A Truth Universally Acknowledged: The Brits Make Great Television
It is said that if someone calls out for an actor in any public place in a British city, at least a few will come forward. Aside from the Shakespearean tradition, or perhaps because of it, this surfeit of acting interest may help account for the high quality of television that the British have provided for over fifty years. There are so many excellent series, I am presenting only some of those that have impressed this Canadian/American old codger.
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- StarsKenneth ClarkIan RichardsonRonald LaceyAn extraordinary cultural tour through the centuries. Kenneth Clark's landmark 1969 series, offering his personal perspective on the history of western art and philosophy.Unlike some of the unlettered commentators and hosts on the "History Channel" who utter a profound "Wow, cool!" every time they are confronted with some architectual wonder or historical artifact, Clark's presentation, scholarly but never "stuffy," is a refreshing and welcome antidote.
- CreatorHarry DriverVince PowellStarsSidney JamesDiana CouplandRobin StewartSid and Jean Abbott struggle to understand their teenage children's progressive ways. The couple live in London with protest-loving son Mike and trendy daughter Sally.Yes, the program was made on the cheap; and, yes, it does contain some outmoded opinions regarding the "place" of women and sexuality, but hey, I'd rather watch half an hour of the master, Sid James, at work than some non-entities griping on about nothing.
- StarsDerek JacobiJohn HurtSiân PhillipsThe personal and governmental affairs of the Julio-Claudian dynasty at the beginning of the Roman Empire, as recalled by one of its rulers.What is fascinating is the sheer number of character actors who appear in it.... most of which were little known then but have since gone on to become better-known. Everyone from Brian Blessed, John Hurt, Sian Phillips, George Baker, Patrick Stewart and John Rhys-Davies to lesser-known actors like Kevin Stoney, Bernard Hill, Christopher Guard, Fiona Walker, Stratford Johns, Sam Dastor, Guy Siner, Darien Angadi, James Bree, George Pravda, Simon MacCorkindale, Sheila Ruskin, Bruce Purchase and Denis Carey. They were all good, no matter how small their roles were.
- CreatorIan MacKintoshStarsRoy MarsdenRay LonnenJerome WillisThe missions of an elite British Intelligence covert operations unit.OK, the shows are dated - the women are all "girls", even the professionals. Everyone smokes like a chimney. But the acting is very different from what we see today, as is the dialog, and the sensibilities of the writers. One episode ended with a long, inspirational speech about how precious our freedoms are, and what happens if we lose them, and it was not being campy or insipid but very serious.
- StarsDoran GodwinJohn CarsonDonald EcclesWhile matchmaking for friends and neighbours, a young 19th Century Englishwoman nearly misses her own chance at love.It's one of the finest pieces of work of its kind. Yes, it's studio-based - but it's none the worse for that. Technical resources have changed in 40 years, but think of the resources on offer here: stunning costume, well-designed and beautifully lit sets, superb actors who not only look but sound good, delicious writing that captures so well the essence of this lovely book - better to see this a dozen times than an overpolished piece of slick location filming where all you end up with is pretty pictures of a supposedly 'all star cast'.
- CreatorJohn HawkesworthJohn WhitneyStarsAnthony AndrewsMaurice RoëvesGeorge InnesThe series chronicles the exploits of the fictional Royal Engineer Tunnelling Company 97, which has been made a bomb disposal unit to deal with the thousands of unexploded bombs ("UXBs") in London during the Battle of Britain.What made this series all the more suspenseful was the fact that sometimes a bomb would go off!!
- StarsJacob BronowskiJoss AcklandRoy DotriceAn account of man's development through his scientific and technological achievements.This extraordinary series, thirteen fifty-minute episodes, is one of television's greatest achievements; one-half century after its completion, it has lost little of its luster.
- StarsSimon JonesDavid DixonPeter JonesArthur Dent and his friend, Ford Prefect, escape the destruction of Earth, only to face incredible trials, tribulations and adventures in space and time.Watch it with the lights off to enjoy all the visuals and matte painting special effects that were available in 1981 with a shoestring budget.
- StarsMargaret TyzackThorley WaltersHelen MirrenA poor and homely spinster, who feels she's been walked on all her life, teams up with a scheming courtesan to wreak elaborate revenge on her rich and handsome relatives.A wonderful presentation that is filled with fabulous performances by especially Margaret Tyzack as Cousin Bette and a very young Helen Mirren, as Valerie. A truly chilling study of evil.
