[go: up one dir, main page]

    Release calendarTop 250 moviesMost popular moviesBrowse movies by genreTop box officeShowtimes & ticketsMovie newsIndia movie spotlight
    What's on TV & streamingTop 250 TV showsMost popular TV showsBrowse TV shows by genreTV news
    What to watchLatest trailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily entertainment guideIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsEmmysSan Diego Comic-ConSummer Watch GuideToronto Int'l Film FestivalSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll events
    Born todayMost popular celebsCelebrity news
    Help centerContributor zonePolls
For industry professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign in
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
Episode guide
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • FAQ
IMDbPro

Cadfael

  • TV Series
  • 1994–1998
  • TV-14
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
3.4K
YOUR RATING
Derek Jacobi in Cadfael (1994)
The Cadfael Collection
Play trailer1:10
15 Videos
99+ Photos
Cozy MysteryPeriod DramaCrimeDramaMystery

The medieval era cases of a Crusader-turned-Monk who investigates mysteries in the Norman English town of Shrewsbury.The medieval era cases of a Crusader-turned-Monk who investigates mysteries in the Norman English town of Shrewsbury.The medieval era cases of a Crusader-turned-Monk who investigates mysteries in the Norman English town of Shrewsbury.

  • Stars
    • Derek Jacobi
    • Michael Culver
    • Julian Firth
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.1/10
    3.4K
    YOUR RATING
    • Stars
      • Derek Jacobi
      • Michael Culver
      • Julian Firth
    • 35User reviews
    • 21Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Episodes13

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated

    Videos15

    The Cadfael Collection: Disc 10
    Clip 1:17
    The Cadfael Collection: Disc 10
    The Cadfael Collection: Disc 12
    Clip 1:06
    The Cadfael Collection: Disc 12
    The Cadfael Collection: Disc 12
    Clip 1:06
    The Cadfael Collection: Disc 12
    The Cadfael Collection: Disc 9
    Clip 1:09
    The Cadfael Collection: Disc 9
    The Cadfael Collection: Disc 3
    Clip 1:30
    The Cadfael Collection: Disc 3
    The Cadfael Collection: Disc 11
    Clip 1:17
    The Cadfael Collection: Disc 11
    The Cadfael Collection: Disc 6
    Clip 1:14
    The Cadfael Collection: Disc 6

    Photos121

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    + 115
    View Poster

    Top cast99+

    Edit
    Derek Jacobi
    Derek Jacobi
    • Brother Cadfael
    • 1994–1998
    Michael Culver
    Michael Culver
    • Prior Robert
    • 1994–1998
    Julian Firth
    Julian Firth
    • Brother Jerome
    • 1994–1998
    Terrence Hardiman
    Terrence Hardiman
    • Abbot Radulfus
    • 1994–1998
    Mark Charnock
    Mark Charnock
    • Brother Oswin
    • 1994–1997
    Albie Woodington
    • Sergeant Warden
    • 1994–1997
    Eoin McCarthy
    Eoin McCarthy
    • Sheriff Hugh Beringar…
    • 1995–1997
    Sean Pertwee
    Sean Pertwee
    • Hugh Beringar
    • 1994
    Peter Copley
    Peter Copley
    • Abbot Heribert
    • 1994
    Raymond Llewellyn
    • Madog
    • 1994
    Anthony Green
    Anthony Green
    • Hugh Beringar
    • 1998
    Gábor Urmai
    Gábor Urmai
    • Jehan
    • 1994–1996
    Sarah Badel
    Sarah Badel
    • Avice of Thornbury…
    • 1994–1996
    Shane Hickmott
    • Brother Adam
    • 1998
    Steven Beard
    • Brother Anselm
    • 1994
    Robin Laing
    Robin Laing
    • Sulien…
    • 1998
    Julian Glover
    Julian Glover
    • Leoric Ashby
    • 1996
    John Bennett
    John Bennett
    • Lazarus the Leper
    • 1994
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews35

    8.13.3K
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    bs3dc

    Delightful Medieval Mystery Series

    Cadfael is a medieval detective series set in mid-12th Century Shrewsbury against the backdrop of a devastating civil war. It is based on the entertaining and popular series of novels by Ellis Peters, the pseudonym of Edith Pargeter. The protagonist is a Benedictine monk, Brother Cadfael, the crusader-turned-herbalist at the monastery of St. Peter and St. Paul, who finds that the only way to get justice for the corpses that come under his care is to investigate the murders himself.

    Many of the intricacies and sub-plots that brought such life to the source material are cut out to fit the stories into 75 minutes. Only 13 episodes of the 20 available books were filmed, which is a shame, although from reading the entire series I would say that arguably the best stories got through. The adaptations are good despite their limitations, but it is noticeable when the original (and superior) dialogue is used. The sets and costumes look great and the Hungarian location is a more than adequate substitute. The authenticity in the series is much higher than in most films set in the era.

