The Pallisers, Set 1

Rating:
Summary: Why can't it go on forever?
Review: In my teens, I had a great love affair with Trollope novels, and usually am skeptical of tv renditions of my favorite reads. But the BBC's "Pallisers" portrays Trollope's political novels beautifully. (I remember watching this series in the 70's when I was a flight attendant with layovers in Salt Lake City -- this series was a warm friend in a city that rolled up the sidewalks at 5pm.)

Susan Hampshire's Glencora is perfection. She is the pivotal character who lights up the entire production. All of the characters are developed at such a comfortable pace, you're surprised when you find you've begun to love some you detested at first glance.

If you're not a great fan of Masterpiece Theater-type programs, you might find the first few episodes a little slow-moving as they set the stage for the gigantic group of characters and subplots to follow. But bear with it. The payoff is some of the best television ever filmed.

Rating:
Summary: How to keep political power and a stable marriage
Review: Many of us of a certain age group have the fondest memories of beingentertained immensely for several consecutive weeks back in 1974 or1975 by a PBS series called <The Pallisers>. The 26 episodeswere based on six of Anthony Trollope's political novels: Can YouForgive Her?, Phineas Finn, The Eustace Diamonds, Phineas Redux, ThePrime Minister, and The Duke's Children, all written from 1865 to1880.

In very brief, they deal with the fortunes of the Palliserfamily and the demands for political reform by the English lowerclasses. I suppose the single sentence from the script that can sumall this up is spoken by the Duke of St. Bungay to the effect that theupper classes must grant reforms but slowly so as to retain alwaystheir rule over the country. This, to people like him, is axiomatic;and very little has changed since.

Well, Acorn Media has at lastgranted us a chance this year to see at least the first 8 episodes ofthe series again, on four DVDs. And what a joy they are.

In acharming interview on the first of the four discs, star SusanHampshire, who plays Lady Glencora Palliser, says she managed to whipthrough the six novels in preparation for this series by skippingevery other chapter--the ones about politics! So cleverly has Trollopewoven the domestic with the political threads, that we can be gratefulthat dramatist Simon Raven seems to have skipped very little.

Whether or not you know a Whig from a Tory (and definitions for suchterms are considerately inserted into the dialogue), you cannot helpbut enjoy the humor of Trollope's situations, his characters, andtheir way of speaking. Consider only some of the names: Lady Monk,Lady Fawn, Duke of Omnium, Sir Orlando Draught, Lady Dumbello,Patience Crabstick, and above all Plantagenet Palliser.

Of coursethe acting is quite stylized and as such it is perfect for thismaterial. None of this whispering below the threshold of hearing thatseems to be demanded by directors today. And no need to show anycouple in bed, while that seems to be absolutely obligatory in recentMasterpiece Theatre offerings. This is old style material and callsfor an acting style appropriate to it. The truths, however, neverchange.

Much of the budget went to costumes and décor and you doget the feeling of it all being shot in a studio: the background ofthe Alps is blatantly a painted one and the constant shadow of themicrophone does not help. But the story is enough to keep you comingback for more and the engrossing characters (even the villains havetheir good points) can keep you amused on their own. Philip Latham's"Planty Pal" begins almost cartoonishly but soon developsinto a very human character. And Hampshire is marvelous in hertransformation from a reluctant bride forced into a loveless marriageto a loving and devoted wife. Even the minor characters, such as thecorrupt Police Sergeant, are utterly convincing. (Many of these actorswill be familiar from the old "Avengers" and "LordPeter Wimsey series.)

Acorn Media is to be even more highlycommended for including a 32-page booklet which gives us thebackgrounds of the novels and the televised series, a glossary ofnames and terms, and a complete cast listing. Now the trick is to waituntil early 2001 for the second set to be available. ...

Rating:
Summary: Why can't it go on forever?
Review: The Pallisers is a 1974 BBC production based on Anthony Trollope's six-volume series of novels which takes place in the mid to late 1800s and covers more than 20 years. Where Trollope's Barchester series revolves around the church, his Palliser series revolves around the world of politics. Throughout the course of the series (which is presented in its entirety on three boxed sets), one gains some familiarity with the political issues of the time--issues such as Irish tenant rights, the implementation of secret ballots, the abolition of rotten boroughs, the decimalization of the currency, and so on. If you're not particularly interested in politics or political history, you needn't worry, for the issues are not the focal point of the video series. The show is primarily about individuals, their relationships with one another, and the scandals and intrigues that arise--we're even treated along the way to a murder and the ensuing court case.

