BBC's Lord of the Flies Adaptation Faces Viewer Backlash Over Camera Work
The highly anticipated BBC television series adaptation of William Golding's classic 1954 novel, Lord of the Flies, has sparked significant controversy among viewers, with many branding it 'unwatchable' due to a specific technical issue. The series, which premiered on Sunday, February 8, was adapted by Jack Thorne, co-creator of Adolescence, and follows a group of schoolboys stranded on an uninhabited island after a plane crash, as they struggle to maintain civilisation amidst chaos.
Viewers Criticise 'Horrific' Fish-Eye Lens Effect
For numerous fans, the first episode proved disappointing, leading them to 'switch off' after noticing what they described as a 'horrific' problem with the cinematography. The issue centres on the use of a fish-eye lens, an ultra-wide-angle camera lens that captures an extremely wide, sometimes panoramic, field of view, resulting in distorted and curved images at the edges of shots. This effect, often employed in cinema to create surreal or dream-like perspectives, has been met with sharp criticism from audiences.
Taking to social media platform X, formerly Twitter, viewers expressed their frustration. One user commented, 'I love the Lord Of The Flies book, but this filmmaking style is horrific. This is too "cinematic". It's only bleedin' TV!' Another agreed, stating, 'Nope. Can't watch this fish eye lens car crash,' while a third noted, 'Feels off - is it the colours, fisheye lenses shots, kid actors or general vibe. Not sure.' Further complaints included remarks about the 'blurred distorted periphery' and questions over the camera work, with one viewer asking, 'What's going on with the camera work, why is the cameraman in the sea? Did someone get a fish eye lens for Christmas?'
Mixed Reactions and Defenders of the Series
Despite the backlash, some viewers have praised the adaptation. One supporter wrote, 'Very impressed by the new adaptation of Lord of the Flies so far,' with another adding, 'Enjoying it so far, what fantastic actors.' This division echoes the mixed reviews from critics prior to the release, who were split over the 'excellent acting' but 'not great script'. The BBC synopsis teases, 'Stranded on an island, a gang of schoolboys create their own community – but when the rules vanish, the beast within awakens,' highlighting the timeless themes of the novel.
Inspiring Backstory of Young Star David McKenna
Amidst the controversy, one of the series' stars, David McKenna, has shared an inspiring real-life tale of resilience. The 12-year-old, who plays Piggy in the drama, has undergone two kidney transplants after being born with chronic kidney failure. In a heart-warming twist, both kidneys were donated by his parents—first by his father, Jim, when David was four, and later by his mother, Elizabeth, when the first transplant failed six years later. From Belfast, David has endured years of painful treatment, including being fed by tube, and has frequently been in and out of hospital throughout his childhood.
In a video posted on Facebook to mark the 25th anniversary of the charity Children's Kidney Fund NI, David reflected on his journey, saying, 'It has changed my life. I'm really proud of myself to think that 18 months ago, I was sat on a dialysis chair. Now I'm winning musical theatre trophies, starring in musicals and I have something very exciting coming my way very soon.' Most of the cast, including David, are making their professional acting debuts, joined by Lox Pratt as Jack, Winston Sawyers as Ralph, and Ike Talbut as Simon.
Lord Of The Flies continues to air on Sundays at 9pm on BBC One and is available for streaming on iPlayer, offering viewers the chance to form their own opinions on the divisive adaptation.
