Customer Reviews

To the Manor Born - The Complete Series

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

'To the Manor Born' is one of the better Brit-coms, witty and intelligent without being over-the-top or inaccessible. It has an oh-so-British tone to it, deliberately so, as it looks with grace and humour at the clash of cultures in modern Britain, the clash between tradition and modernity (finding out that neither is always what it seems), as well as the clash between social classes. All of this is done in such a light-hearted manor, er, manner, that one scarcely realises the biting and insightful satire that runs alongside the comedic situations.

The series begins as Audrey fforbes-Hamilton, a straight-backed, upper-crust woman of breeding who revels in her situation, is celebrating the funeral of her husband (yes, celebrating). Meanwhile, Richard Devere, wealthy (read, nouveau riche) financial officer heading a multinational conglomerate of food stores, arrives in the village in search of a classic gentleman's period home in the English countryside. As Audrey's husband was not one to keep up with the bills, she discovers that she is in fact bankrupt, and is forced to sell the manor. Richard Devere buys it at auction; Audrey is a surprising twist retains the estate's hunting lodge down the road, and the stage is set for the tensions between new homeowner and historical lady of the manor.

Supplementing the main characters are Audrey's best friend Marjorie, who variously has designs on Richard Devere, but these are almost always thwarted; Richard's mother, Mrs. Pu (Poluviska, actually, but the name is reduced for ease by Audrey); Ned, the traditional groundskeeper who helps keep the traditions alive with Audrey; and finally, Brabinger, the quintessential English butler, who relocates to the old lodge with his mistress Audrey, and always has a few suprises up his sleeve.

There are twenty-one episodes in all, filmed and broadcast over a two-year period in 1979-1981. These run from the start of Audrey's losing the manor through to her regaining the manor, along with the hand of Richard in marriage, but not by the means often expected throughout the series. Throughout the episodes, Audrey is constantly introduced to 'ordinary life', from having to rely on the National Health for her doctor rather than private-pay, personal service, to having difficulties in shopping in supermarkets (Devere's, as it turns out) and not being able to entertain as she once did, or go on holiday (this makes for perhaps the best episode of the lot, save for the first and final episodes). Meanwhile, Devere gets lessons in being lord of the manor by the ever-present Audrey, who counsels him on everything from horse-purchasing to community responsbilities. Despite his wealth, Audrey says, 'he is still at the bottom of it all a grocer.' This is a biting commentary -- the upper-class disdain for the working class is an undercurrent here, and the entitled/en-nobled folk in Parliament used to insult both Ted Heath and Margaret Thatcher, who were both children of shopkeepers, by using the term 'grocer' to describe them.

From the threadbare carpets to the when-we-were-in-India knick-knacks to the church clock that never worked properly, this is a wonderfully crafted comedy trip through a slice of British culture that is both past and future. These are not 'issues' episodes -- 'To the Manor Born' educates by stealth. One might be completely unaware of having been taught ways of acting and being. Grantley Manor is a perfect backdrop (shot in a town with the very English-sounding name of Cricket St. Thomas), and the actors are perfectly selected. Penelope Keith as Audrey fforbes-Hamilton has the kind of mannerisms and deadpan delivery befitting a displaced socialite; Peter Bowles has the blustering presence as a self-assured businessman flustered in his new environment. Old Ned (played by MIchael Bilton) and Brabinger (John Rudling) are perfected cast in both physical type and acting ability. Angela Thorne as Marjorie Frobisher, the life-long friend of Audrey, always in her shadow, is great as the 'straight man' against whom Audrey's humour unfolds.

The DVD release contains special features including bits about Penelope Keith and Peter Bowles, as well as excerpts from the late-90s radio broadcasts on BBC2.

This is a perfect show, certain to win the heart of any Anglophile.

