The Barchester Chronicles (1982)

“Morality–What has that to do with the Law?”

“Peasants are so much more fun than respectable people.”

“These elderly clerics….They’re all pickled in port.”

The Barchester novels from Anthony Trollope are perhaps the best loved books of his long, prolific writing career. The DVD The Barchester Chronicles–seven episodes in all for a total of 374 minutes–covers two Trollope Barchester novels–The Warden and Barchester Towers. This made for British television drama is a marvelous transfer to the screen of Trollope’s delightful novels that explore the corruption, nepotism, and petty bickering of representatives of the Church of England. The stories are delivered with Trollope’s usual light hand and ironic, generous sense of humour.

The Warden is Reverend Septimus Harding (Donald Pleasance), perhaps the only decent, honest member of the clergy to be found for miles around. As the Warden, he oversees Hiram’s Hospital, an almshouse for twelve old men. Established by a medieval charity, the wardenship is granted by the Bishop of Barchester, and it’s considered a lucrative position. The wardenship comes with a lovely home, 800 pounds a years, and very light duties. Harding, a good, sweet-natured, unworldly man is horrified when local reformer, John Bold (David Gwillen) takes his accusations of corruption and nepotism in Barchester to the scandal sheet, The Jupiter. Harding, who feels tainted and ashamed by the implications, wishes to resign his post. Harding’s son-in-law, Archdeacon Grantly (Nigel Hawthorne) who just happens to also be the son of the Bishop of Barchester believes that Harding should remain in the lucrative position as warden of Hiram’s Hospital. Harding’s decision–based in a morality that his fellow clergy and legal advisors cannot grasp–becomes a matter of conscience.

Barchester Towers focuses on the machinations of the ambitious and loathsome Mr. Slope (Alan Rickman) as he wheedles his way into Bishop Proudie’s household. Bishop Proudie (Clive Swift) and his formidable wife Mrs. Proudie (Geraldine McEwan) now rule in the Bishop’s palace, and a struggle for control takes place between the slimy Mr. Slope and Mrs. Proudie. Barchester Towers concentrates on the role of women in the lives of the clergymen in the tale. There’s the exotic and scandalous Signora Neroni (Susan Hampshire) who “systematically destroys the moral fibre of every gentleman she encounters”, the beleaguered Eleanor Bold (Janet Maw), the widowed daughter of Mr. Harding, and the indomitable Mrs. Proudie, a woman who terrifies her husband, the Bishop.

If you are a fan of Trollope or just love British costume dramas, then prepare yourself for hours of delightfully witty entertainment. Exquisite acting matched with a marvelous screenplay creates a delightful experience for viewers. If you enjoy this DVD, I also highly recommend The Way We Live Now and He Knew He Was Right. Both are darker Trollope tales, but all three productions are marvelous adaptations of the novels. From director David Giles.