The series primarily follows the lives of wealthy Plantagenet Palliser (Philip Latham), a Member of Parliament for the Liberal Party, the heir to a dukedom, and a very serious, conscientious, and morally upright gentleman; and the beautiful, spirited, and wealthy Lady Glencora (Susan Hampshire (The Grand, Monarch of the Glen))--a young woman who, as the story opens, is head over heels in love with an avaricious but charismatic gambler, but whose hand is destined (if her guardian has her way) for Plantagenet.

I might just mention that each novel is an independent entity, and one can usually tell when one has reached the end of the dramatisation of each one, for there is a sense of closure to that particular story and we often see no more of individuals who were introduced for that story. Having said that, a couple of characters worth mentioning are the new, cash-strapped Irish MP Phineas Finn (Donal McCann), and Madame Max (Barbara Murray), a shrewd, resourceful and wealthy Austrian, both of whom feature prominently throughout much of the series.

Set one consists of eight 50-minute episodes; sets two and three, of nine 50-minute episodes. One ought not to expect a slick production like those one has come to expect of 90's efforts. The production is very well done, but it is done according to 1970's standards. In other words, if you're familiar with Upstairs Downstairs, The Duchess of Duke Street, Lillie, and other 70's productions, you can expect the same sort of look and feel here. The only complaint I have (and it's a minor one) concerns the first episode or two which, unfortunately, appear to have been either overexposed or overdeveloped.

In short, this is a splendid period drama punctuated with plenty of comic relief, seasoned with a memorable cast of characters, and consummately acted by an all-star British cast. To name but a few: a bewhiskered Derek Jacobi (I Claudius, Cadfael) plays Lord Fawn, a cash-strapped man who has no luck with women. Penelope Keith (To the Manor Born, Good Neighbours) briefly appears in a few episodes as Fawn's domineering sister (just the type of character at which she excels!). Peter Sallis (Summer Wine's Norman Clegg) portrays the surly, unpleasant Mr. Bonteen. Anthony Andrews (Brideshead Revisited) appears in the final set as a grown-up Silverbridge, the Duke's eldest son, with Jeremy Irons (also Brideshead Revisited) as Frank Tregear, Silverbridge's best friend.

I highly recommend this captivating, intelligent, and all around enjoyable series (which I for one had never seen prior to getting the boxed sets). If you enjoy period drama, it's a safe bet that you'll soon find yourself hooked on this one--our family certainly was!

Rating:
Summary: A Thoroughly Enjoyable British Period Drama!
Review: The Pallisers is a 1974 BBC production based on Anthony Trollope's six-volume series of novels which takes place in the mid to late 1800s and covers more than 20 years. Where Trollope's Barchester series revolves around the church, his Palliser series revolves around the world of politics. Throughout the course of the series (which is presented in its entirety on three boxed sets), one gains some familiarity with the political issues of the time--issues such as Irish tenant rights, the implementation of secret ballots, the abolition of rotten boroughs, the decimalization of the currency, and so on. If you're not particularly interested in politics or political history, you needn't worry, for the issues are not the focal point of the video series. The show is primarily about individuals, their relationships with one another, and the scandals and intrigues that arise--we're even treated along the way to a murder and the ensuing court case.

The series primarily follows the lives of wealthy Plantagenet Palliser (Philip Latham), a Member of Parliament for the Liberal Party, the heir to a dukedom, and a very serious, conscientious, and morally upright gentleman; and the beautiful, spirited, and wealthy Lady Glencora (Susan Hampshire (The Grand, Monarch of the Glen))--a young woman who, as the story opens, is head over heels in love with an avaricious but charismatic gambler, but whose hand is destined (if her guardian has her way) for Plantagenet.

I might just mention that each novel is an independent entity, and one can usually tell when one has reached the end of the dramatisation of each one, for there is a sense of closure to that particular story and we often see no more of individuals who were introduced for that story. Having said that, a couple of characters worth mentioning are the new, cash-strapped Irish MP Phineas Finn (Donal McCann), and Madame Max (Barbara Murray), a shrewd, resourceful and wealthy Austrian, both of whom feature prominently throughout much of the series.

Set one consists of eight 50-minute episodes; sets two and three, of nine 50-minute episodes. One ought not to expect a slick production like those one has come to expect of 90's efforts. The production is very well done, but it is done according to 1970's standards. In other words, if you're familiar with Upstairs Downstairs, The Duchess of Duke Street, Lillie, and other 70's productions, you can expect the same sort of look and feel here. The only complaint I have (and it's a minor one) concerns the first episode or two which, unfortunately, appear to have been either overexposed or overdeveloped.