Many years ago, I caught the tail-end of one of the latter episodes of TO THE MANOR BORN on PBS and liked what I saw, which was enough to spur me to buy this series on DVD when it became available. I'm happy I did, it is more than worth the price. The two lead actors, Penelope Keith and Peter Bowles have appeared in many other BBC productions (Rumpole, Good Neighbors). I believe they are married in "real" life, and thus a commedic team ala Lucy and Desi or George and Gracie, though not as zany. Audrey Forbes-Hamilton (Keith) is a sophisticated snob and Richard Devere (Bowles) a self made immigrant whom Audrey deems not in her league, let alone worthy of Grantleigh Estate, her old ancestral home.

In the opening episode, the newly widowed Audrey is relishing the thought of being on her own without the husband she did not particularly care for. We learn in a later episode that the Forbes-Hamilton family has intermarried for generations and this might explain some of the peculiar behavior of Audrey and her Uncle who plays an important role in the last few episodes. Audrey soon discovers her now deceased husband kept a few secrets from her, such as the debt the estate had incurred using the "old" methods of managing an estate (keeping hedgerows for example). Devere buys Grantleigh at an auction, outbidding Audrey, who had secured a goodly amount from her relatives for the purpose of keeeping the estate "in the family".

After losing her home, we soon discover Audrey has taken up residence along with the ancient family butler Brabinger in the "lodge", a building on the estate just up the road from the manor house, where the hired help once lived. As Richard's new neighbor, Audrey continues to offer advice on how Grantleigh should be managed according to the rules of 'Noblesse Oblige.'

Fans of `Waiting for God' will recognize the actor who plays Audrey's "fill-in" butler as the man who played Basil Makepeace (Makepiece?) on the "Waiting for God" series. He "fills in" when Audrey's own butler is away visiting relatives, although from his appearance it seems he was probably pretty sick and they kept the role open for him. The GOD series was made in the early 1990s when Thatcherite changes were already in place, giving Diana Trent somethig to bash. (For those who may not remember -- Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan shared similar political positions and their legacies are similar:). MANOR was created in the 1980s and in many ways seems to be an attempt to understand and appreciate that not all business people are bad (just some of them) while taking pot shots at the British class system. Is it a coincidence that the "commoner" Devere (a miscreant in Audrey's eyes) has made his fortune as a grocer? Given Margaret Thatcher's origins, this allusion must have had a special appeal in the 1980s. By the end of the series, Audrey has learned a few things from Richard and `All's Well that Ends Well."

I highly recommend this series. I found it to be one of the best BBC/PBS series I've watched recently, and I am a huge BBC/PBS fan.

"To The Manor Born", is definately in my top 5 all-time favourite British comedies from any decade and I feel is the greatest piece of work ever accomplished by talented British actress Penelope Keith so far. As British as British can be, it is filled with marvellous characters, excellent writing, a near perfect scenerio for the talents involved and just enough commentary on the British Class System for all of us to see a little bit of ourselves in some of the situations that abound in this terrific series. Penelope Keith is the heart and soul of this production and never has there been a more perfect blending of an actresses' personality and screen image with that of a created character.

Produced between 1979 and 1981 "To The Manor Born", was unique in that the series provided self contained episodes with separate storylines that however developed the characters right up to the conclusion of the series when there was an actual final concluding story developed for the series to conclude on. In this way the series is like an extended "mini-series" and can be either enjoyed as individual episodes or as a longer viewing experience. "To The Manor Born", relates the story of recently widowed Audrey Fforbes-Hamilton, the blue blooded owner of Grantleigh Manor which has been in her late husband's family for 400 years. After the funeral Audrey, thinking all her birthdays have come at once suddenly is brought down to earth when she is informed that her late husband Martin was hoplessly in debt and that to cover the debts of the estate she has to sell the Manor. What makes a terrible situation like this even worse is that at the auction the ancestral home is purchased by none other than a certain Richard De Vere who turns out to Audrey's horror to be not only "trade", but shock of all shocks not even British! What develops over many episodes is the highly amusing sparring between Audrey, who moves down the drive to the old lodge intent on keeping an eye on De Vere's plans for the estate, and Richard who is determined to move up in the world to the sphere of "Landed Gentry". The two have many hilarious battles over the course of the series whether it be disputing Richard's proper role as "Lord of the Manor", fighting over who should run the annual Hunt Ball, trying not to loose face while purchasing a new horse or trying to upgrade the estate by removing the ancient hedgerows. "Saving face" is another theme which features in many episodes as the now cash strapped Audrey attempts to keep Richard in his proper place by pretending that "nothing has really changed" by such means as supposedly still taking her annual holiday to Spain while never actually leaving the estate or working out the right timing for writing cheques that are guaranteed to bounce! Naturally as the series develops the hate relationship between this oddly matched couple slowly turns to affection and then love at the nicely worked out conclusion.

