This Criminally Overlooked Historical Drama Is Game of Thrones' Secret Older Brother
A year before Game of Thrones came out, The Pillars of the Earth was released – a historical drama that has everything fans loved about the show based on Martin's works. Here's why it's a must-see for all fans of political intrigue.
Even before Game of Thrones, the British had made a perfect example of a medieval drama, full of murders, poisonings, battles, and love affairs. It was The Pillars of the Earth, based on Ken Follett's 800-page bestseller of the same name.
It is based on the history of The Anarchy – a period of power struggle in Britain between the daughter of Henry I, Princess Maude, and his nephew, Stephen of Blois.
What Is The Pillars of the Earth About?
The action takes place in England in the 12th century, during the reign of King Henry I. The country is in a state of political instability due to the absence of an heir to the throne after the death of the only legitimate heir in a shipwreck.
The only hope for the restoration of the royal line is the daughter Maude and her future son, but on the way to the throne there are insidious intrigues and poisonings that leave them completely unprotected.
Parallel to this story, we follow the fate of Tom Builder. Searching for work and surviving tragic losses, he becomes the chief builder of the cathedral, which becomes a symbol of hope and faith in the future.
The Pillars of the Earth Is a Not-So-Accurate But Gripping Historical Drama
The adaptation takes up the main topic of the novel – the birth of Gothic architecture in England – through the construction of the fictional Kingsbridge Cathedral.
The Pillars of the Earth helped revive tourist interest in Salisbury Cathedral, where Kingsbridge Cathedral was filmed.
At the same time, Tom Builder's story was completely fictional, the cathedral was not real, and the series often distorted historical truth for the sake of an exciting plot.
What Did Viewers & Critics Think of The Pillars of the Earth?
Although The Pillars of the Earth remained a rather overlooked project, it received rather positive reviews from both critics and audiences.
-
The Pillars of the Earth has 77% from critics and 86% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.
-
On IMDb, the show has a score of 8.0/10.
Where to Watch The Pillars of the Earth?
The Pillars of the Earth is available to stream on Starz, or you can rent/buy it on Apple TV.
