It is the 100th anniversary of the publication of Ford Madox Ford’s pre-First World War novel, The Good Soldier, a seminal book of the 20th century. It opens with this sentence: “This is the saddest story I ever heard,”–spoken by the narrator, John Dowell—my part, in the Granada TV adaptation filmed in 1980. It was poignant for me to retrace my steps, 30 years later, from the fountain in Bad Nauheim, where I had once been greeted by Roger Hammond as the Grand Duke: “Good morning, Mr. Dowell!”.
I am the sole surviving actor of Ford Madox Ford’s doomed quartet —who made the film of The Good Soldier 35 years ago. Jeremy Brett, Vickery Turner (r) and Susan Fleetwood (l)–all died too young. Susan was only 51! All had so much more to give. Meredith and I were in Germany to pursue another project, but passing so close to Bad Nauheim, on our way to Frankfurt, we couldn’t resist the short detour from the motor-way.
Meredith admired the film and knew Susan. I had spent three intense weeks there in the autumn of 1980, much of the time as elegant set-dressing (so it seemed to us!), for this extraordinary Edwardian spa town. We walked and walked, in line of four, dressed in pre-war finery without–it seemed–a care in the world. Bad Nauheim is still a spa town, but the beautiful Sprudelhof bath buildings (built between 1905 and 1911 in what the Germans call the Jugendstil style) are open only for special guided tours–and sadly none were available over the days we were there.
However we managed to slip into one of the bath houses, opened by maintenance workers for cleaning, and it looked exactly as it had 30 years ago–indeed probably as it had 100 years ago. Elegant bath cubicles line the corridor (where Florence took her cure).
Pretty interior courtyards and reception rooms are decorated with shells, mosaics, stained glass and wrought iron–every fitting finely-crafted in the art nouveau style.
Until director Kevin Billington sent me the script, I was unfamiliar with The Good Soldier. I later regretted that my first contact with the story was via the screenplay, rather than the novel itself—thereby missing out on the mystery angle of the story—the gradual way Ford peels his onion, slowly revealing what lay beneath the facade of the four elegant walkers, “all good people”.
The adaptation–loyal to the novel–was written by the English screenwriter and playwright, Julian Mitchell. Filming took three months, on location in England and Germany (extended by a labour dispute at Granada TV involving the shooting of Jewel In The Crown–which delayed our schedule too). I had recently played another diffident American, Robert Acton, in Merchant Ivory’s production of the Henry James novel, The Europeans. Perhaps Kevin saw it. Though there are comic possibilities in playing innocence–three months is a long time to spend with John Dowell— someone so blindly and determinedly, out of touch with the truth.
Almost by definition we could not film the book in sequence and Kevin helped us all hang on to the arc of each of our character’s complicated and intersecting narratives. He had a firm grip on the ‘unpeeling onion’ and we were grateful to him for that. Yet while admiring his exigence and his quest for perfection, we found the endless “clothes-horse” aspect of the filming difficult.
The scene where the two couples meet for the first time, in the dining room of the hotel, for instance, was filmed FIFTY-SEVEN times from every conceivable angle! The local German extras, initially excited to be in a film, decided by lunchtime that they never wanted to be in another one–not even for ready money!
The film does look sensational though–brilliantly shot by Tony Pierce Roberts. The pace and style evoke so well the pre-war era–soon to be killed off and changed for ever by the coming carnage, launched on August the 4th– Florence’s birthday, wedding day and the day on which she commits suicide. No coincidence!
Filming back in England hopped from one “Great House” to another. Some retained the faded charm of the period—of a class feeling the pinch, if not exactly on its uppers. In one, there was a strong reminder of the devastation the First World War wreaked in social and human terms. The large brick-walled kitchen garden was still visible, as were the magnificent greenhouses—but dilapidated and neglected since the twenties–the men who had made them flourish, all slaughtered in France.
Writing in 1915—one hundred years ago—Ford Madox Ford foresaw that this was the end of an era. Edward Ashburham’s world–complacent and arrogant—was doomed. Strange that John Dowell, the unconvincing Quaker and “casual Yankee”, was so much in awe of it—and indeed joined it.
The strain of the long shoot, began to take its toll towards the end. It was the day of Nancy’s (Elizabeth Garvie) departure and we were filming the buggy ride to the station. “Pony’s going well!”
A little too well I thought–given that Edward/Jeremy was driving it and not the horsemaster!
