This seven part adaptation of two Trollope novels set in the fictitious Victorian town of Barchester is a drama masterpiece. Reverend Septimus Harding, played by Donald Pleasance, is loved and respected within the area, but the zealous reformer and local doctor, John Bold, destroys the status quo when he queries the actions of the Church Of England, and in particular, the position which Harding holds - Warden of Hiram's Hospital. Nigel Hawthorne, as the Arch-Deacon, wishes to defend the church at all costs, but his ambitions are thwarted when there is a change in Government just before the death of his father, the Bishop of Barchester. The replacement is merely a puppet for his overpowering wife and an ambitious follower, and it becomes an uncomfortable battle between the 'old guard' at Barchester and the 'new brooms'.
This is gripping stuff, and I only intended to dip in to the DVD when I found myself watching all seven episodes virtually back to back and was more than impressed with the cast list: Geraldine McEwan, Clive Swift, Susan Hampshire, Alan Rickman, Barbara Flynn, Janet Maw, Angela Pleasence, Mike Gwilym, Michael Aldridge, John Kingham, Joseph O'Connor, Clifford Parrish as none seem to turn in a performance that is below par. The series was filmed at Peterborough Cathedral and included on the DVD as an extra is a commemorative profile to celebrate its 750th anniversary in 1989.