In short, this is a splendid period drama punctuated with plenty of comic relief, seasoned with a memorable cast of characters, and consummately acted by an all-star British cast. To name but a few: a bewhiskered Derek Jacobi (I Claudius, Cadfael) plays Lord Fawn, a cash-strapped man who has no luck with women. Penelope Keith (To the Manor Born, Good Neighbours) briefly appears in a few episodes as Fawn's domineering sister (just the type of character at which she excels!). Peter Sallis (Summer Wine's Norman Clegg) portrays the surly, unpleasant Mr. Bonteen. Anthony Andrews (Brideshead Revisited) appears in the final set as a grown-up Silverbridge, the Duke's eldest son, with Jeremy Irons (also Brideshead Revisited) as Frank Tregear, Silverbridge's best friend.

I highly recommend this captivating, intelligent, and all around enjoyable series (which I for one had never seen prior to getting the boxed sets). If you enjoy period drama, it's a safe bet that you'll soon find yourself hooked on this one--our family certainly was!

Rating:
Summary: A grand romp through the Victorian era
Review: The Pallisers is a typical 70s BBC type production; wonderful period detail, good actors, and high drama. And it's tremendous fun. Based on the deadly dull novels by Anthony Trollope, the series was turned into a grand portrait of Victorian social mores. Bottom line, it's a soap opera set in the 1800s with politics, scandal and high society. A "must" for anyone who enjoys period drama.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best series ever filmed.
Review: The Pallisers takes its place with Brideshead Revisted, Upstairs, Downstairs, and the original Forsyte Saga as one of the best series of films ever made for television. Having seen all of the videos in the three boxed sets I can say unequivocally that I found the entire program well dramatized and well acted.

We are first introduced to Plantagenet Palliser, nephew and heir apparent to the Duke of Omnium. Plantagent is a liberal member of parliament who is a true patriot. He wrestles with many of the problems of 19th Century England, first as an MP and later as Prime Minister. He is a man of enourmous integrity and will power. What he lack in intelligence he more than makes up for in hard work. He and his wife, the Lady Glencora, played by the usually reliable Susan Hampshire, are the center of this series.

Lady Glencora marries Plantagent against her will. She would have preferred to elope with a young gambler, but her sense of duty saves her from what we know would have been a disastrous mistake. She comes to love and respect Plantagenet in time and is totally loyal to him and his various causes. Lady Glen is all heart and not much head. Even so, her heart usually leads her in the right direction and much of the series dramatises her arguments with her always rational and sometimes unimaginative husband. Lady Glen gives as good as she gets.

Into the family of Lady Glen and Plantagent comes Phineas Finn, a brilliant but sometimes headstrong member of parliament from Ireland. From the first introduction of Finn, the series takes on added dramatic intensity. Finn gets himself into a variety of scrapes and even is accused of murder at one point. Both Lady Glen and Plantagent and their good friend, Madame Max Goesler, never lose faith in Finn and support him with all their resources. Madam Max, Lady Glen's confidant and trusted guide, falls in love with Finn and waits patiently for him to learn of her devotion and friendship.

All the stories are interesting and those involving Finn are genuinely engaging. The acting is first-rate by a huge cast. I think most viewers will be hard pressed to find a false note anywhere. The setting is 19th Century England and the cast of characters comes from the aristocracy and upper class. Much time and money has been spent to take us inside the various castles and homes of the wealthy English gentry. Finn is an outsider in this world and his background and situation provide the contrast we need to understand the enormous difference between the aristocrats and their friends and the common people they are supposed to care for. Plantagent is all the more remarkable because his great wealth does not blind him to the service he owes to those commoners he represents.

Brideshead Revisited and Upstairs, Downstairs remain my favorite extended series of films for television, but The Pallisers is not far behind -- a truly exceptional program.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best series ever filmed.
Review: The Pallisers takes its place with Brideshead Revisted, Upstairs, Downstairs, and the original Forsyte Saga as one of the best series of films ever made for television. Having seen all of the videos in the three boxed sets I can say unequivocally that I found the entire program well dramatized and well acted.

We are first introduced to Plantagenet Palliser, nephew and heir apparent to the Duke of Omnium. Plantagent is a liberal member of parliament who is a true patriot. He wrestles with many of the problems of 19th Century England, first as an MP and later as Prime Minister. He is a man of enourmous integrity and will power. What he lack in intelligence he more than makes up for in hard work. He and his wife, the Lady Glencora, played by the usually reliable Susan Hampshire, are the center of this series.

Lady Glencora marries Plantagent against her will. She would have preferred to elope with a young gambler, but her sense of duty saves her from what we know would have been a disastrous mistake. She comes to love and respect Plantagenet in time and is totally loyal to him and his various causes. Lady Glen is all heart and not much head. Even so, her heart usually leads her in the right direction and much of the series dramatises her arguments with her always rational and sometimes unimaginative husband. Lady Glen gives as good as she gets.

