Monsignor Renard

Monsignor Renard's only flaw was how abruptly it ended, the show really did feel incomplete and cried out for another series at least. And it probably would have done if it hadn't fallen victim to costs, with location shooting being expensive and the financial crisis at the time, and if John Thaw hadn't died so ultimely two years later. Its cancellation was nothing to do with lack of quality, if remembered correctly from what I read about it it was a ratings success and those who've seen and remember it do so fondly. It is a shame really because Monsignor Renard was a great series; it was very well-made with splendid locations(the scenery is the equal of that in A Year in Provence, another John Thaw gem and also shot in France) and the photography was professional and allowed us to enjoy it. The music was mostly understated while having some searing and suspenseful without being obvious. Monsignor Renard was intelligently scripted and is very thought-provoking; characterisation-wise it doesn't quite avoid stereotypes but the characters are interesting at least and while the Germans are more sympathetic than the French here Monsignor Renard doesn't try to be too one-sided. With the story there was a sense of the uneasiness and tension of the time but also how good the leadership was between the character and there is always room for a good-natured and warm-hearted approach, both of which Monsignor Renard has. The cast play their parts beautifully with the accents more than convincing. Cheryl Campbell, Andrew McCulloch and Dominic Monaghan are great but acting honours do belong to John Thaw in a role that is not quite among his best work(Morse, Kavanagh, The Sweeney, Goodnight Mister Tom) but stands out favourably among his latter work. He is classy and commanding and communicates a lot and sometimes just with his face and eyes. All in all, a great series that deserved a stronger resolution and better chance than what it got. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Of all the TV series dealing with WW2 this one stands out as being very different. For a change Monsignor Renard deals with the everyday lives of a small Northern French village seen through the eyes of it's priest. The Germans are not all seen as the Nazi brutes of common perception, neither are the all the French brave resistance fighters. These are human stories showing how the conquering Germans learned to live with the conquered French and visa verse.

The acting is spot on, I've read that John Thaw was considered wrong for the part, no way, he shines throughout. Spot a young Dominic Monahagn who has gone on to Hollywood stardom in the Lord of the Rings saga amongst others.

It's a shame a second series was not commissioned, IMDb says it was because of low ratings for the first but I think it was more due to John Thaw's declining health, he died in 2002 less than two years after the series was screened.

The premise is still a good one and could be revived for a remake with more than one series. Come on, there must be a production company out there willing to take it on.

After a twenty year absence, Monsignor Renard returns to his home village to take up the position vacated by his predecessor, no sooner has he arrived, The Germans occupy the village.

What an absolute gem of a series this is, first rate in every single aspect. A fascinating watch, think of what a series Allo Allo would have been, if it was made as a straight up drama.

The first and final episodes are both hugely gritty and dramatic, the middle two focus more on day to day life, as The French try to love alongside their Nazi invaders.

So much happens, you're made to consider the second world war from an entirely different perspective, easy to forget that this situation actually happened. We have love, hatred, we see collaborators and resistance.

Visually stunning, awesome sets, tremendous costumes, it looks so wonderfully authentic.

The acting is first rate, John Thaw is awesome as the main character, so different to Morse, Cheryl Campbell and Dominic Monaghan both impress equally as much.

How sad it ended after just four episodes, there were definitely more stories to be told here.

Terrific series, a wonderful watch, 10/10.

I found the miniseries heart touching and an exceptionally humane.The priest monsignor Renard was shown not just as a God servant, but as a brother, friend and before all a man. The atmosphere felt realistic - the Germans are not all bad and the french are not all good. It seem that they all are trapped in the war, and have somehow to survive and continue with their lives.

John Thaw was just superb in the role of Monsignor Renard. I simply loved how without saying much, he managed to show through his eyes, the complexity of his character.

There for I would suggest to anyone that likes the actor to watch it.

While the plot and the meanings of the movie were well done, and heartfelt, character development was not the greatest. It was hard to know who was who, until part three. Personally, as a Dominic Monaghan Fan, I was disappointed in his quite small roll, but still, seeing Dom Monaghan's early work was good.

The movie made you feel like you were actually in that time, and made you question yourself a lot. It was touching, but gruesome in some parts. The emotions and the way the characters act really put you in their shoes. The movie lets you in onto the World of Monsignor Renard. I personally thought this movie was well done, and good.