The Barchester Chronicles

Starts off seeming as if it's going to be boring, but turns out to be a delight! It just takes awhile laying the foundation of your understanding of each of the characters. Very well done, witty and with excellent acting! - Some parts drag by, but not unbearably so and not often. I've shown this film to "action-addicted" teenagers and was pleasantly surprised with how enthralled they became with the story.

Ecclesiastical politics when your high............

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The location shots in cloisters give a very real impression of a withdrawn and contemplative clergy, obsessed with its own affairs and internal squabbles.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.

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.

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.