Into the family of Lady Glen and Plantagent comes Phineas Finn, a brilliant but sometimes headstrong member of parliament from Ireland. From the first introduction of Finn, the series takes on added dramatic intensity. Finn gets himself into a variety of scrapes and even is accused of murder at one point. Both Lady Glen and Plantagent and their good friend, Madame Max Goesler, never lose faith in Finn and support him with all their resources. Madam Max, Lady Glen's confidant and trusted guide, falls in love with Finn and waits patiently for him to learn of her devotion and friendship.

All the stories are interesting and those involving Finn are genuinely engaging. The acting is first-rate by a huge cast. I think most viewers will be hard pressed to find a false note anywhere. The setting is 19th Century England and the cast of characters comes from the aristocracy and upper class. Much time and money has been spent to take us inside the various castles and homes of the wealthy English gentry. Finn is an outsider in this world and his background and situation provide the contrast we need to understand the enormous difference between the aristocrats and their friends and the common people they are supposed to care for. Plantagent is all the more remarkable because his great wealth does not blind him to the service he owes to those commoners he represents.

Brideshead Revisited and Upstairs, Downstairs remain my favorite extended series of films for television, but The Pallisers is not far behind -- a truly exceptional program.

Rating:
Summary: When Masterpiece Theater Truly Was!
Review: The Pallisers was one of the first series presented on PBS and helped to make us fans of Masterpiece Theater for many years, at least while the quality was even half as good as the Pallisers. We were really thrilled to see that the series is being released on video and DVD and are now most impatiently waiting for the next parts to be released!

There is much much more to Trollope and his novels than some see, to call them "deadly dull" is to miss the rich complexities of personalities that he peoples them with. To anyone wishing to explore his world more thoroughly and I tell you it is a fascinating experience, I highly recommend the book, The Gentleman in Trollope, subtitled Individuality and Moral Conduct, by Shirley Robin Letwin. I know we're glad we discovered this book, it is helping us enjoy the video of the Pallisers even more than we did the first time we saw it.

Beautiful production, sets, acting, but most of all writing, by Trollope and thankfully faithfully translated to screen by Simon Raven. Hope those who have seen this gem many years ago will get it and enjoy it again as we have, but also hope many who have not seen it nor ventured into the world of Trollope will be enticed to do so, it is a most rewarding and enriching experience.

Rating:
Summary: When Masterpiece Theater Truly Was!
Review: The Pallisers was one of the first series presented on PBS and helped to make us fans of Masterpiece Theater for many years, at least while the quality was even half as good as the Pallisers. We were really thrilled to see that the series is being released on video and DVD and are now most impatiently waiting for the next parts to be released!

There is much much more to Trollope and his novels than some see, to call them "deadly dull" is to miss the rich complexities of personalities that he peoples them with. To anyone wishing to explore his world more thoroughly and I tell you it is a fascinating experience, I highly recommend the book, The Gentleman in Trollope, subtitled Individuality and Moral Conduct, by Shirley Robin Letwin. I know we're glad we discovered this book, it is helping us enjoy the video of the Pallisers even more than we did the first time we saw it.

Beautiful production, sets, acting, but most of all writing, by Trollope and thankfully faithfully translated to screen by Simon Raven. Hope those who have seen this gem many years ago will get it and enjoy it again as we have, but also hope many who have not seen it nor ventured into the world of Trollope will be enticed to do so, it is a most rewarding and enriching experience.

Rating:
Summary: Fine, fine adaptation of Trollope's Palliser novels
Review: This series adapts the six lengthy "Palliser" novels by Anthony Trollope into 26 episodes of delight and intrigue in Victorian England.

Susan Hampshire's Lady Glencora is without doubt the center of this series. Forced into a marriage with the wealthy but distracted Plantagenet Palliser, who seems far more interested in becoming Chancellor of the Exchequer than in his marriage, Lady Glencora must balance her relationship with her husband against that with another man, whom she has truly loved. Watching as the two Pallisers adjust their relationship to find their love is an absolute delight.

But this story is more than just the Pallisers. As the six lengthy novels are boiled down to 26 episodes (8 in the first set), we meet Phineas Finn, an Irish MP who is the title character of two of the books--one deemed a fine political novel, the other a suspenseful masterpiece. Both are well incorporated into the series. Barbara Murray amazes as Madame Max Goesler, a wealthy widow who interacts with the aristocratic Pallisers without ever letting her great good sense be overwhelmed by the privilege of associating with the creme de la creme.

Six novels boiled into a series requires a great ensemble cast, and one is provided. Such noted British TV actors as Derek Jacobi (later of I, Claudius) and Penelope Keith (of To the Manor Born) play small but important parts as the foppish Lord Fawn and his sister.

But in the final analysis, it all comes back to the relationship between Hampshire's Lady Glencora and Philip Latham's Plantagenet.

Well worth watching.