Oliver's Travels

Alan Bates and Sinead Cusack are fortuitously thrown together in search of a renowned crossword compiler gone missing after apparently some connection with murders and a sinister, shady corporation lurking in the background. Their search takes them on an odyssey through the north of England, Scotland and finally to the Orkney Islands.

This is a romantic comedy/caper rather than a hard-edged thriller, propped up by a wonderful rapport between Bates and Cusack rather than nail-biting scenes and complicated plotting. In fact the details surrounding the sinister corporation I thought were vague and unconvincing but hardly important to the enjoyment of the adventure. Consequently, the entertainment value derives more from the romantic entanglement and witty dialogue between Bates and Cusack unfolding against the beautiful stark landscapes of Britain. 8/10

If you want to see what skilled acting is all about, watch these two masters - Alan Bates and Sinead Cusack - turn what could otherwise be a dull and British story in something highly enjoyable almost solely on the strength of their personalities and acting skills. (A equally skilled director helps as well.) Imagine two young American actors in these roles, and you will see what I mean.

This series - which appeared in the US as a PBS Mystery presentation - which in other hands could have been a mess, is one of the most enjoyable things I've seen on television in a long time. I hope it will be shown again.

I saw this mini-series on "Mystery" on PBS and absolutely loved it. I usually hate movies/shows with a romantic bent but Alan Bates and Sinead Cusack have the most wonderful (and non-saccharine) chemistry of anybody I have seen. It was lovely to see a romance between two intelligent people who have plenty of lines on their faces instead of the typical 'Friends' twentysomethings. I honestly had to check the credits to make sure they weren't married to one another.

The writing overall is very well done, especially the conversations between Oliver and Diane, the two main characters. The plot has enough twists and turns to keep you interested and the humor is...well...very British. But very very funny. Highly recommended.

I finally got the chance to purchase a copy of this wonderful series on DVD. I had a taped copy of the PBS airing which I had watched over and over again. Now with the dvds I can watch it as much as I want without getting afraid the tape would wear out.

OLIVER'S TRAVELS is the story of two smart, funny and beautiful people (Alan Bates and Sinead Cusack) who meet while in the pursuit of a murder mystery. The repartee between the two is delicious. The acting is so good that you don't want the story to end.

These are probably two of the best actors from the UK. Just watch their faces when they are interacting and you'll know what I mean. And Sinead Cusack's quirky little smile just gets to me every time.

My favorite scene: their wedding vows at the cathedral. My favorite lines: Diane - Why did you get divorced?

Oliver - She said I never listened.

Diane - Was she right?

Oliver - I wasn't listening.

If you ever get the chance run, don't walk, to get a copy of the DVDs.

I have to agree that "Oliver's Travels" was one of the most enjoyable and cleaver mysteries I have seen on my PBS channel, I only regret two things. One that here in American we saw a cut down version of the series with several scenes deleted for time. And Second NO ONE HAS THOUGHT TO PUT THIS WONDERFUL SERIES OUT IN FULL ON VIDEO TAPE, EITHER HERE OR IN THE UNITED KINGDOM. I have a taped copy of the series and I have to admit my family has played it so often, that it is starting to wear out. For those who enjoyed this series, there is at least an Audio tape of the Alan Bates reading the story. Which also includes the often referred to but never told joke of "The Horse that like to sit on eggs" that Bates speaks about in the series. The tape "Oliver's Travels" is produced by Hodder Headline Audio Books, London ISBN # 1-85998-045-7