Monsignor Renard

This film shows most of the horrors of war without being too graphic. The actors portray their characters wonderfully, whether you hate the character or love them. Every character has a depth that seems to be hard to find. You can't help but become emotionally involved.

I found the miniseries heart touching and an exceptionally humane.The priest monsignor Renard was shown not just as a God servant, but as a brother, friend and before all a man. The atmosphere felt realistic - the Germans are not all bad and the french are not all good. It seem that they all are trapped in the war, and have somehow to survive and continue with their lives.

John Thaw was just superb in the role of Monsignor Renard. I simply loved how without saying much, he managed to show through his eyes, the complexity of his character.

There for I would suggest to anyone that likes the actor to watch it.

After a twenty year absence, Monsignor Renard returns to his home village to take up the position vacated by his predecessor, no sooner has he arrived, The Germans occupy the village.

What an absolute gem of a series this is, first rate in every single aspect. A fascinating watch, think of what a series Allo Allo would have been, if it was made as a straight up drama.

The first and final episodes are both hugely gritty and dramatic, the middle two focus more on day to day life, as The French try to love alongside their Nazi invaders.

So much happens, you're made to consider the second world war from an entirely different perspective, easy to forget that this situation actually happened. We have love, hatred, we see collaborators and resistance.

Visually stunning, awesome sets, tremendous costumes, it looks so wonderfully authentic.

The acting is first rate, John Thaw is awesome as the main character, so different to Morse, Cheryl Campbell and Dominic Monaghan both impress equally as much.

How sad it ended after just four episodes, there were definitely more stories to be told here.

Terrific series, a wonderful watch, 10/10.

I thought this movie was so amazing! The acting was spectacular and the plot and everything about it. I saw it on KLRU on every sunday night that it came on. I think that the last part that the station showed, was the best. I've seen a lot of WWII movies and I have to say this has been the best by far!

This unsung series went almost unnoticed when first broadcast. Like Foyle's War, it stares right in the face of some of the unpalatable truths about WW2. It's a gem. Sadly only four episodes exist, I think.

French and British people on the Home Front didn't all behave stoically. There was more collaboration than Resistance in France and very little Resistance at all for the first two years. Monsignor Renard is set in The Forbidden Zone, in the fictional village of St Jos-sur-Mer, close to Calais and focuses entirely on the life of the village, rather than the war, which comes to an abrupt halt halfway through the first episode. The excellent portrayal of everyday life under occupation tops everything recent and contains some great performances from Thaw, Cheryl Campbell, Andrew McCulloch and a very classy crew of native German actors.

Unfortunately, it was just getting into its stride when the plug was pulled and John Thaw, who was never better, tragically passed away. But what there is, is good enough. If you felt short changed by Charlotte Gray, or even if you liked it, you'll enjoy this more.