The many hilarious situations in this brilliant series are hugely aided by some of the best writing and actors to be assembled in any one British comedy in any decade. The subtle digs at the firmly entrenced British Class System will have you splitting your sides with laughter and Penelope Keith is wonderful portraying a character down on her luck who will not buge one inch for this "upstart grocer' who has invaded her secure world at Grantleigh Manor. Peter Bowles playing Richard has a difficult role as the straight man of the piece but does wonderfully up against the colourful Audrey portraying a man of humble background determined to climb the social ladder. "To The Manor Born",abounds with other terrific characters as well. Angela Thorne a well known face on British television plays Audrey's best friend and fellow conspirator against Richard, Margery Frobisher. Daphne Heard playing the delightful "Mrs. Poo", Richard's mother steals every scene she is in with her wonderful comic playing. The actors playing the various domestics on the program also add spark to the proceedings with special mention going to John Rudling as the very proper Brabinger, Audrey's manservant and especially Michael Bilton as old Ned, the estate handyman.

If like myself you appreciate well written comedy then you cannot go past "To The Manor Born". The best way to purchase this great series is with the VHS boxed set which contains all the episodes uncut and in order. It also has the special treat of including the rarely seen 1979 Christmas episode which is not normally included in reruns and which is very funny indeed involving Audrey and Richard in a competition to provide the best Nativity Crib for the Parish Church. I highly recommend you spend some time enjoying this wonderful series which is as fresh today as it was when it was first aired in the early 1980s. Enjoy Audrey Fforbes-Hamilton down on her luck, battling the upstart grocer in the classic "To The Manor Born".

Audrey fforbes-Hamilton (Penelope Keith) isn't mourning her unloved late husband much, because she now controls the Grantley Manor estate! Yet almost immediately, she learns the property must be sold to satisfy her husband's death. When it is sold to Richard DeVere (formerly named Polouvicka, as his aging mother still is) (played by Peter Bowles), owner of a grocery chain, she is shaken to see the land sold to someone (gasp) in trade, but her retreat takes her only as far as the Lodge, in good viewing distance of the Manor. From there, she will alternately assist and wage war on DeVere, who is determined to bring change to the Manor. And, as she learns that DeVere is not quite as unattractive as she thought, she wonders if marriage is not the quickest path back to the Manor and out of her financial woes . . .

Penelope Keith makes this series. She convincingly plays an aristocrat brought on hard times, but never surrendering in any way. She is assisted not only by Bowles, but by a cast of supporting actors who bring to life rural England in this classy class-warfare comedy. The settings are beautiful, but the acting is exceptional.

Highly recommended. Buy the boxed set to have the entire series plus one Christmas episode which is rarely shown on TV.

Perhaps the best of the BritCom series.

To the Manor Born is a thoroughly delightful Britcom co-starring Penelope Keith (Good Neighbours, Executive Stress, No Job for a Lady) as the snooty Audrey fforbes-Hamilton, a strong-willed, opinionated, blue-blood. The series opens with Audrey, the Lady of Grantleigh Manor, having been brought down a peg or two by the death of her husband, which has necessitated the sale of the Manor (resulting in her having to take up residence in the pokey little lodge on the grounds of the estate).

As if having to leave her beloved Grantleigh isn't humiliation enough, Audrey is miffed by the fact that the new Lord of the Manor is a gauche, noveau-riche grocery store magnet--and a foreigner to boot--named Richard DeVere (Peter Bowles (Rumpole of the Bailey, The Irish R.M.)). Richard is a self-made man who, now that he's got the money, wishes to live the life of a landed, moneyed English gentleman. But he finds there's more--much more--involved than simply buying a beautiful old Manor, as Audrey is only too quick to point out.