    The role of Brother Cadfael is played brilliantly by Sir Derek Jacobi, who delivers a performance that really brings out the different facets of the complex character of a former crusader and sailor who settles for a quiet life in a monastery. Though he was not the first choice for the role, it is hard to see how anyone could have improved upon his work except to perhaps bring out more of the Welshman in him. The support is mostly excellent, with actors such as Terence Hardiman, Julian Firth, Michael Culver etc. turning in memorable performances. It is a shame that they could not have had more consistent casting of law man Hugh Beringar and it is not just the actor that changed – he went from being a level-headed and intelligent man in the Sean Pertwee era to someone who believed in testing guilt by throwing the accused in a river during the Anthony Green phase! Unfortunately occasionally there is some unintentional hilarity from the poor dubbing of the Hungarian extras.

    Cadfael is worth seeking out if for no other reason than because it is a refreshing change from the CSI-type mysteries that fill our screens, with a different setting and a focus on knowledge of human behaviour rather than forensics (though Cadfael is well ahead of his time in the latter discipline!).
    MrBigglesworth

    Cadfael

    Cadfael is, in my opinion, one of the best sleuths in the category of mystery-solvers. He really is a very enjoyable character. And Derek Jacobi does a wonderful job in portrayal. The stance, the voice, the entire person is so true to the book. This is one must-see mystery series!
    9guanche

    CSI Goes Medieval . Part Whodunnit and part history lesson. Well done and entertaining.

    A literate and highbrow series about a medieval herbalist monk who uses his knowledge to solve crimes. More interesting and much less voyeuristic than CSI and kindred shows.

    Most of the previous reviewers did a good job of describing the nature of the series and how truly well acted and off beat it is. Rather than reiterate their commentary, I would like to focus on the show's realistic portrayal of the times. The vast majority of medieval films and/or shows go to inaccurate extremes. In the 50s and 60s, all the women wore brassieres and had Lady Clairol hairdos. The guys were all clean shaven Brylcream men with slicked back pompadours. And everyone's clothes looked freshly pressed and drycleaned. In the 70s, the trend went to the other extreme. All, even the well off, were dressed in filthy, tattered clothes and looked as if they did indeed bathe daily---in a vat of manure. Lots of teeth were missing from every mouth and every face covered with running sores. There was no middle ground between the squeaky clean people and places of the 50s "Robin Hood" series (a good adventure show nonetheless) and the comically exaggerated filth and squalor of Monty Python's "Jabberwocky."

    The Cadfael series provided that balance. The set designs and costumes were very accurate renderings of what actually existed at the time, and the series credibly demonstrated how people of that era went about their daily business and social lives. Many, especially the poor, were certainly ragged and unkempt, but few, rich or poor, were oblivious to the appearance of their homes or themselves. Another aspect of this show missing from most similar efforts was it's attempt to show how the tradespeople and middle class of the time worked and lived. Most "medieval" films perpetuate the myth that society was strictly divided into "have everythings" and "have nothings". Everyone is either an aristocrat or a starving, oppressed serf dressed in rags. This show actually gives the viewer an idea of how much more varied and complex medieval society really was.

    A first rate show, even more so for the historically literate. Although some of the later episodes hobbled their plots with ponderous soap opera "blasts from the past" from Cadfael's former life as a crusader, I was sad to see the series end. I never read any of the books, but understand that there are still a few that have not been filmed. I would love to see the series revived, although this winning combination of casting and production would be hard to repeat and harder still to beat.
    kikkapi20

    A performance of a master from Dereck Jacobi.

    This is a great, great show. that manages to mix mystery with an authentic period feel. I have always been interested in the middle ages. i loved this show the first time i saw an episode on PBS. Great mysteries, interesting characters and a good feel for period- although the people are a bit clean most of the time; really love the interplay between Cadfael, standing for logic, rationality, and the power of the human brain to perceive the world and the characters of brother prior/brother Jerome standing for dogma, doctrine and rigid interpretations of the world based on religious hocus pocus. Derek Jacobi shines as brother Cadfael, bringing his wonderful talent to the role and delivering a sterling performance each time. It is so easy to love Cadfael, with his strong sense of justice and dry wit. not to mention his rebellious streak. MUST WATCH!
    10jfrada

    an excellent medieval whodunit

    I first watched this show believing it would be another dull British detective story, I was wrong it was an excellent show about a medieval monk who uses deductive reasoning to solve murders. The show also gives you a sense of what life was like in the middle ages. A lot of medieval stories concentrate on brutality of the times while this one shows the day to day affairs of normal people, the culture ,the church, the politics and how it affects the murder of the victims.

    I have since read the Ellis Peters novels and quite simply this is one case where the TV show is better than the books it was based on. I highly recommend watching this show if you like murder mysteries.

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Several of the names and occupations of the monks in the series are actually from a record book from the Abbey of St. Peter and St. Paul in Shrewsbury, England. Some of these include Cadfael, Robert, Jerome, and Heribut.
    • Goofs
      Female characters are invariably exquisitely made up with the most modern tones of foundation, blusher and lipstick. After HD was introduced this became more noticeable.
    • Connections
      Featured in Drama Trails: 'Secret Diary of a Call Girl' to 'London's Burning' (2008)

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    FAQ

    • How many seasons does Mystery!: Cadfael have?Powered by Alexa
    • When and where is the series set in history?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 22, 1996 (France)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Mystery!: Cadfael
    • Filming locations
      • Fót Studios, Budapest, Hungary(Shrewsbury)
    • Production company
      • Central Television
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit pageAdd episode

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb App
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.