The director wanted a shot of us driving over the hump-backed railway bridge, on our way to the forecourt. It would certainly have had a poignancy to it, but I could only picture the frisky pony taking off down the steep descent, and Jeremy not being able to control it.
Memories came to mind of a near-fatal accident, while filming the BBC series Poldark in Cornwall. The coach I was in, turned over on a rock on Bodmin Moor and the cameraman, who was tied to the side of it, was lucky to escape with a broken leg. I was in shock and couldn’t speak for three hours afterwards without bursting into tears.
Kevin insisted that it was perfectly safe. I found myself getting out of the buggy and demanding loudly whether he’d allow his young children do the shot. “Yes– of course,” he replied. I stomped down to the platform and into the waiting room; where I stripped off my costume, and that was the end of the buggy ride.
Perhaps after months of being unassuming John Dowell, something of Robin Ellis had to be let loose again! You can watch the entire film of The Good Soldier on YouTube now!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=10&v=zA0PjehNE9Q
What exciting footnotes to a fine production. Re watched it just the other day. Thanks for your insights into this little jem of a film.
Thanks, John.
Thank you Mr Ellis for this blog! Really interesting! Catia
Thanks, Catia.
Cataracts are getting worse, so hard to read these days… I will find the film and thanks for the tip!
Thank you so much for this – remember it well! Slightly shocked how long ago, wish life came with a pause/rewind button!
Actually, this is one of my favorite films. I have watched it many times, as there are indeed many “layers of the onion” awaiting to be found each time. I so enjoyed watching you doing the Quaker-American bit! It was and is still a lovely reminder of a way of life soon to be swept away.
At the time, and still, I admire your range, playing so memorably the passionate and heroic Poldark,vs the repressed and deceived (or deceiving?) Dowell. Bravo!
What a fascinating read! Thank you very much. I look forward to watching the film, I love period drama and especially with you in it!
Wonder why they didn’t use a body double/stunt person for Mr. Brett for that scene? But good for you for standing up for safety. Thanks for this very lovely post. You have a terrifically engaging style, like we’re sharing a pint with you @ the local!
All the best,
Nancy
Thanks, Nancy–money most likely!
A fascinating look-in on the production. Thank you so much.
Thank you for this. I can’t remember that I’ve ever seen it on German TV. I only know the English original version. Sad story, great location, very good actors, stylish, elegant dressing.
Robin, did you know that a team of the BBC was in Bad Nauheim in 2012. The reason for the visit was a story about Ford Madox Ford for the “Culture Show” and in this context they made interviews with German extras.
All of them spoke very positively about the behaviour of the actors. “All were very friendly and not arrogant, we got autographs and we had some conversation but on the other side there were comments like “it was boring and needed too much time through repeats of scenes therefore they got a lot of respect for the work of an actor”. One of them was the owner of “Willy’s Pub” he still remembered the high consumption of whiskey by the film crew!
Here’s a link to that article (sorry, only in German) but I hope you have a possibility for translating perhaps with a little help from Google?
http://www.wetterauer-zeitung.de/Home/Kreis/Staedte-und-Gemeinden/Bad-Nauheim/Artikel,-1980-%2526-2012-Film-ab-in-der-Kurstadt-_arid,378556_regid,3_puid,1_pageid,75.html
Today Bad Nauheim status as a “health city” based mainly on several large hospitals and specialist clinics. There is a long tradition in the Heart Research.
One of my work colleagues comes from Marburg another film location.
With greetings from Munich
Thank you for this Martina–wonderful to read what the extras felt about it and that they learned an actor’s life can be tedious as well as fun!!
Hi Robin,
I watched this recently on YouTube and found it a haunting and touching story. It was one of those films that ‘stayed with me’ for days, flitting in and out of my thoughts. A stunning film. Thank you so much for sharing your insights into the background and the filming.
All the best, Tina
Your background stories of your film projects are highly interesting, educational and entertaining in themselves. You have lately introduced me to two films (stories) I had not heard of before and look forward to viewing. btw: Poldark (version 2) starts here in the States in mid-June. I will watch it with fresh eyes, because as excellent as I’m sure it is, nothing can replace the original for what it meant to us at the time, and what a grand story and production it was.
Thank you, Mr Ellis for a great behind the scenes account. However, I am a bit confused on one point. I’d always heard that Mr Brett was an accomplished horseman.
He wasn’t riding the horse, he was driving the buggy.
