A Horseman Riding By

The books were, without doubt, extraordinary in their depiction of the age and families within those years. They were well written and absorbing. The script writers and the director had a lot from which to translate the book to the screen. They succeeded partially. At times the acting was so contrived that it was seemed to be a lesson in how not to act. It was rather like a play put on by a village dramatic society. The writers and director were saved by some very good acting by the leading actors and actresses but it must be said that this was because of very good casting. All the leads, except Glyn Houston, were acting themselves. 1978 people the same characters as in 1903? Yes but the genre is fast fading in the present Britain. What a tragedy.

This series based on the Horseman Trilogy of R.F.Delderfield has a rather rocky start, but after a change of directors after episode 5, it becomes much better. So much so that I wish the series had been completed rather than left at the end of WWI. Presumably it wasn't drawing the audience that the BBC wanted, so they pulled the plug. With the change in direction, the story is filled out, but lack of context for characters in the previous episodes must leave those who have not read the books wondering what is going on. Nigel Havers and Prunella Ransome grow on you just like the series. Havers, then a young actor, ages very well, so does Ransome.

I watched this back in 78 (aged 12) before reading the novels. The adaptation is solid, but generally uninspiring with 'comedy yokels' playing the Devonians. Glyn Houston was by far the most effective member of the cast imo. It's worth watching as an example of the kind of product the BBC was turning out at the time... no doubt they were looking for another Poldark. However, if you really want a fine adaptation of RF Delderfield then 'To Serve Them All My Days' from 1981 is far better.

I was very disappointed with the TV version. A Horseman Riding By is my favourite book/s. No Icky Palfrey in the first series, and I thought that was one of the lynch pin characters in the book. No Uncle Franz? I liked Nigel in the part, but felt him a bit wooden at first and I was quite disappointed in the presentation of what is to me a very classic series of books. It's out on DVD, but I felt the casting was very good bar the exclusion of Icky. Why did they decide to do that? Maybe the direction was at fault? But it should be a much longer series, and end after vol.3.

Maybe they will bring it back one day.