Oliver's Travels

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!

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.

Alan Bates and Sinead Cusack are fortuitously thrown together in search of a renowned crossword compiler gone missing after apparently some connection with murders and a sinister, shady corporation lurking in the background. Their search takes them on an odyssey through the north of England, Scotland and finally to the Orkney Islands.

This is a romantic comedy/caper rather than a hard-edged thriller, propped up by a wonderful rapport between Bates and Cusack rather than nail-biting scenes and complicated plotting. In fact the details surrounding the sinister corporation I thought were vague and unconvincing but hardly important to the enjoyment of the adventure. Consequently, the entertainment value derives more from the romantic entanglement and witty dialogue between Bates and Cusack unfolding against the beautiful stark landscapes of Britain. 8/10

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.

I saw this mini-series on "Mystery" on PBS and absolutely loved it. I usually hate movies/shows with a romantic bent but Alan Bates and Sinead Cusack have the most wonderful (and non-saccharine) chemistry of anybody I have seen. It was lovely to see a romance between two intelligent people who have plenty of lines on their faces instead of the typical 'Friends' twentysomethings. I honestly had to check the credits to make sure they weren't married to one another.

The writing overall is very well done, especially the conversations between Oliver and Diane, the two main characters. The plot has enough twists and turns to keep you interested and the humor is...well...very British. But very very funny. Highly recommended.