Thank you for the link for this film – wonderfully acted, and beautifully shot, like scenes from paintings…. What a fine American accent you did, sir! Well done indeed. (But I’m glad you saw more action as Ross Poldark!)
Mr. Ellis:
Well you know I sure thought it about time for you to mention ‘The Good Soldier!’ ….;-)…
In my opinion, I thought it one of the finest films of a novel set to the screen. We watch this film on dvd at home every now and then to really get into another ‘world’ a bit away from our modern times. The film and Ford Maddox Ford’s writing come together to offer some real fine entertainment.
The film is a stunning evocation of a time long past and individuals living lives within intriguing relationships. As noted, the film gains much with the beautiful cinematography. And in that It would be sure great to get a blu-ray of the production.
Thanks for making ‘The Good Soldier’. Really it has to be one of the finest costume dramas ever made. I’d think it sure gives Brideshead Revisited a run for its money!
Thanks, Rich–“another world”, you are right.
So if they decide to put Rev. Halse on a horse in the next season, you’ll turn them down? 😉
Love hearing your anecdotes, Robin…And what a lovely town! I do remember when I watched “The Good Soldier” the first time thinking how elegant you all looked– “picture perfect!”–until we started to see the characters’ lives below the surface. Perhaps I’ll have to read the book, now!
It’s worth it, Dianne.
Hi Robin So nice to see you have been back to the sets of the “The Good Soldier”. How strange when I was just mentioning this beautiful film to you the other month. I hope your visit brought you many happy memories of the wonderful people you knew at the time.
Best wishes Diane
🍀Shawdiane https://about.me/shawdiane http://www.facebook.com/shaw.gbs http://www.facebook.com/shawdiane
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I had never heard of this film. I’ll be sure to watch it. Thanks so much for the interesting info on the filming of it. Donna
Dear Robin thanks for the very interesting post here. Question – was it “Judenstil” or rather “Jugendstil” – the former meaning Jewish style the latter was Art Deco. Just wondering…. thanks, biz Susan
Thanks Susan, I have corrected it–oh dear!
Not “rather”, hehe, it IS Jugendstil. And Juden doesn´t mean Jewish, it means Jews. The word for Jewish is jüdisch. Jugendstil was followed by Art Deco. 😀
I do love hearing your behind the scenes tales. Jeremy Brett is for me the only Sherlock Holmes, he was amazing. What was he like to work with?
Gill
Lovely man to work with.
Dear Robin
I was surprised to see your blog post yesterday in my emails, especially as I recognised the Sprudelhof in Bad Nauheim before reading your story. I know it well, I grew up in Friedberg, which is just south of Bad Nauheim, and I have to correct a couple of small but important errors. Elvis Presley was stationed in Friedberg, at Ray Barracks, though he did rent a house in Bad Nauheim. And, as another of your readers noticed, it should say Jugendstil, which is the German word for Art Nouveau!
As alway, enjoyed the blog and wishing you all the best.
Ulrike x
Thank you Ulrike–appreciate the notes. I changed the “d” to” a “g” as soon as it was pointed out.
Hello, Mr Ellis! Reading your account about the making of the film is very interesting. I’m an Italian fan of yours (since I watched Poldark), and I want to tell you that you are a wonderful John Dowell, as the other three actors of the quartet in their roles. I’d like to know what Jeremy Brett thought of Eduard: did he like his character? And did he like the novel?
Thank you very much (and excuse me for my bad English!).
I don’t know, Rita, is the straight answer. I wish he were still around so you could ask him.
Hello Robin I brought the DVD then read the book, I had to hunt for it and in the end had to order it form Waterstones.The film I think stayed faithfully to the book. I was quite sad at the end, when you thought you had found your love,only to find that your lady was scared at heart.It was a beautifully made film it brought a lost era to life, acted by actors who New their craft
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Thank you for this blog. I saw The Good Soldier and also The Europeans. The characters you play in both have some similarities. It is sad to think of the people now gone; when I re-watch the 1975 Poldark I remember that Paul Curran is gone, probably Frank Middlemass (is that his last name?). Recently ITV did another Ford Madox Ford, a mini-series featuring Bernard Cumberbatch in the uncertain hero role.
This is a wonderful film Robin. I watched it on your recommendation and i’m buying it on DVD……..very ‘Remains of the Day’ and ‘Howards End’ ish. That may make you throw up your hands in horror and say that I’m a Philistine !!
