This series is based on two of Anthony Trollope's books. The first two episodes cover the events in 'The Warden' and the remaining five 'Barchester Towers'.
In the opening two episodes the Warden of Hiram's Hospital, the kind-hearted Rev Septimus Harding, finds himself at the centre of a campaign against certain aspects of the Church of England; most notably the amount certain members of the clergy earn. The situation isn't helped by the fact that sees the other side's point of view and the local leader of the campaign is courting his younger daughter, Eleanor.
The remaining five episode take place sometime later; Rev Harding is no longer The Warden; Eleanor has wed, had a son and been widowed and the old bishop has died. These episodes see the arrival of Bishop Proudie and his domineering wife as well as the bishop's chaplain the odious Rev Slope (he changed his name from Slop). We also meet the colourful Stanhope who have recently returned from Italy. The Wardenship of Hiram's Hospital is open again and Slope is determined that the 'right' man must get the job; at first the post is offered to Mr Quiverful, a poor vicar with fourteen children, but when he learns of Eleanor's wealth he decides it might be a good idea to give the job to her father so she will look favourably on any proposal he might make. Unfortunately for him Mrs Proudie has already discussed the posting with Mrs Quiverful and is determined not to be made a liar of.
This series is an utter delight; the opening two episodes are enjoyable but things get even better in the final five thanks to the introduction of so many great new characters and the loss of a couple of the less interesting characters. The cast is full of familiar faces, some who were already establish and others who will go on to be very well known. This cast does a really good job; Donald Pleasence is great as Rev Harding; there are also impressive performances from Janet Maw and Angela Pleasence, as his daughters; Nigel Hawthorne, as his son-in-law the Archdeacon; Barbara Flynn, as the sister of Eleanor's late husband; Susan Hampshire, as the 'scandalous' La Signora Madeline Vesey Neroni; and Clive Swift as Bishop Proudie. However the most memorable performances come from Geraldine McEwan who gives an imperious performance as Mrs Proudie and Alan Rickman who is a delight as the smarmy Slope. I haven't read the books so can't say how close these adaptions are but I can say the stories are witty and packed with great characters and never feature material that could offend I heartily recommend this series.
In the opening two episodes the Warden of Hiram's Hospital, the kind-hearted Rev Septimus Harding, finds himself at the centre of a campaign against certain aspects of the Church of England; most notably the amount certain members of the clergy earn. The situation isn't helped by the fact that sees the other side's point of view and the local leader of the campaign is courting his younger daughter, Eleanor.
The remaining five episode take place sometime later; Rev Harding is no longer The Warden; Eleanor has wed, had a son and been widowed and the old bishop has died. These episodes see the arrival of Bishop Proudie and his domineering wife as well as the bishop's chaplain the odious Rev Slope (he changed his name from Slop). We also meet the colourful Stanhope who have recently returned from Italy. The Wardenship of Hiram's Hospital is open again and Slope is determined that the 'right' man must get the job; at first the post is offered to Mr Quiverful, a poor vicar with fourteen children, but when he learns of Eleanor's wealth he decides it might be a good idea to give the job to her father so she will look favourably on any proposal he might make. Unfortunately for him Mrs Proudie has already discussed the posting with Mrs Quiverful and is determined not to be made a liar of.
This series is an utter delight; the opening two episodes are enjoyable but things get even better in the final five thanks to the introduction of so many great new characters and the loss of a couple of the less interesting characters. The cast is full of familiar faces, some who were already establish and others who will go on to be very well known. This cast does a really good job; Donald Pleasence is great as Rev Harding; there are also impressive performances from Janet Maw and Angela Pleasence, as his daughters; Nigel Hawthorne, as his son-in-law the Archdeacon; Barbara Flynn, as the sister of Eleanor's late husband; Susan Hampshire, as the 'scandalous' La Signora Madeline Vesey Neroni; and Clive Swift as Bishop Proudie. However the most memorable performances come from Geraldine McEwan who gives an imperious performance as Mrs Proudie and Alan Rickman who is a delight as the smarmy Slope. I haven't read the books so can't say how close these adaptions are but I can say the stories are witty and packed with great characters and never feature material that could offend I heartily recommend this series.