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The Barchester Chronicles

  • TV Mini Series
  • 19821982
  • 6h 25m
IMDb RATING
8.2/10
1.1K
YOUR RATING
Episode guide
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Donald Pleasence in The Barchester Chronicles (1982)
  • Drama
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,... Read allWhen 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.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.
IMDb RATING
8.2/10
1.1K
YOUR RATING
  • Stars
    • Donald Pleasence
    • Janet Maw
    • Nigel Hawthorne
Top credits
  • Stars
    • Donald Pleasence
    • Janet Maw
    • Nigel Hawthorne
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 22User reviews
    • 2Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 BAFTA Award
      • 8 nominations total

    Episodes7

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated
    1 Season
    1982

    Photos10

    David Gwillim in The Barchester Chronicles (1982)
    Donald Pleasence and David Gwillim in The Barchester Chronicles (1982)
    Barbara Flynn, David Gwillim, and Janet Maw in The Barchester Chronicles (1982)
    Alan Rickman in The Barchester Chronicles (1982)
    Geraldine McEwan and Clive Swift in The Barchester Chronicles (1982)
    Susan Hampshire in The Barchester Chronicles (1982)
    Alan Rickman and Janet Maw in The Barchester Chronicles (1982)
    Donald Pleasence, Alan Rickman, Nigel Hawthorne, Susan Hampshire, and Janet Maw in The Barchester Chronicles (1982)
    The Barchester Chronicles (1982)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Donald Pleasence
    Donald Pleasence
    • Septimus Hardingas Septimus Harding
    7 episodes7 eps • 1982
    Janet Maw
    • Eleanoras Eleanor
    7 episodes7 eps • 1982
    Nigel Hawthorne
    Nigel Hawthorne
    • Dr. Grantlyas Dr. Grantly
    7 episodes7 eps • 1982
    Angela Pleasence
    Angela Pleasence
    • Mrs. Grantlyas Mrs. Grantly
    7 episodes7 eps • 1982
    Barbara Flynn
    Barbara Flynn
    • Mary Boldas Mary Bold
    6 episodes6 eps • 1982
    Clive Swift
    Clive Swift
    • Dr. Proudieas Dr. Proudie
    5 episodes5 eps • 1982
    Geraldine McEwan
    Geraldine McEwan
    • Mrs. Proudieas Mrs. Proudie
    5 episodes5 eps • 1982
    Alan Rickman
    Alan Rickman
    • Obadiah Slopeas Obadiah Slope
    5 episodes5 eps • 1982
    Susan Hampshire
    Susan Hampshire
    • La Signora Madeline Vesey Neronias La Signora Madeline Vesey Neroni
    5 episodes5 eps • 1982
    Susan Edmonstone
    • Charlotte Stanhopeas Charlotte Stanhope
    5 episodes5 eps • 1982
    Peter Blythe
    Peter Blythe
    • Bertie Stanhopeas Bertie Stanhope
    5 episodes5 eps • 1982
    Joseph O'Conor
    Joseph O'Conor
    • Bunceas Bunce
    4 episodes4 eps • 1982
    William Redgrave
    • Samuel Grantlyas Samuel Grantly
    3 episodes3 eps • 1982
    Cyril Luckham
    Cyril Luckham
    • Bishop Grantlyas Bishop Grantly
    3 episodes3 eps • 1982
    Christopher Maynard
    • Baby Boldas Baby Bold
    3 episodes3 eps • 1982
    Jonathan Adams
    Jonathan Adams
    • Quiverfulas Quiverful
    3 episodes3 eps • 1982
    Maggie Jones
    • Mrs. Quiverfulas Mrs. Quiverful
    3 episodes3 eps • 1982
    Clifford Parrish
    • Handyas Handy
    3 episodes3 eps • 1982
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    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. —Lulupalooza
    • henpecked husband
    • bishop
    • tv mini series
    • face slap
    • church of england
    • 3 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Genre
      • Drama
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Donald Pleasence was cast at short notice, after the death of the actor who was first cast in the role.
    • Quotes

      Rev. Septimus Harding: I am safe because the church has more money than the reformers. And because of a fine legal quibble, I'm safe.

      Archdeacon Grantly: Yes.

      Rev. Septimus Harding: Does Sir Abraham say anything about the morality of the situation?

      Archdeacon Grantly: Certainly not! The legal profession does not concern itself with morality.

      Bishop Grantly: Our department, is it not?

      Rev. Septimus Harding: Forgive me, Bishop, Archdeacan: if the world considers me to be a thief, it is of small comfort to know that a "fine legal quibble" says that I am not! Excuse me.

      [exits]

      Archdeacon Grantly: My father in law can be a very difficult person.

      Bishop Grantly: He has persistent bouts of Christianity.

    • Connections
      Featured in The Two Loves of Anthony Trollope (2004)

    User reviews22

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    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!
    helpful•37
    0
    • joanmarieherbers
    • Feb 2, 2005

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 10, 1982 (United Kingdom)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Барчестерские хроники
    • Filming locations
      • Peterborough Cathedral, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, England, UK
    • Production company
      • British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      6 hours 25 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

    Related news

    Alan Rickman Passes Away at 69
    Jan 14GossipCenter
    Alan Rickman: 10 key performances
    Jan 14The Guardian - Film News

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