One of my favorite lines in the film ‘my wife had the misfortune to strain her heart in a storm at sea’ ……..I’m so going to use this excuse !! Training my husband as I speak / type 🙂
Love the blog Robin
Ros
Funny, Ros!
Good piece of writing, Mr. Ellis and fine photos. Enjoyed reading this and I had never heard of “The Good Soldier”.
Thanks, Heidi.
I have watched this film on DVD many times, and each time I wonder why the “Good Soldier” is Brett’s character rather than your character, as Dowell seems to be the honest, honorable steadfast man as opposed to one who has what would now be called “issues” with women, money and being truthful.
That said, you make a very convincing American of the Gilded Age upper class.
Any possibility you could convince The Powers That Be to release your Howard Carter/King Tut film? I remember it from years ago and it was fascinating. It is on You Tube, but the sound is dodgy.
Thanks Alix–perhaps “the Tut” should be allowed to rest!
Hi there, I have to correct you about something you wrote about Nauheim. The name of the German (although after my opinion it has it´s origin in Austria, but not sure about it) style is Jugendstil, not Judenstil. The word Jude means Jew, so if you would translate it, it would say Jewstyle. Jugend means youth.
Greetings from Austria
Julia
Thanks, Julia. Others pointed this out and i changed it tout de suite. Oh dear!
Mr. Ellis
Just a further note on the film.
I recently wrote to the ‘suggestion box’ at the Criterion Collection noting that they should take a look at adding ‘The Good Soldier’ to their list of fine films that they consistently make available to people who love film. Not sure if they will ever put it In among their titles but in any case it is a film that certainly deserves to be ‘in the ring!’
Thank you for your post. I’m not working this week so in between my exciting household chores watching “The Good Soldier” will be a treat!
Andrea
Such a beautiful film from an extraordinary novel; I saw it when I was quite young and while much of the adult themes sailed right over my head, I was stunned by it. I am new to your blog and am happy to know that you are leading such an idyllic life. American fan here of many decades, enjoyed your cameo on Poldark while savoring memories of the original.
Thank you and welcome!
I have loved this film since I first saw it on Masterpiece Theatre here in America. I came across this website because I have been looking for the name of the house that is Bradshaw Tellerie in the film. I don’t believe that the one listed on the Internet movie database site is correct, or at least I don’t recognize it at all. Does anyone happen to know the real name of the house?
I am very much enjoying the new Poldark series but was more than delighted to see Mr. Ellis in this one as well. Thank you.
Thanks, Patty.
R
Dear Mr Ellis, I only recently came across “The Good Soldier”. I am about to embark on turning my historical period drama book series into a screenplay (mini-series) and in my search for works that I can use as benchmarks of quality and excellence, I have been studying “Parade’s End”, among others. When I learned of “The Good Soldier”, I discovered it, too, was a work whose craftsmanship I wish to emulate. Do you know where I might be able to purchase a shooting script? Many thanks for whatever assistance you may provide – and for your wonderful body of work. Kindest regards, Bella St John.
Thanks, bella.
I doubt one exists after 40 years!
You could write to Granada TV in Manchester but it’s a very long shot.
R
Thanks, Robin. x
Hello Mr Ellis! How r u? Hope all is well
Sent from my iPhone
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[…] continues “The adaptation–loyal to the novel–was written by the English screenwriter and playwright, […]
Greetings from North Carolina ! Mr. Ellis, I discovered your site after watching The Good Soldier.” (Fantastic job by the 4 leading actors!) I’ve been a vegetarian for 30 years now, and I’m looking at getting a copy of your cookbook for my wife and I. Have you considered adopting the pen name “The Food Soldier” ??
I stumbled upon “The Good Soldier” after seeing Vickery Turner in an episode of “The Waltons” ! I wanted to see more of her, and “The Good Soldier” entered my life. I must say that at that point in her life, she was exquisitely attractive. I can’t take my eyes off of her in every scene she is in. Perfectly cast as Florence. Petite and playful, full of life and deception ~ what’s not to like? I have kind of fallen in love with Ms. Turner from afar.
Can you tell me what she was like as a person? I cannot find a lot of articles nor any interviews about her or with her. As as actor portraying her husband, did you find yourself attracted to her? Was she a consummate professional? Was she kind?
Thank you for all of your work in entertaining us and informing us about healthy food choices.
Best, Danny Paterno