Oliver's Travels

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.

The previous reviewer said this is not available on DVD but it is now. My husband and I saw this when it first was aired and now own a copy. Not only that we took a trip to England and Scotland for an anniversary trip using the site "Scotland the Movie" to determine some of the sites where the show was shot.

It is an excellent adventure of a redundant Professor who is looking for his favorite crossword setter and a suspended PC. Oliver is an avid puzzle solver and anagram man. They delve into things they shouldn't and are shadowed by the evil Mr Baxter as they travel across England and Scotland in search of missing crossword setter Aristotle. Love story, action, travelogue, and comedy. Highly recommended

I've shared the prior lamentations that "Oliver's Travels" was neither available on home video nor, to my knowledge, had it been repeated on PBS. Now, try AcornOnline--dot--you-know-what or, alternately, see the Amazon listing (less $$) for March 2005 delivery.

This miniseries is a delightful, skillful blend of humor, mystery, suspense, intrigue, crime, romance, history, and travelogue. Crosswords and anagrams also figure as important plot elements. (Oliver can make an anagram out of almost anything but his own name.)

At the story's center is a villainous multinational corporation which has sucked many of the characters into its vortex. Although details of this operation remain vague and shadowy to the end, the conclusion is nonetheless satisfying.

The "Travels" concluded in the Orkney Islands, and by then, I was ready to hop on the next plane to there.

So enjoyable on many levels! Absolutely first rate!

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.

When I first saw this on "Mystery" I was unsure I would like the show due to the fact that I had seen Alan Bates in only one other movie and really disliked his character. However, the miniseries proved to be quite lovely (it is really the only way to describe it). I am a fan of B-movies, horror and comedy and YET came away from this with a smile and a sigh of contentment. The interaction of the actors is seamless and highly professional. The movie is full of beautiful scenery and sweet nostalgia. I got my long-awaited copy of this in December but was disappointed to note that Diana Rigg's comments were absent from the DVD. I have other "Mystery" videos such as Ice House and Heat of the Sun (ok, that doesn't fit in with my purported preferred genres) both of which have the added information about the authors and the events related to the movie. Still, I heartily recommend this movie as a Saturday afternoon movie that leaves you with a smile and a brighter look on life. I also loved Mrs. Slokum (sp?) as the inn keeper.