the series (which at this time has completed three seasons -- one for each corresponding volume). Season 4 will be out in late 2018. Alba gu brath.
Top reviews from other countries
Rosalia
Serie apegada al libro que es magnífico pues reune Historia Fantasía y buen gusto. Ojalá pronto publiquen la Temporada II
Reviewed in Mexico on August 31, 2015