As a successful, practical businessman, Richard approaches life from a very different perspective than Audrey, who having lived a life of privilege has never had to work a day. The tension in the series arises from the radically different perspectives from which each approaches various local issues that arise, and the result is that the two are at loggerheads more often than not.

But though Audrey is quick to criticise Richard's lack of taste and his vulgar, profit-oriented motives, he is a handsome and, for all his "faults", charming man, and we cannot help noticing a certain jealousy on Audrey's part with respect to other women--a jealousy Audrey herself may not even realise exists (and certainly would never admit to!). The most frequent "other woman" whose plans or aspirations are quashed by Audrey is her best friend, Marjory Frobisher, a dowdy, middle-aged spinster who's positively love-struck by Richard.

As for Richard, though Audrey is a constant thorn in his side, thwarting his plans and finding fault with him at every turn, we do see in him a growing admiration and fondness despite himself. Though his feelings for her are sincere, it must be said that Audrey is the one person who has the class, the connections, and the ability to enable Richard to achieve the acceptance and respect that he, as the Lord of Grantleigh Manor, so desires. Richard's Czechoslovakian mother (whom Audrey affectionately dubs "Mrs. Pooh") recognises class (and the power and open doors that accompany it) when she sees it, and is constantly trying to coax Richard in Audrey's direction.

The DVD set contains all twenty 30-minute episodes (which ran from 1979-1981). Special features include the 30-minute 1979 Christmas special (which should be watched after disc one), plus a 30-minute profile of Penelope Keith (1999), and a 9-minute segment with Peter Bowles discussing the turning point in his career (2000). In 1997, four new 30-minute audio episodes were written for radio (which was apparently the originally-intended medium for the series), all of which are included on the special features disc, and they are really a treat. Unfortunately, the role of Richard was not reprised by Peter Bowles; still, the episodes (which take place at a point in time prior to the last episodes in the television series) are just as good as those in the original series, and I personally had no trouble picturing the scenes and characters in my mind's eye. Finally, there are text-based bios.

In conclusion, this thoroughly enjoyable, relaxing series is one of the gentler, cosy comedies, and it's one which I highly recommend to fans of British comedy.

One of my fondest memories of childhhod was our local PBS station continuously playing "Good Neighbors" reruns. That cast was perfect and the show a classic, but the person who stood out for me was Penelope Keith. She just stole every scene she was in. Quite recently I discovered "To The Manor Born" at my local library in their video department and was so happy to see that this series starred Miss Keith as well. I checked out as many as I was allowed on my card and couldn't wait to watch them all. Needless to say (or I wouldn't bother to write this) this show was wonderful as well and Penelope Keith is at her best. Upon viewing every episode, although a "special Christmas episode" was NOT on my library's edition, I discovered the boxed set for sale on Amazon and ordered it as soon I saw it.
Not as cartoonish as Margot in Good Neighbors, her "Audrey fforbes-Hamilton" is quite a character indeed and Miss Keith makes her pathetic, comedic, pompous AND accessible all at the same time. I can't imagine anyone else playing this role as well as Penelope Keith. If you are a fan of her work or if you are a just a fan of Britain's funniest female actors such as Patricia Routledge, Mollie Sudgen, The AbFab "Ladies" etc.,then you MUST, MUST, MUST own the work of Penelope Keith, as she, at least to me, is the Grande Dame of them all! I would highly suggest that you please buy the boxed set to see the entire series in order. And as a special feature there's a "lost" Christmas episode at the end of the last episode on Tape 6. In addition to Penelope Keith, I'm sure you'll enjoy this very gifted supporting cast as well and the location shots are very beautiful! Cheers.

Set in the rural English countryside, this very-English comedy series pokes fun at both English life and the aristocracy. The self-made businessman (and imigrant) Richard Devere and the recently widowed Audrey fforbes-Hamiliton are at odds after she is forced to sell, and he in-turn buys her ancestral home. Moving to a nearby (and much smaller home), Audrey keeps an eye on her beloved estate all the while scheming to get it back someday. Throughout the series Audrey and DeVere clash and occasionally get along, engaging in one-upsmanship, and all the while begin to develop an admiration for each other, leading to a surprise conclusion to the series.

