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.

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Plot Keywords:

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

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 November 1982 (UK)

Also Known As:

Kroniki Barchesteru

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

Mr. Harding's daughter Susan is played by Donald Pleasence's real-life daughter, Angela Pleasence.

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Quotes

Archdeacon Grantly: Now for heaven's sake, don't let's have a division in the ranks, unless you wish to be ruined quietly.
Rev. Septimus Harding: If I am to be ruined, I'd much rather be ruined quietly.

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Connections

Featured in Comedy Connections: Keeping Up Appearances (2004)

User Reviews

At last!

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!