I am only giving this movie a 1 for the great cast, though I can't imagine what any of them were thinking. This movie was horrible

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

Great movie. Not sure what people expected but I found it highly entertaining.

I discovered this series when I was about 15 years old. . . (I, obviously, wasn't the average teenager.) I've loved it ever since. I was drawn to the series when I saw Derek Jacobi's face on the cover of a VHS. I loved his work in "I Claudius," "Hamlet," "The Secret of NIMH"--yes he was a voice actor in it, and a number of other performances that I can't list off the top of my head.Anyways, the story centers around a Monk in Middle Ages England named Cadfael who has knowledge in a number of unusual areas. He uses this knowledge to solve murders. It's an unusual premise, but it works and comes across beautifully--Thanks in great part to Derek Jacobi's amazing performance.I would also recommend reading the series written by Ellis Peters.

To be honest I was a bit disappointed. Maybe it is, because I love the novels so much. The costumes and sets are really great, but the actors (better said most of them) don't fit! A lot of them don't even look a single bit like the persons Elis Peters described so wonderful in her books. If you only take Hugh Beringar! Second thing is, that there were made too many changes (like at the virgin in the ice, when other persons become involved in the case who had nothing to do with it in the books.). One big plus is D. Jacobi who does one more time a magnificent job and there are also some nice guest stars, but comparing movies and books the movies are also a bit boring. The dramatic moments of the book are left beside here so often and you don't suffer with the characters as much as you did in the novels. Maybe if the episodes had been longer and there had been more time to show what was described so perfectly in the books it had been different, but so, I really can't recommend the movies to those of you who had read and loved the novels. For those who don't know Elis Peters amazing works the movies can be an entertaining journey to the middle ages.For me I have to say: After seeing the movies I keep on reading my novels!

I agree with "hgallon" on quite a few points. Any literary adaptation for the large or small screen, owes its existence to the source material. Therefore, it's not merely respectful to retain what made the source material compelling to start with; it's practical. (Acknowledging, of course, the fine adjustments that must occur when translating a story from one medium to another.)The series achieves both "hits" and "misses". I too was a little hurt that Cadfael's Welsh origins was omitted. And for several reasons:Cadfael's Welshness was an important aspect of his character. Anytime the abbey needed a Welsh translator (they WERE on the borderlands!), or the story required someone who knew both the Welsh and the English psyche intimately, Cadfael was called upon. Also, Ms. Peters indicates more then once that his affably earthy, yet bold, "take-no-crap" personality is a direct result to the Celtic culture in which he was brought up. I hardly think a simple Welsh accent would be beyond the scope of Mr. Jacobi's acting talent. (Ian Holm did it pretty well in "Henry V"...) I wonder why he was not asked to try?While on the subject, did anyone notice the actor playing Meurig in "Monk's Hood?" He played the lead in "Hedd Wyn" ---- the biopic of poet Ellis Evans. It was nominated for a "Best Foreign Film" Oscar in 1993. DEFINITELY worth checking out: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104403/board/threads/

there's no ballot. I'd give the series a 9-of-10 mark. Jacobi is perfect as the solver of mysteries. I'd like to kick Brother Jerome in the shins, so that actor must have done an excellent job playing his part as well. Of the 3 sheriffs, I prefer the premier season's man. The others don't quite measure up. I have seen 10 of the videos released from the series so far...am still trying to locate those from the 3rd set.