The series was very well done and will leave you laughing for weeks, especially if you enjoy British humor. My family and I enjoyed the series so much we made a special side trip while in England to see the estate used in the filming of the series.

Cheers!

This show is more than just a great tv show, it actually was a reflection of the change in the social class of the british society.

Audrey Fforbes Hamilton was recently widowed and now must face the music. Her estate is bankrupt. She must sell the ancestoral home (actually her husband's ancestoral home, her background is never discussed). If she can't have it, then some one class should. But not a foriegn self made millionaire.

Enter sexy Richard DeVere (a foriegn self made millionaire). The sparks fly (both kinds) and Audrey is always there to remind Richard of his duty to the manor.

To round out the cast is Richard's Czech mother, Audrey's best friend Marjorie, the domestics Brabinger the bulter and Ned the handyman plus the local inhabitants including the vicar and the major.

Each disc a a different season. Disc 1 is Richard settling in. There is a great episode where Richard is buying a horse and Audrey's advice is if you run into a horse named Utter Rubish, buy him immediately.

Disc 2 is Richard trying to improve the manor farm to Audrey's chagrin. And for those who want to see Rula Lenska outside of her Alberto VO5 commericails, she is the guest on episode 11.

Disc 3 is the final season and Richard must fight to save his business and his blossoming relationship with Audrey. Audrey's blacksheep Uncle Greville becomes a key part the final shows. The last episode is a classic on its own.

Disc 4 is the special material including the Christmas Special, docs on the two stars and four radio plays.

Penelope Keith is one of England's comedy icons and this is her best series.

Peter Bowles went onto other series even with Keith but none as funny.

To the Manor Born and Butterflies are the two quinesential Britcoms of the early 80's

Recently widowed Audrey fforbes-Hamilton, lady of stately Grantleigh Manor, discovers that her late (and unlamented) husband has left her with little income and lots of debts forcing her to sell her beloved home. She takes comfort that Grantleigh is purchased by 'one of us' - instead of a rock star or even worse, a foreigner. The relief is short lived when she discovers that wealthy Englishman is really a nouveau riche Czech-born grocer. The two quickly develop a love-hate relationship despite the efforts of family and friends to match up the two.

Penelope Keith plays the domineering Audrey again displaying the talent for protraying such a character that she first showed in THE GOOD LIFE as Margo. Ms. Keith manages to find endearing qualities in these women who could so easily be just overbearing cartoons. Peter Bowles manages to bring the upwardly mobile Richard DeVere to life, walking the fine line between making an interesting sympathetic figure trying to understand all the unwritten rules of county society.

As is often the case in British sitcoms this is truly an ensemble cast with each member of the cast turning in stellar performences to make this series a gem to be enjoyed again and again.

I highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys British comedy - this is one of the best. The material is still fresh despite being 20+ years old. The extras in this set include a Christmas special, interviews with Penelope Keith and Peter Bowles and four never filmed radio episodes. The Christmas special is good, interviews are great, radio episodes are interesting although not up to the rest of the series. The real treasure here are the twenty episodes themselves.

Ah, "To the Manor Born." I say "next to Jeeves and Wooster," but in all honesty, it's probably next to Jeeves and Wooster and Fawlty Towers in terms of all-time greatest in the BBC. Nothing short of these inspires me to break out my Harris Tweed (even though living in South Florida), pack and light my Dunhill with some of my finest Navy Flake, pour a nice gin and tonic, and sit back and watch some of the finest television ever made.

To have this compiled in one collection (finally) is simply fantastic. I had originally purchased the individual sets in the UK, for far more, so one is definitely getting their money's worth with this set and I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Get this immediately. Then, by all means, get the Jeeves and Wooster mega-set (and also everything ever commited to print by Wodehouse), along with the Complete Fawlty Towers, the Complete Black Adder and, for good measure, the complete Father Ted.

Enjoy.