Customer Reviews

Irish R.M. - Series 1 [VHS]

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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.

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.

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!

The Irish R.M. is I think one of the Best done series I have ever seen! In the first episode you see Major Sinclair Yates leaving for Ireland as Resident Magistrate with hopes his fiancee will come and join him. The first episode shows the major getting settled in his new home (Shrilane)! The second episode is the funniest in the whole series, it involves Flurry's abnoxious grandmother and horse stealing (by none other than the Major)! All the following episodes are of great enjoyment to any audience and I highly recomend a buy! If you like this one there is a follow-up series called the Irish RM II. BUY IT !

When Sinclair assumes the post of Resident Magistrate, his conservative British longing for an orderly, peaceful posting in the provinces is shattered by high shenanigans and hilarious mischief-making by the Resident Irish. The help given to the bemused and befuddled Englishman is enough to send a weaker soul packing back home. Sinclair weathers the storms, the Irish humor and even manages to "get a clue" eventually. The video is wonderfully true to the book, and the casting of characters is perfection, from the Hon. Major himself (and the lovely and practical Phillipa) to Himself the Hon. Flurry Knox. The humorous episodes are set in the glorious Irish countryside. It is delightful not only to the mind and funny bone, but also to the eye. And the Fox Hunting scenes are terrific. And for those who say the stories are "almost" believable, I must say that I met the incarnation of Flurry Knox in Adair,Ireland a few years ago: complete with curly hair, puckish mouth and twinkling, blue-green eyes fringed with dark lashes, he was on this day hunting with "the County." He trotted up to a group of ladies at a check. He removed his top hat with a flourish, bowed graciously and welcomed us to Ireland. He dismounted in front of my horse, cocked his darlin' head, commenting, "And I see you've dropped your handkerchief." As he bent over to retrieve it, I replied with a giggle and a blush, "Thank you, but it belongs to that gentlemen over there." Whereupon he straightened up, adjusted his frock coat, winked at the ladies, and with a smile that sent a flurry of emotion through every feminine heart, mounted his horse and rode away, leaving the New York hanky to be trampled as the hounds gave voice. Anyone who loves sport, BBC productions, humor, Ireland, irresitable characters and even "the law" will find this video a must. In fact after having remembered details so that I could write this review, I am signing off to order another copy as a gift.

"The Irish R.M." is surely one of the most delightful shows I have happened across. It relies upon absurdity for humor, instead of the coarseness and crudity that have invaded almost every show on television. However, if you are not able to appreciate British humor...please do not waste your time watching this show. It is utterly delightful, but those who are unaccustomed to British humor may not enjoy it. However, my entire family, from my baby-boomer parents to my 11 year old sister love it, in addition to my college roommate. I really hope that seasons 2 & 3 become available on DVD soon. Peter Bowles is fantastic as the poor R.M., but the audience will probably fall in love with Flurry Knox, the R.M.'s rascally landlord.

I adored this series when it first aired on American TV in the early eighties, and periodically searched for the videos ever since, until they finally appeared. Through dozens of wildly unlikely, yet strangely almost believable home-spun misadventures, Peter Bowles playes straight man to a host of lovable, outlandish, hysterically funny characters of the Irish countryside.

After watching this on PBS Masterpiece theatre, it was a most enjoyable comedy that my whole family enjoyed, and I recommended this series to my friends.Hilarious!

It is delightful and worthy of watching over and over and over and over. The filming is gorgeous, the characters memorable and the stories funny and human. If you love the Irish and Ireland, don't miss this one. I await the release of the second series with bated breath.

I bought this series at Christmas for my wife since we retained fond memories of the episodes from years ago on PBS. Watching the series again I was intrigued at how many episodes featured the often exasperating behavior of animals, especially horses but also dogs, foxes and even a parrot!

In the late 1800's just before the advent of automobiles, everyday transportation and much of Irish recreation centered around horses. Several episodes feature extended scenes of fox hunting or horse racing in the Irish countryside. Horse trading and training hunting dogs are recurring themes in the episodes. So, in addition to the excellent acting and interesting characters, the series also contains a delightful portrayal of the close connection between people and their animals which we found very endearing.