terrible... so disappointed.

Some things I liked some I did not.

Perfectly adorable

an ambitious but ultimately ineffective debut endeavor.

The Barchester Chronicles (1982) was directed by David Giles. Anthony Trollope was a genius. The question was whether Director Giles was capable enough to to trust Trollope's plot, and find the actors capable of portraying Trollope's characters. Giles carried it off with skill and finesse.The movie has the usual excellent production values we have come to expect from the BBC. The fictional cathedral town of Barchester is reproduced in Peterborough. Donald Pleasence plays Rev. Septimus Harding. Harding is a kind and gentle man, but he has a backbone when that's what's needed.Donald Pleasence is often cast as a villain. Here, he is anything but a villain. His acting skills were amazing.Geraldine McEwan is outstanding in the role of Mrs. Proudie, the wife of the new bishop.This was Alan Rickman's first major role. He portrays Obadiah Slope, chaplain to the Bishop. He's sly, well spoken, clever, and unprincipled. Rickman was made for this role, and her performs it perfectly.Even if you don't like Victorian novels, this is a movie worth seeing. I highly recommend it. P.S. Angela Pleasence is the daughter of Donald Pleasence. She plays the role of his daughter in the series. It's clear that she inherited her father's acting skills.

I have been waiting more than a decade for this version to be released in the US, and finally my wait is over. When it first aired on Masterpiece Theater, I was transfixed by the story, the acting, and the sets. Watching this production 2 decades later confirms my earlier opinion that Barchester Chronicles is one of the very best of the Brit adaptations ever to appear in America.The story concentrates on the private and public lives of clergymen and their families in a cathedral town of the Victorian age. Political intrigue, romance, and situation comedy are deftly interwoven by Trollope's magical hand. What makes this production so wonderful, though, is the acting. Can anyone imagine a Machiavelli more accomplished and doomed than Alan Rickman as the bestial Obadiah Slope? Could anyone else play the awful Mrs. Proudie as well as Geraldine McEwan? Could any other actors than Donald Pleasance and Nigel Hawthorne make believable their affection despite persistent differences of opinion? A host of minor characters rounds out the cast, including the wonderfully irresponsible Bertie Stanhope (Peter Blythe) and his scheming sister Madeline (Susan Hampshire), the marvelously weak pawn of a bishop (Clive Swift) and the delightfully vague Susan Grantly (Angela Pleasance). Absolutely splendid!The first two hours are on the slow side, to be sure. However, once the new Bishop and his entourage arrive on the scene, there is nonstop action and amusement for another five episodes. If you have never read Trollope, this production will send you to the library!

Alan Rickman was apparently the second choice for the part of Obadiah Slope. I have no idea who the original selection was - but I bet he's been kicking himself ever since!In the book, Slope is portrayed as a somewhat uneasy cross between a buffoon and a disturbing snake in the grass. Every time he threatens to become too dangerous, Trollope proceeds to undermine him again.I believe that the reason why Rickman was offered the part is because the director wanted an actor who could come across as amusing and sleazy, yet plausibly creepy - and sexy.Slope HAS to possess a great deal of animal magnetism, as this is what explains the extremely strong reaction he produces in otherwise respectable ladies of whatever age.Rickman certainly gets THAT across - in spades. He may not be conventionally good-looking - but he's totally incapable of playing an asexual character.Problem is, he ends up completely overwhelming Mrs Bold's other two suitors. Any heterosexual female viewer with any sense will keep shouting at the screen: "You daft bat! Forget Arabin! It's Slope you want!!!!!"I agree, Arabin is far better served by the book than this adaptation.

At 19 years of age and having been involved in the Church of England for most of my life, I watched Barchester unfold week by week with bated breath. I couldn't wait for each new episode. I knew all the characters! I'd met them before! I saw them week by week in real life. My Church of England was just the same as that, only 150 years later. ok, well not quite, but those of you who have seen Barchester know what I mean. Superlative casting, acting, sets. No wonder it has just been voted as the most wanted repeat on BBC. It makes me laugh out loud and then cry too. If you've not seen it, then make sure that you do - soon!