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IMDbPro

The Barchester Chronicles

  • TV Mini Series
  • 1982
  • 6h 25m
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
1.3K
YOUR RATING
Alan Rickman, Nigel Hawthorne, and Angela Pleasence in The Barchester Chronicles (1982)
Drama

When a crusade against the Church of England's practice of self-enrichment misfires, scandal taints the cozy community of Barchester when their local church becomes the object of a scathing,... Read allWhen a crusade against the Church of England's practice of self-enrichment misfires, scandal taints the cozy community of Barchester when their local church becomes the object of a scathing, investigative report.When a crusade against the Church of England's practice of self-enrichment misfires, scandal taints the cozy community of Barchester when their local church becomes the object of a scathing, investigative report.

  • Stars
    • Donald Pleasence
    • Janet Maw
    • Nigel Hawthorne
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.1/10
    1.3K
    YOUR RATING
    • Stars
      • Donald Pleasence
      • Janet Maw
      • Nigel Hawthorne
    • 23User reviews
    • 3Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 BAFTA Award
      • 1 win & 7 nominations total

    Episodes7

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    TopTop-rated1 season1982

    Photos11

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    Top cast43

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    Donald Pleasence
    Donald Pleasence
    • Septimus Harding
    • 1982
    Janet Maw
    • Eleanor
    • 1982
    Nigel Hawthorne
    Nigel Hawthorne
    • Dr. Grantly
    • 1982
    Angela Pleasence
    Angela Pleasence
    • Mrs. Grantly
    • 1982
    Barbara Flynn
    Barbara Flynn
    • Mary Bold
    • 1982
    Clive Swift
    Clive Swift
    • Dr. Proudie
    • 1982
    Alan Rickman
    Alan Rickman
    • Obadiah Slope
    • 1982
    Geraldine McEwan
    Geraldine McEwan
    • Mrs. Proudie
    • 1982
    Susan Hampshire
    Susan Hampshire
    • La Signora Madeline Vesey Neroni
    • 1982
    Susan Edmonstone
    • Charlotte Stanhope
    • 1982
    Peter Blythe
    Peter Blythe
    • Bertie Stanhope
    • 1982
    Joseph O'Conor
    Joseph O'Conor
    • Bunce
    • 1982
    William Redgrave
    • Samuel Grantly
    • 1982
    Cyril Luckham
    Cyril Luckham
    • Bishop Grantly
    • 1982
    Christopher Maynard
    • Baby Bold
    • 1982
    Jonathan Adams
    Jonathan Adams
    • Quiverful
    • 1982
    Maggie Jones
    • Mrs. Quiverful
    • 1982
    Clifford Parrish
    • Handy
    • 1982
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews23

    8.11.2K
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    Featured reviews

    9wordsmith_57

    A Britsh adaptation at its best!

    Even though American, I cannot get enough of English literature transferred to cinema. And The Barchester Chronicles is a recent find to my growing list of favorites. However, in this case I discovered the two disc DVD set at my local library before I had read the author's works. I will definitely be reading the Trollope books now that I have seen the filmed adaptation. Granted the beginning was a bit slow, and didn't really pick up until the slithery Obadiah Slope came into the plot. I then could not watch only one installment and ended up watching all of them, making for a long, yet extremely satisfying viewing session. I am glad my first viewing experience of Alan Rickman was his portrayal of Colonel Brandon from Emma Thompson's Sense and Sensibility. The caring, compassionate gentleman he played was a far opposite of the self-centered, ingratiating slime of Obadiah Slope in The Barchester Chronicles. Donald Pleasance, who has usually played villains to some degree, was the glue of the series. Soft spoken and humble, yet at times passionately stirred to compelling argument, his rendering of Septimus Harding made me wish I could have someone like Mr. Harding in real life to remind me of the joys of loving life and putting others before my own needs.

    The Barchester Chronicles is now added to my list of British series favorites including All Creatures Great and Small, Horatio Hornblower, and Pride and Prejudice. I look forward to the day when Americans can lovingly and consistently render our classics into worthy viewing.
    10VReviews

    Great Entertainment, Classic BBC

    There's just nothing better than a BBC drama set in England in the 1800's. The ensemble cast plays each character archetype to perfection. The romantic & societal intrigue of the town of Barchester centers on the ambitions of the church clergy, which proves quite entertaining. The dialogue of this adaptation is excellent. A young Alan Rickman superbly plays the conniving Reverend Obadiah Slope, echoing his later tour de force performance as Professor Snape in the Harry Potter movies.

    Enjoyable, like a Shakespearian comedy, leaving the viewer well satisfied.
    hgallon

    Faithfully serene

    This was another historical series of novels, which the BBC faithfully adhered to (and they managed to run two unequally-sized volumes, "The Warden" and "Barchester Towers", together without the join showing).

