This TV-epopee of more than eight hours was heavily criticized, or at least regarded with much skepticism. The first broadcast on December 19, 2005, was preceded by months of controversy in the media. Opponents feared that filming the work for television would sacrifice the layered narrative of the novel and the complexity of the socio-political and metaphysical themes to the popular demands of the broadcast medium.
The eight-hour TV epic encountered substantial criticism or was met with considerable skepticism. Its initial airing on December 19, 2005, sparked months of media controversy. Critics were concerned that translating the work for television would undermine its layered narrative and the novel's deep socio-political and metaphysical themes to align with popular broadcasting standards.