Mystery!: Cadfael 

The medieval era cases of a Crusader-turned-Monk who investigates mysteries in the Norman English town of Shrewsbury.

Stars:

Derek Jacobi, Michael Culver, Julian Firth

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Derek Jacobi	...	Brother Cadfael 13 episodes, 1994-1998
Michael Culver	...	Prior Robert 13 episodes, 1994-1998
Julian Firth	...	Brother Jerome 13 episodes, 1994-1998
Terrence Hardiman	...	Abbot Radulfus 10 episodes, 1994-1998
Mark Charnock	...	Brother Oswin 9 episodes, 1994-1997
Albie Woodington	...	Sergeant Warden 8 episodes, 1994-1997

Storyline

At and around the Shrewsbury abbey, Brother Cadfael is a monk with a difference. Given a choice, he would enjoy just being a simple gardener and herbalist for his home. However, too often events force him to use his other talent as a master sleuth in response to mysterious crimes happening in his community. While he investigates these crimes, he often finds himself at odds with the contemporary attitudes of the times with his own ahead of his time beliefs.

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Plot Keywords:

priest as detective | male protagonist | sleuth | abbey | monk | 

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Taglines:

A riveting mystery and a fascinating glimpse into a medieval world.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 January 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Mystery!: Cadfael

Filming Locations:

Budapest, Hungary

Company Credits

Production Co:

Central Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

75 min (13 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The original choice for the part of Cadfael was Ian Holm; Holm accepted but ITV took so long to bring the project to fruition that he decided to take other roles that were offered to him in the meantime. Philip Madoc, who had played the part in the BBC Radio 4 dramatisations, was also considered.

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Connections

Referenced in Drama Trails: 'Secret Diary of a Call Girl' to 'London's Burning' (2008)

User Reviews

Hits and misses.

I agree with "hgallon" on quite a few points.

Any literary adaptation for the large or small screen, owes its existence to the source material. Therefore, it's not merely respectful to retain what made the source material compelling to start with; it's practical. (Acknowledging, of course, the fine adjustments that must occur when translating a story from one medium to another.)

The series achieves both "hits" and "misses".

I too was a little hurt that Cadfael's Welsh origins was omitted. And for several reasons:

Cadfael's Welshness was an important aspect of his character. Anytime the abbey needed a Welsh translator (they WERE on the borderlands!), or the story required someone who knew both the Welsh and the English psyche intimately, Cadfael was called upon. Also, Ms. Peters indicates more then once that his affably earthy, yet bold, "take-no-crap" personality is a direct result to the Celtic culture in which he was brought up.

I hardly think a simple Welsh accent would be beyond the scope of Mr. Jacobi's acting talent. (Ian Holm did it pretty well in "Henry V"...) I wonder why he was not asked to try?

While on the subject, did anyone notice the actor playing Meurig in "Monk's Hood?" He played the lead in "Hedd Wyn" ---- the biopic of poet Ellis Evans. It was nominated for a "Best Foreign Film" Oscar in 1993. DEFINITELY worth checking out: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104403/board/threads/