Oliver's Travels

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.

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!

My greatest complaint is that this one has never been committed to DVD or even VHS. I've never seen any explanation of why this one hasn't been put on the market. It's just too good for words.

One of the most brilliant, funny and delicious adventure romances I've ever seen. If you have ANY chance to see it, the acting is totally brilliant, great script, twists and turns in the story line and a delightful romance, as well.

Alan Bates, scene stealer par excellence in so many of his films, performs the title role of Oliver, who sets out to find the person behind his favorite series of crossword puzzles.

I won't even try to give you any of the zany antics which take place, yet all plausible, as he meets and falls for Sinead Cusak, that brilliant actress, certainly up to some quality scene stealing herself.

God bless the Brit acting community.

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.

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