Customer Reviews

The Pallisers, Set 1 [VHS]

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4 star:		(3)
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2 star:		(1)
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If you are a fan of English costume drama, interested in amiable depiction of High Victorian Society, if you liked the most recent BBC version of Pride and Prejudice, and, most particularly, if you ever were forced to slog through Anthony Trollope's endless series of lengthy novels recounting the peregrinations of the Duke of Omnium, Phineas Finn, et al, then this is the series for you. It may be most interesting to the long suffering Trollope-reader. I believe that his novels were a sort of 1840s counterpart to modern cable TV. They were made to be read in the evenings, often aloud to gatherings of family and friends. And, since there was little competition for polite entertainment, there was undoubtedly little incentive for the listeners to want the stories rushed to an end. Hence, the elegantly written descriptions of drawing room rivalries, scrapes most often between the honorable and landholding wealthy and the rather dishonorable new-rich tended to drag on and on...and on. This TV treatment, although not a great commercial success in Britain when it was made thirty years ago, is therefore surprisingly successful - the acting, though criticised as stilted, actually is stylised. The basic drama of the situations (will the grand Duke of Omnium crush his defeated rival when they at last meet at some European gambling Spa? Will whatsisname, the preppy son of the Duke make good on his promise to marry the American adventuress?) comes across much better - and MUCH faster - through the TV episodes, and frankly make Trollope quite entertaining in the process.

Occasionally, TV takes narrative forms from the past and does make them paced and pallatable for new audiences. This series is still not for fans of fast editing, car crashes, and gore. It is, however, well-paced, mannered, elegant, wholesome and intelligent drama that should have been released to the public decades ago.

I have looked for it from time to time for over twenty years - having viewed these episodes as a young school teacher in Singapore in the 70s, where anything from Britain or America was a lifeline to home. I will look forward to watching it again, in senile rapture, rooting for the Duke and wishing ill on the many rascals that surround him.

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.

Based on the political novels by Trollope, which few read since they are a total of over 2000 pages, this series is one of the most intelligent television renderings of a work of literature that has been done, illustrating the strength of television over movies for the dramatisation of literature. I hope the rest of the episodes will be issued soon, too.

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.

Many of us of a certain age group have the fondest memories of being
entertained immensely for several consecutive weeks back in 1974 or
1975 by a PBS series called <The Pallisers>. The 26 episodes
were based on six of Anthony Trollope's political novels: Can You
Forgive Her?, Phineas Finn, The Eustace Diamonds, Phineas Redux, The
Prime Minister, and The Duke's Children, all written from 1865 to
1880.

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

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

In a
charming interview on the first of the four discs, star Susan
Hampshire, who plays Lady Glencora Palliser, says she managed to whip
through the six novels in preparation for this series by skipping
every other chapter--the ones about politics! So cleverly has Trollope
woven the domestic with the political threads, that we can be grateful
that dramatist Simon Raven seems to have skipped very little.

Whether or not you know a Whig from a Tory (and definitions for such
terms are considerately inserted into the dialogue), you cannot help
but enjoy the humor of Trollope's situations, his characters, and
their 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 course
the acting is quite stylized and as such it is perfect for this
material. None of this whispering below the threshold of hearing that
seems to be demanded by directors today. And no need to show any
couple in bed, while that seems to be absolutely obligatory in recent
Masterpiece Theatre offerings. This is old style material and calls
for an acting style appropriate to it. The truths, however, never
change.

Much of the budget went to costumes and décor and you do
get the feeling of it all being shot in a studio: the background of
the Alps is blatantly a painted one and the constant shadow of the
microphone does not help. But the story is enough to keep you coming
back for more and the engrossing characters (even the villains have
their good points) can keep you amused on their own. Philip Latham's
"Planty Pal" begins almost cartoonishly but soon develops
into a very human character. And Hampshire is marvelous in her
transformation from a reluctant bride forced into a loveless marriage
to a loving and devoted wife. Even the minor characters, such as the
corrupt Police Sergeant, are utterly convincing. (Many of these actors
will be familiar from the old "Avengers" and "Lord
Peter Wimsey series.)

Acorn Media is to be even more highly
commended for including a 32-page booklet which gives us the
backgrounds of the novels and the televised series, a glossary of
names and terms, and a complete cast listing. Now the trick is to wait
until early 2001 for the second set to be available. ...

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!

This series, though certainly low budget by today's standards, is absolutely one of the most superbly constructed pieces of classic Brit cinema available on DVD. It will take it's place in my collection along side more contemporary versions of it's cousins "Pride and Prejudice" and "Sense and Sensibility" to be more "savored" than "watched".

As far as special features, there are few. . .Okay, there's ONE. You can chapter search - Though the huge guidebook included with the set make up for not having "behind the scenes" and the like. And you can read it WHILE the series is playing! A true boon to those of us that tend to have less short term than long term memories.

The series is comprised of all of the things that you want from classic Brit television- Drama, romance, intrigue. . . Well, a little less intrigue than maybe would have been nice, but still the shows will keep you spellbound from the first opening sequence! This in conjunction with it's humor (not quite "To the Manor Born", but still very witty) make this a series you'll keep pulling out on family-movie nights for years to come! Sure, there's less chance of that happening if you are blessed with all boys, but those of you that are bringing up little girls can look forward to many viewings of this classic!!

I strongly recommend this series!

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.

I just love the regency era - the pomp the circumstance and especially the clothes. I'd never heard of the this particular series before but went completely by the period. I AM SO GLAD that I did! THis was an absolutely amazing series.... I had also never before been aware of Susan Hampshire and must now say I am a devoted fan.

The story tells of a young heiress who lives life to the fullest, has her flirtations and falls in love with what appears to be a fortune hunter, but before he gets his hooks into her she is made to enter into a betrothal and marriage with a 'no-nonsense', very staid peer of the realm (Philip Latham) and heir to the Duke of Omnium - who, by the way, was interested in another as well. It goes on to show their struggles to adjust to one another - with I might add, the female having to make the most adjustments as the fact that her being in love with another just "....did not signify!"

The trials and the tribulations of their struggles, and eventual accommodations to one another amidst the politics of the day are a rare treat and a masterpiece of brilliant acting.

I highly recommend this set and recommend picking up Sets 2 and 3 in order to perpetuate your total enjoyment of a magnificently brilliant series!

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.