To the Ends of the Earth

To the Ends of the Earth is the name given to a trilogy of nautical, relational novels—Rites of Passage (1980), Close Quarters (1987), and Fire Down Below (1989)—that were written by William Golding. The British writer won the Nobel Prize in 1983. These three novels, set on a British former man-of-war transporting migrants to Australia in the early 19th century, explore themes of class (assumed status) and man's reversion to savagery when isolated, in this case, the closed society of the ship's passengers and crew.

The first of the books, Rites, was awarded the Man Booker Prize in 1980. The trilogy as a whole was adapted by the late Leigh Jackson and Tony Basgallop for a 2005 BBC drama mini-series of the same name, directed by David Attwood and starring Benedict Cumberbatch. It aired in the United States in PBS' 2006 season of Masterpiece Theatre. It became available in 2016 on Netflix streaming.

First edition cover by Cathie Felstead[1]

Plot summaries

Rites of Passage

Rites of Passage (1980) is an account of a 6-month voyage to Australia in the early 19th century by an assorted group of British migrants on a converted man-of-war. It is in the form of a journal written by Edmund Talbot, a young aristocrat. His influential godfather has arranged for him to be employed with the Governor of New South Wales, and presents Talbot with a journal to record the significant events of the journey. He considers it a time of reflection for the young man. Talbot begins by describing the passengers of all classes (getting a tour of the ship) and crew members, who encompass a motley yet representative collection of early 19th-century English society. He becomes concerned with the downfall of passenger Reverend Colley.

Talbot has a somewhat ambiguous role in Colley's fall; although he quickly assumes a mediator's role between the Reverend and Captain Anderson, initially he had presumed on his status by going on the quarterdeck without the captain's express invitation, about which the latter man was protective. Colley dies after getting drunk and possibly being sexually assaulted by the ship's crew and officers. When one of the crew suggests officers were involved, the captain ends his investigation of Colley's death, as "buggery" (homosexual intercourse) is punishable by hanging. Talbot comes across Colley's journal, and feels guilty for seeing how eager Colley was to know him better. Colley is given a formal burial at sea. As the novel closes, Talbot is ambivalent about presenting his own journal to his godfather, as he fears it may not show him in the best light. He concludes that he does not have a choice, and eventually he seals the journal, in order to protect what he has written.

Close Quarters

Golding begins Close Quarters (1987) from Talbot's point of view and soon after he completed his first journal on the 6-month voyage to Australia. Talbot starts a new journal in a different tone, as this volume will not be presented to his godfather. He describes his romantic feelings for a young woman whom he meets on a different ship they encounter, the HMS Alcyone. Feeling ill, he expresses his fears about the seaworthiness of his own ship and its ability to complete the journey. The book has a more traditional structure, with chapter breaks at dramatic moments (rather than the day-by -ay account presented in Rites).

Fire Down Below

Fire Down Below (1989) closed the trilogy with a description of the ever-more perilous voyage (given the old ship and old charts); of Talbot's maturing and his growing admiration for the Prettimans; of the rivalry between the two principal officers, Summers and Benét, for Captain Anderson's respect and trust; and of the conclusion to Edmund's affaire de coeur with Miss Chumley. Much detail is given to the increasingly frantic measures to repair the ship and reach Australia.

Literary themes

Rites of Passage is characterized by the theme of class division, in particular, the assumption of a higher status by individuals than is warranted. The leitmotiv of proper gentlemanly conduct is explored in the often stormy friendship of Talbot with Lieutenant Summers, who pressses him to live up to his responsibilities as an aristocrat after he has taken advantage of its privilege. Summers sometimes feels slighted by Talbot's ill-considered comments and advice. Rites explores the cruelties of men in groups, and the tensions as they struggle over status and place in their artificial society on the ship.

Miniseries adaptation

We found Benedict Cumberbatch fairly early. We needed a very good actor, someone young enough to be believable as an aristocratic, an almost slightly dislikeable character who is an adolescent in terms of his views of the world, his upbringing. But we also needed someone who could hold the screen for four and half hours, in every scene. We needed someone with experience who was not only a very good actor, but also with terrific comic timing. Benedict was the ideal answer to that.

“
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Director of To the Ends of the Earth David Attwood[2]

In 2005 the books were adapted as a BBC drama serial, written in part by the late Leigh Jackson, who fell ill after completing the first film and while working on the second and third. Attwood hired Tony Basgallop to complete the work, crediting him with bringing his own voice to the project. Attwood dedicated the films to Jackson.

The series stars Benedict Cumberbatch. Named To The Ends of the Earth, the series was directed by David Attwood. He had been interested in developing a film adaptation since reading the first novel of the trilogy, Rites of Passage.[2]

This mini-series also aired in the United States on PBS as part of Masterpiece Theatre in 2006. In 2016 it became available on Netflix streaming.

The production crew built two ships to film. The company filmed in South Africa at Richards Bay, as they wanted to convey the feel of the tropics. They encountered heavy weather at this location.[2]

Original music was composed by Rob Lane for the production. Heard more than once was a Methodist hymn, "Lord, whom winds and waves obey," with words by Charles Wesley, set to "Nuremberg," alt. from Johann R. Ahle, 1664; from Hymns for the Nation, 1782.[2]

Cast

Historical note

The third episode of the series trilogy, which is set in 1812, features Captain Arthur Phillip as Governor of New South Wales, when he was in fact leader of the colony from 1788 to 1792. By 1812 there had been three intervening governors. The historic Scots incumbent in office was Lieutenant Colonel Lachlan Macquarie.

Series reception

The series received very good reviews. The Guardian said, "The performances are superb ... The best TV drama of the year by a nautical mile."[3] The BBC has a new reader review feature which viewers can see about its productions.[4] The series was nominated for the Golden FIPA for TV Series and Serials, and the BAFTA TV Award for Best Drama Serial.

When the series aired in the United States on PBS Masterpiece Theatre, the New York Times said "It’s an intriguing drama, and depressing in a way that seems morally important, but its merits are also staked on its seeming true to life."[4] A man from North Wales was particularly critical about the portrayal of the ship and its quarters. For most landlubbers, it looks appropriate.

On Rotten Tomatoes, the series received an 85 percent approval rating from audiences.[5]

References

  1. ↑ "Modern first editions". flickr.com. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Masterpiece Theatre - To the Ends of the Earth - Production Notes". pbs.org. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  3. ↑ Official website. "To the Ends of the Earth". PBS Masterpiece Theatre. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  4. 1 2 VIRGINIA HEFFERNAN, "Ah, Life at Sea: Sweaty, Sodden and Light on Nobility", New York Times, 20 October 2006; accessed 14 August 2016
  5. ↑ To the Ends of the Earth, 2007 DVD; accessed 14 August 2016
Awards
Preceded by
Offshore		 Booker Prize recipient
1980 		Succeeded by
Midnight's Children
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