"The Barchester Chronicles" (1982) TV mini-series

User Rating:

8.5/10   

Director:

David Giles

Writers:

Alan Plater (writer)
Anthony Trollope (books)

Release Date:

10 November 1982 (UK)

Genre:

Drama

Plot Keywords:

Cathedral | Slap In The Face | Church Of England | TV Mini-Series | Cello

Awards:

1 win & 7 nominations

Cast

Donald Pleasence	...	Rev. Septimus Harding
David Gwillim	...	John Bold
John Ringham	...	Finney
Joseph O'Conor	...	Bunce
Clifford Parrish	...	Handy
Wally Thomas	...	Moody
Kenneth Keeling	...	Gazy
Janet Maw	...	Eleanor Bold (née Harding)
Nigel Hawthorne	...	Archdeacon Grantly
Cyril Luckham	...	Bishop Grantly
Barbara Flynn	...	Mary Bold
Angela Pleasence	...	Susan Grantly
Denis Carey	...	Skulpit
George Costigan	...	Tom Towers
William Redgrave	...	Samuel Grantly

Runtime:

UK:55 min (7 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Trivia:

Donald Pleasence was cast at short notice after the first choice died.

Quotes:

Rev. Septimus Harding: I have listened to the word of Obadiah Slope. More important, I have listened to the music of his soul, and I found the melody somewhat tasteless.
Mary Bold: But you must consider the possibility that you misunderstand him.
Rev. Septimus Harding: Yes. And you must consider the possibility that I understand him TOTALLY! And that is why I prefer to wait upon the bishop and his decision - which, I suppose, means Mrs. Proudie's decision.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Peep Show: Jeremy's Manager (#5.5)" (2008)

At last!

I have been waiting more than a decade for this version to be released in the US, and finally my wait is over. When it first aired on Masterpiece Theater, I was transfixed by the story, the acting, and the sets. Watching this production 2 decades later confirms my earlier opinion that Barchester Chronicles is one of the very best of the Brit adaptations ever to appear in America.

The story concentrates on the private and public lives of clergymen and their families in a cathedral town of the Victorian age. Political intrigue, romance, and situation comedy are deftly interwoven by Trollope's magical hand. What makes this production so wonderful, though, is the acting. Can anyone imagine a Machiavelli more accomplished and doomed than Alan Rickman as the bestial Obadiah Slope? Could anyone else play the awful Mrs. Proudie as well as Geraldine McEwan? Could any other actors than Donald Pleasance and Nigel Hawthorne make believable their affection despite persistent differences of opinion? A host of minor characters rounds out the cast, including the wonderfully irresponsible Bertie Stanhope (Peter Blythe) and his scheming sister Madeline (Susan Hampshire), the marvelously weak pawn of a bishop (Clive Swift) and the delightfully vague Susan Grantly (Angela Pleasance). Absolutely splendid!

The first two hours are on the slow side, to be sure. However, once the new Bishop and his entourage arrive on the scene, there is nonstop action and amusement for another five episodes. If you have never read Trollope, this production will send you to the library!