    Donald Pleasance, normally noted for playing Bond villains, played the modest and unctuous Septimus Harding brilliantly. Nigel Hawthorne, as his son-in-law Dr. Grantly, provided the perfect combative foil. However, Alan Rickman, in one of his first major roles as the scheming Obadiah Slope, may have stolen the show. Clive Swift, as the henpecked Bishop of Barchester, established and refined the character he was later to play as the husband of Hyacinth Bouquet in "real" comedy.

    The location shots in cloisters give a very real impression of a withdrawn and contemplative clergy, obsessed with its own affairs and internal squabbles. The jarring note of the first two or three episodes, when John Bold questions whether a long-established tradition connected with a charitable bequest is indeed in the interests of the recipients of that charity, shows the how uneasy the various clerical characters are when dealing with the world outside.

    Many of the shots in scenes in a flat countryside seemingly locked into August throughout the eight episodes which covered a span of several years, also give the impression of withdrawal from the day-to-day life of any activity but that of the church.

    As an examination of the mores and attitudes of his period, Anthony Trollope produced a brilliant pair of novels. The BBC have produced an equally brilliant adaptation, although slow enough in pace to be almost soporific in parts.
    fionapymont

    Alan Rickman is a great virtue - and a great problem

    Alan Rickman was apparently the second choice for the part of Obadiah Slope. I have no idea who the original selection was - but I bet he's been kicking himself ever since!

    In the book, Slope is portrayed as a somewhat uneasy cross between a buffoon and a disturbing snake in the grass. Every time he threatens to become too dangerous, Trollope proceeds to undermine him again.

    I believe that the reason why Rickman was offered the part is because the director wanted an actor who could come across as amusing and sleazy, yet plausibly creepy - and sexy.

    Slope HAS to possess a great deal of animal magnetism, as this is what explains the extremely strong reaction he produces in otherwise respectable ladies of whatever age.

    Rickman certainly gets THAT across - in spades. He may not be conventionally good-looking - but he's totally incapable of playing an asexual character.

    Problem is, he ends up completely overwhelming Mrs Bold's other two suitors. Any heterosexual female viewer with any sense will keep shouting at the screen: "You daft bat! Forget Arabin! It's Slope you want!!!!!"

    I agree, Arabin is far better served by the book than this adaptation.
    9Bernie-56

    Sensitive Trollope adaptation

    One of the best Trollope adaptations in recent years. A true classic that will delight lovers of the 'Barchester' novels through more than one viewing. Adapted from the first two novels, 'The Warden' and 'Barchester Towers'. All the cast are well matched to their roles.

    Of note: It seems newspapers have changed little in 150 years. The fictional 'The Jupiter' ('The Times' very thinly disguised) is just as sanctimonious and irritating as today's press. Clive Swift as Bishop Proudie is, well, another bumbling Clive Swift. Alan Rickman gives an excellent performance as the ingratiating humbug Rev Slope (formerly Mr Slop). Slope's Cathedral sermon on the demerits of music in the evangelical church (Ep. 2) is brilliant, as is his marriage proposal to Mrs Bold (Ep. 4).

    Father and daughter Donald and Angela Pleasance play father and daughter Mr Harding and Mrs Grantly.

    A weak point is the character is the second romantic interest of Mrs Bold, The Rev Francis Arabin. In the series he seems a rather dull of stick of about 40, much older than Mrs Bold, and it hard to see why a mid-twenties, attractive and wealthy widow would be in the least attracted to him. He is well spoken and intelligent but otherwise most unprepossesing. In the novel, however, Trollope devotes an full chapter to his history and the minute description of his personality and character. As a result it is quite clear why Mrs Bold found him so desirable from their first meeting.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Donald Pleasence was cast as Septimus Harding at short notice after the death of Arthur Lowe, who was originally cast in the role but passed away just before filming started.
    • Quotes

      Rev. Septimus Harding: I am safe because the church has more money than the reformers. And because of a fine legal quibble, I'm safe.

      Archdeacon Grantly: Yes.

      Rev. Septimus Harding: Does Sir Abraham say anything about the morality of the situation?

      Archdeacon Grantly: Certainly not! The legal profession does not concern itself with morality.

      Bishop Grantly: Our department, is it not?

      Rev. Septimus Harding: Forgive me, Bishop, Archdeacan: if the world considers me to be a thief, it is of small comfort to know that a "fine legal quibble" says that I am not! Excuse me.

      [exits]

      Archdeacon Grantly: My father in law can be a very difficult person.

      Bishop Grantly: He has persistent bouts of Christianity.

    • Connections
      Featured in The Two Loves of Anthony Trollope (2004)

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    FAQ14

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 10, 1982 (United Kingdom)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Барчестерские хроники
    • Filming locations
      • Peterborough Cathedral, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, England, UK(Barchester Cathedral)
    • Production company
      • British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      6 hours 25 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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