Jeanskynebu the audience applauded

Crwthod A lot more amusing than I thought it would be.

KnotStronger This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.

Aiden Melton The storyline feels a little thin and moth-eaten in parts but this sequel is plenty of fun.

Red-125 The Barchester Chronicles (1982) was directed by David Giles. Anthony Trollope was a genius. The question was whether Director Giles was capable enough to to trust Trollope's plot, and find the actors capable of portraying Trollope's characters. Giles carried it off with skill and finesse.The movie has the usual excellent production values we have come to expect from the BBC. The fictional cathedral town of Barchester is reproduced in Peterborough. Donald Pleasence plays Rev. Septimus Harding. Harding is a kind and gentle man, but he has a backbone when that's what's needed.Donald Pleasence is often cast as a villain. Here, he is anything but a villain. His acting skills were amazing.Geraldine McEwan is outstanding in the role of Mrs. Proudie, the wife of the new bishop.This was Alan Rickman's first major role. He portrays Obadiah Slope, chaplain to the Bishop. He's sly, well spoken, clever, and unprincipled. Rickman was made for this role, and her performs it perfectly.Even if you don't like Victorian novels, this is a movie worth seeing. I highly recommend it. P.S. Angela Pleasence is the daughter of Donald Pleasence. She plays the role of his daughter in the series. It's clear that she inherited her father's acting skills.

Tweekums 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.

johnnybird Donald Pleasance gave an uncannily accurate portrayal of an eccentric old clergyman ... reminded me of people I know. Probably would for you too. The scene near the end (of Novel 2) where Eleanor is addressed, well, boldly, came off pretty well; Trollope celebrates quiet triumphs.Worth seeing what you can; you can't see much in the United States, as the series is not distributed there, nor any longer shown on television.

Bernie-56 One of the best Trollope adaptations in recent years. A true classic that will delight lovers of the 'Barchester' novels through more than one viewing. Adapted from the first two novels, 'The Warden' and 'Barchester Towers'. All the cast are well matched to their roles. Of note: It seems newspapers have changed little in 150 years. The fictional 'The Jupiter' ('The Times' very thinly disguised) is just as sanctimonious and irritating as today's press. Clive Swift as Bishop Proudie is, well, another bumbling Clive Swift. Alan Rickman gives an excellent performance as the ingratiating humbug Rev Slope (formerly Mr Slop). Slope's Cathedral sermon on the demerits of music in the evangelical church (Ep. 2) is brilliant, as is his marriage proposal to Mrs Bold (Ep. 4). Father and daughter Donald and Angela Pleasance play father and daughter Mr Harding and Mrs Grantly.A weak point is the character is the second romantic interest of Mrs Bold, The Rev Francis Arabin. In the series he seems a rather dull of stick of about 40, much older than Mrs Bold, and it hard to see why a mid-twenties, attractive and wealthy widow would be in the least attracted to him. He is well spoken and intelligent but otherwise most unprepossesing. In the novel, however, Trollope devotes an full chapter to his history and the minute description of his personality and character. As a result it is quite clear why Mrs Bold found him so desirable from their first meeting.