38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Thoroughly Charming & Delightful British Comedy-Drama, October 24, 2001
This review is from: Irish R.M. - Series 1 [VHS] (VHS Tape)
Those who enjoy Peter Bowles' roles in the ever-popular Rumpole of the Bailey and To the Manor Born will surely enjoy his role in this lovely series set in Ireland of the late 19th century. Bowles stars as Major Sinclair Yates, a retired English army officer who accepts a position in Ireland as a Resident Magistrate. His role here is reminiscent of Guthrie Featherstone in the Rumpole series, although Yates is a more multi-dimensional character, and his ineptness is due largely to an unfamiliarity with the customs and ways of life of the Irish.
Major Yates is joined by his fiancee/wife, Philippa, who is extremely tolerant both of life in a foreign country and of the comical predicaments in which the Major finds himself. Then there are the servants at Shrilane, the Yateses' less-than-pristine country home: Mrs. Cadogan is the no-nonsense (albeit highly humourous) housekeeper, whose every sentence is laden with the most elaborate of metaphors; Peter, Mrs. Cadogan's simple-minded nephew, is the stable lad; and finally Julia and the inept Bridgit are the two maids.
The real show-stealer in this series is the Major's new landlord, Flurry Knox (Bryan Murray), a clever, quick-witted and jovial young man who constantly rides the finest line between legality and illegality. Flurry is joined by his able albeit permanently inebriated cohort Slipper, played superbly by Niall Toibin (Ballykissangel's Father Macanally). The cast is rounded out by Mrs. Knox, Flurry's strong-willed and eccentric grandmother; Lady Knox, Flurry's pompous aunt; and Sally, Lady Knox's beautiful daughter.
This boxed set contains six 50-minute episodes. The series (at least thus far) is certainly more comedy than drama, and the episodes more often than not involve the Major ending up in an embarrassing and/or compromising situation (usually thanks to Flurry) from which he must somehow extricate himself--with his honour intact, if possible.
In conclusion, this is a warm and thoroughly charming series set in an Ireland that has long since disappeared. Like Ballykissangel, the humour is gentle and suitable for the enjoyment of the entire family. The only thing that takes a little getting used to are the Irish accents, for they are (unlike Ballykissangel) as thick as treacle. But it is well worth the effort, as this really is a most enjoyable series. Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys good British comedy-drama.
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15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
IRISH R.M. is ADDICTIVE!, September 19, 1999
This review is from: Irish R.M. - Series 1 [VHS] (VHS Tape)
THE IRISH R.M. has hit the top of my personal charts, and I can't stop re- and re-rewatching each show. With an hysterical story line, a brilliant script, fine directing, and best of all an INCREDIBLE cast, it is a treasure. The stand-out, of course, is Bryan Murray as the irrepressible Flurry Knox. And the question is: where has the film industry been hiding this glorious, brilliant and immesurably talented actor? He is a wonderful foil for veteran Peter Bowles; incredibly funny; and blessed with a never-ending collection of facial expressions that speak as elloquently as a Shakespearean sonnet. An Adonis-leprecaun, he lightly plucks scene after scene from his formidable fellow-actors as easily as if he were blowing dandelion seeds across a summer lawn. The acompanying music score transforms these exchanges into a celebration dance, saluting the wonderful complexities that have made Ireland a country that is the twinkle in the eye of Europe.
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fun and high jinks in late-Nineteenth Century Ireland., December 14, 1999
This review is from: Irish R.M. - Series 1 [VHS] (VHS Tape)
Major Sinclair Yeates (Peter Bowles) leaves the army and becomes a Resident Magistrate in late-Nineteenth Century Ireland. There he encounters a people so foreign to his way of thinking that he often finds himself befuddled and hopelessly confused. Surrounding him are such people as the formidable Mrs. Cadogan (pronounced "Cayder-gorn"), the forceful and self-confident Mrs. Knox, and the leprechaun-like Flurry Knox. Major Yeates, though outmaneuvered and outthought by Flurry at almost every point, comes to appreciate the people he now lives amongst, and their charming culture.
The stories in this series (there are 5, one-hour tapes with one show per tape) are expertly done, and the cast is masterful at their parts. Indeed, Bryan Murray (who plays Flurry) steals the show as if he were born to the part. This show is great for family viewing containing nothing objectionable. Indeed, my two small children have developed a dance that they perform whenever the opening music begins!
This show is great if you like British humor, period drama, family entertainment, et cetera, ad infinitum!
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