The Ebony Tower Totally Explained

Everything about The Ebony Tower totally explained

The Ebony Tower (1974) by John Fowles consists of 5 short novels with interlacing themes, built around a medieval myth: The Ebony Tower, Eliduc, Poor Koko, The Enigma and The Cloud. Of the five short stories in this collection, only one is described on this page. The story described here's "The Ebony Tower", which also happens to be the title of the collection. The stories may or may not have interlacing themes, it would depend on how broadly you cast the concept of theme. However, note that the description of the TV adaptation of the short story entitled "The Ebony Tower" included below needs its own page. The TV adaptation differs from the story as written. The other stories in the collection don't have the same characters in them and concern substantially different topics.

TV Adaptation

The Ebony Tower is a 1984 television adaptation of the novel by John Fowles. Directed by Robert Knights it stars Sir Laurence Olivier in the title role of the elderly painter.

Plot Synopsis

Henry Breasley is an elderly painter whose secluded retirement is invaded by a brash young artist commissioned to write a biographical study of the great man. Breasley shares his home with two young English girls, both former art students, Diana and Anne. In this strange ménage, David is left in no doubt about his host's views on modern abstract art. However, he's puzzled by the old man's relationship with the girls, especially when he himself is attracted to Diana...

Cast

Sir Laurence Olivier - Henry Breasley
Roger Rees - David Williams
Greta Scacchi - Diana, 'The Mouse'
Toyah Willcox - Anne, 'The Freak'
Georgina Melville - Beth Williams
Yves Brainville - Jean-Pierre
Denise Bailly - Mathilde

Trivia

Olivier was recovering from pleurisy during filming.

Filmed in Limoges, Haute-Vienne in France.

DVD and VHS

The film was released on VHS during the 1990s. However, The Ebony Tower has recently been released on DVD format and is included on the Laurence Olivier Presents Collection by Acron Media (US), and The Laurence Olivier Centenary Collection by Network Media (UK).
Further Information

Get more info on 'The Ebony Tower'.

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