Don't Believe the Hype

Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

The Barchester Chronicles (1982) was directed by David Giles. Anthony Trollope was a genius. The question was whether Director Giles was capable enough to to trust Trollope's plot, and find the actors capable of portraying Trollope's characters. Giles carried it off with skill and finesse.The movie has the usual excellent production values we have come to expect from the BBC. The fictional cathedral town of Barchester is reproduced in Peterborough. Donald Pleasence plays Rev. Septimus Harding. Harding is a kind and gentle man, but he has a backbone when that's what's needed.Donald Pleasence is often cast as a villain. Here, he is anything but a villain. His acting skills were amazing.Geraldine McEwan is outstanding in the role of Mrs. Proudie, the wife of the new bishop.This was Alan Rickman's first major role. He portrays Obadiah Slope, chaplain to the Bishop. He's sly, well spoken, clever, and unprincipled. Rickman was made for this role, and her performs it perfectly.Even if you don't like Victorian novels, this is a movie worth seeing. I highly recommend it. P.S. Angela Pleasence is the daughter of Donald Pleasence. She plays the role of his daughter in the series. It's clear that she inherited her father's acting skills.

This series is based on two of Anthony Trollope's books. The first two episodes cover the events in 'The Warden' and the remaining five 'Barchester Towers'.In the opening two episodes the Warden of Hiram's Hospital, the kind-hearted Rev Septimus Harding, finds himself at the centre of a campaign against certain aspects of the Church of England; most notably the amount certain members of the clergy earn. The situation isn't helped by the fact that sees the other side's point of view and the local leader of the campaign is courting his younger daughter, Eleanor.The remaining five episode take place sometime later; Rev Harding is no longer The Warden; Eleanor has wed, had a son and been widowed and the old bishop has died. These episodes see the arrival of Bishop Proudie and his domineering wife as well as the bishop's chaplain the odious Rev Slope (he changed his name from Slop). We also meet the colourful Stanhope who have recently returned from Italy. The Wardenship of Hiram's Hospital is open again and Slope is determined that the 'right' man must get the job; at first the post is offered to Mr Quiverful, a poor vicar with fourteen children, but when he learns of Eleanor's wealth he decides it might be a good idea to give the job to her father so she will look favourably on any proposal he might make. Unfortunately for him Mrs Proudie has already discussed the posting with Mrs Quiverful and is determined not to be made a liar of.This series is an utter delight; the opening two episodes are enjoyable but things get even better in the final five thanks to the introduction of so many great new characters and the loss of a couple of the less interesting characters. The cast is full of familiar faces, some who were already establish and others who will go on to be very well known. This cast does a really good job; Donald Pleasence is great as Rev Harding; there are also impressive performances from Janet Maw and Angela Pleasence, as his daughters; Nigel Hawthorne, as his son-in-law the Archdeacon; Barbara Flynn, as the sister of Eleanor's late husband; Susan Hampshire, as the 'scandalous' La Signora Madeline Vesey Neroni; and Clive Swift as Bishop Proudie. However the most memorable performances come from Geraldine McEwan who gives an imperious performance as Mrs Proudie and Alan Rickman who is a delight as the smarmy Slope. I haven't read the books so can't say how close these adaptions are but I can say the stories are witty and packed with great characters and never feature material that could offend… I heartily recommend this series.

This sort of story is easy to overlook because it is so low-key and so very wholesome. But for what it is I found it gripping; everyone needs something purely wholesome from time to time. Although, there is much more sexual tension than one would expect from a series about the Anglican clergy. Other reviews on this page seem to agree that Obadiah Slope steals the show in this regard. Yes, I would have chosen him over Mr. Arabin as well, but at least we can infer that Slope found some other lucky lady. It's not fair, though, to let Rickman dominate analysis of this series. The rest of the cast give performances which are just as mesmerizing, particularly Susan Hampshire as Madeline. But watching this, you can tell why Alan went on to become the biggest name of the entire cast. Sidenote: Give me Madeline's wardrobe YESTERDAY. Like any good period piece, this is gorgeous to look at. I found myself very worried about what would happen to Eleanor. I mean, being slut-shamed for RECEIVING a letter? That is COLD. I also liked that she had such a good relationship with her father; that he always had her back. It makes me teary-eyed just thinking about it. Recommended. Would watch again.

When I read the book I was probably far too young to appreciate its value. Watching the series sent me back to the book. Its a must see and a must read. It is, I think, what one alien would imagine about being British in that time. The way they talk, and act and everything from the scenery to the little things happening sends you back in that time. I can fully comprehend the concept behind the, blurry till now, term "proper" in the British area. Characters from the book are truly brought to life by the actors, if you read the book after watching the series you would never imagine them otherwise. Must mention Mr. Alan Rickman, he is as usually purely catching. The point deducted from the 10 star rating is because it is not the complete Trollope series and hasn't full language subtitle support (talking about the DVD version).