Decline and Fall

Mr Paul Pennyfather is an educated and accomplished fellow who starts off his career at Oxford but doesn't last long due to the students' bullying and a rigid structure which he struggles to adapt to.

He realises he is not ready for Oxford and gets transferred to a private school on request. There he falls in love with one of the pupil's parents and his life really changes.

It's got a lot of sharp twists and good old-fashioned narrative drama with some superb acting especially the brilliant Stephen Graham as Philbrick; Douglas Hodge as Grimes; David Suchet as Dr. Fagan and Eva Logoria playing the love interest who is Margot Beste-Chetwynde!

The drama has a lot of twists and turns and our Paul really does end up in so many different spots of bother! It's hard to review without giving the story away as so much of it is based on narrative but it is a great show and a thoroughly enjoyable although not too realistic period piece!

A strong 7/10.

DECLINE AND FALL is a three-part series based on the novel of the same title by Evelyn Waugh. Perhaps you read his masterpiece Brideshead Revisited but at the tender age of 25 he produced a comic novel Decline and Fall partly based on his teaching experience. The principal character is Paul Pennyfeather who is sent down from Oxford for indecent behaviour and goes on a series of strange adventures including obtaining a teaching position at a chaotic school and an engagement to high society beauty. Waugh's novel is generally considered to be a high-society satire exploring the topics of elitism, racism and xenophobia. Although sometimes the point might be difficult to get and some people say that the novel written in 1928 is not relevant at all (but some say the story is still relevant and has many links to today's society) the story retains its universal appeal due to flamboyant characters whose eccentricity borders on insanity. Dr. Fagan who runs the school is afraid of his students, despises his daughter Florence (because she is fat and good-hearted) and adores his daughter Diane (because she is butchy and bitchy). Some of the teachers are literally crazy and some are miserable. The very first episode contains a brilliant line:

We class schools into four grades - leading schools, first-rate schools, good schools and schools.

Dare not to say that it does not ring any bells with you! The cast is great. Paul is played by Jack Whitehall, he is a popular stand-up comedian and you could see him in a hilarious sitcom Bad Education. Legendary David Suchet is Dr. Fagan and high-society beauty is portrayed by luminous Eva Longoria. All in all the series is well made, funny and boasts solid budget with some of the scenes having been filmed in the real medieval castle.

Anyone saying this series is poor needs a good whacking. I laughed through the whole bit and was very entertained. If you read a bit of history and study the schools of the time, 1920's, the series reflects the true history of UK education. This was very enjoyable and I look forwards to more from this capable group of producers.

This is perhaps the most pretentious and outrageous farce in British style. I think the British simply mistake and fail to distinguish the thin line between comedy and farce, and of course, this is the ultimate farce that I've ever watched. Every thing and every moment in this series were just so over the top ridiculed and exaggerated. If this is what we called "The English Humor", then don't bother. Even it's only three episodes, with so many cast and manpower involved, the production fund and budget were simply moronically wasted. I felt myself so stupid when I watched the first episode and decided to jump out of the plane by my own will; I'd rather crash down to earth instead.

Absolutely brilliant adaptation of Evelyn Waugh's biting satire of British personalities. Douglas Hodge's performance is a comedic tour de force!! Jack Whitehall is perfectly cast, as are all of the other "character" actors. The only misstep was in casting Eva Longoria...her performance is rather grating. I say, it's a " must watch" for those who are fans of British comedy!