The Barchester Chronicles 

When a crusade against the Church of England's practice of self-enrichment misfires, scandal taints the cozy community of Barchester when their local church becomes the object of a scathing, investigative report.

Stars:

Donald Pleasence, Janet Maw, Nigel Hawthorne

1 win & 7 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Donald Pleasence	...	Rev. Septimus Harding 7 episodes, 1982
Janet Maw	...	Eleanor Bold / ... 7 episodes, 1982
Nigel Hawthorne	...	Archdeacon Theophilus Grantly 7 episodes, 1982
Angela Pleasence	...	Susan Grantly 7 episodes, 1982
Barbara Flynn	...	Mary Bold 6 episodes, 1982
Clive Swift	...	Bishop Proudie 5 episodes, 1982
Geraldine McEwan	...	Mrs. Proudie 5 episodes, 1982
Alan Rickman	...	Obadiah Slope 5 episodes, 1982
Susan Hampshire	...	La Signora Madeline Vesey Neroni 5 episodes, 1982
Susan Edmonstone	...	Charlotte Stanhope 5 episodes, 1982
Peter Blythe	...	Bertie Stanhope 5 episodes, 1982
Joseph O'Conor	...	Mr. Bunce 4 episodes, 1982
William Redgrave	...	Samuel Grantly 3 episodes, 1982
Cyril Luckham	...	Bishop Grantly 3 episodes, 1982
Christopher Maynard	...	Baby John Bold 3 episodes, 1982
Jonathan Adams	...	Mr. Quiverful 3 episodes, 1982
Maggie Jones	...	Letitia Quiverful 3 episodes, 1982
Clifford Parrish	...	Abel Handy 3 episodes, 1982
Derek New	...	Francis Arabin 3 episodes, 1982
David Gwillim	...	John Bold 2 episodes, 1982
Trevor Baxter	...	Dr. Gwynne 2 episodes, 1982
George Costigan	...	Tom Towers 2 episodes, 1982
Wally Thomas	...	Mr. Moody 2 episodes, 1982
Richard Bebb	...	Dr. Vesey Stanhope 2 episodes, 1982
Kenneth Keeling	...	Mr. Gazy 2 episodes, 1982
Denis Carey	...	Job Skulpit 2 episodes, 1982
Richard Leech	...	Wilfred Thorne 2 episodes, 1982
Ursula Howells	...	Miss Thorne 2 episodes, 1982

Storyline

The Barchester Chronicles, a BBC miniseries, is adapted from two mid-19th century novels by Anthony Trollope. When a crusade against the Church of England's practice of self-enrichment misfires, scandal taints the cozy community of Barchester when their local church becomes the object of a scathing report about the use of church funds. Consequently, an honorable middle-aged clergyman (Donald Pleasence) is forced into moral crisis and a conflict with his son-in-law, a pompous archdeacon (Nigel Hawthorne) and his youngest daughter's beloved (David Gwillim). The arrival of a new bishop (Clive Swift), his domineering wife (Geraldine McEwan), and a devious chaplain (Alan Rickman) - who may be hiding secrets - add to the dramatic scheming and complex power struggles among a colorful cast of characters.

---

Plot Keywords:

henpecked husband | bishop | tv mini series | face slap | church of england | 

---

Genres:

Drama

---

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 November 1982 (UK)

Also Known As:

The Barchester Chronicles

Filming Locations:

Peterborough Cathedral, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

385 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Reverend Harding's daughter Susan was played by Donald Pleasence's own daughter, Angela Pleasence.

---

Quotes

Rev. Septimus Harding: It seems to be a very fine legal quibble.
Archdeacon Grantly: Sir Abraham specializes in fine legal quibbles.

---

Connections

Followed by Doctor Thorne (2016)

User Reviews

Very interesting character study with enough humor to bring you through the slower bits.

Starts off seeming as if it's going to be boring, but turns out to be a delight! It just takes awhile laying the foundation of your understanding of each of the characters. Very well done, witty and with excellent acting! - Some parts drag by, but not unbearably so and not often. I've shown this film to "action-addicted" teenagers and was pleasantly surprised with how enthralled they became with the story.