- StarsStephen FryHugh LaurieRichard DixonBertram Wooster, a well-intentioned, wealthy layabout, has a habit of getting himself into trouble and it's up to his brilliant valet, Jeeves, to get him out.A simply brilliant stretch of what-ho-what-ho comedy ("You can't be a successful dictator AND design women's underclothing") and deliciously twisting storylines. Robert Daws as Tuppy is the cherry on top of this delicious confection. Not to be missed. Ever.
- CreatorJohn HawkesworthStarsJeremy BrettDavid BurkeRosalie WilliamsSherlock Holmes and Dr Watson solve the mysteries of copper beeches, a Greek interpreter, the Norwood builder, a resident patient, the red-headed league, and one final problem.The stories are great and this series had that fortunate combination of great acting, writing, music, and production value.
- StarsDavid SuchetHugh FraserPhilip JacksonHercule Poirot, a famous Belgian detective, who has an impeccable knack for getting embroiled in a mystery, solves crimes along with Captain Hastings and Scotland Yard Chief Inspector James Japp.Although previously not interested in mysteries, David Suchet's habitually meticulous research allowed him to quickly become intimately familiar with Christie's Belgian sleuth and the workings of his little gray cells - and to slip so much into Poirot's skin that it is now difficult to pick up a Poirot book without instantly hearing Suchet's voice as that of the great little detective.
- StarsHelen MirrenJohn BenfieldTom BellA female police detective investigates a series of serial murders while dealing with sexist hostility from her male comrades.Helen Mirren is simply one of the best actresses alive today.
- StarsJack ShepherdHelen MastersJimmy YuillSet in Cornwall, Detective Superintendent Charles Wycliffe, who works along with his colleagues DI Doug Kersey and DI Lucy Lane, investigates murder cases with his trademark determination and clinical accuracy.Jack Shepard has been described as being 'pitch perfect' in the role. And how.
- StarsDawn FrenchJames FleetTrevor PeacockA boisterous female minister comes to serve in an eccentrically conservative village's church.Even the Prime Minister was a fan.
- StarsJohn ThawKevin WhatelyJames GroutChief Inspector Morse has an ear for Western classical music, a taste for beer, and a nose for crime. He and Detective Sergeant Robert Lewis solve intriguing cases in and around the Oxford area.John Thaw was the most bankable actor in Britain - everything he did was a success. This is his best.
- StarsRobert CarlyleRalph RiachBrian PettiferHamish Macbeth is a police constable in the small Scottish town of Lochdubh, who occasionally bends the rules when it suits him or when it can help some of his fellow eccentric townsfolk.Robert Carlyle has enuf acting range to play the Scotty dog if he had to!
- CreatorAndrew PayneStarsRichard GriffithsMaggie SteedMalcolm SinclairDI Crabbe retires from the police force after being shot and sets up his own restaurant. However, his ex-boss, Assistant Chief Constable Fisher constantly calls Crabbe back on duty.One of the best British mystery series around. A lot of this is due to rotund Richard Griffiths and the rest of the cast, and to the clever plots and dialog.
- StarsMichael GambonGeoffrey HutchingsJack GallowayFrom Montmartre to the remote French countryside, Maigret encounters the dark side of the human psyche. Yet, he manages to maintain both compassion and a sense of humor as he explores the complex motives that lie behind every crime.Michael Gambon a standout as the droll and humane Inspector Jules Maigret. Supporting him are a roster of some of the best of British film actors, with exceptional turns by Edward Petherbridge, Peter Barkworth, Tony Doyle and Jon Finch, and capped with a startling performance by Susie Lindeman in the series' final episode, Maigret and the Maid.
- CreatorDominic MinghellaMark CrowdyCraig FergusonStarsMartin ClunesCaroline CatzIan McNeiceThe trials and tribulations of Martin Ellingham, a brilliant but socially challenged doctor who moves from London to the picturesque village of Port Wenn in Cornwall.The acting is first-rate and really pulls through the excellent writing. Clunes creates in Doc Martin a character that you hate to love.
- CreatorNigel McCreryRoy MitchellStarsDennis WatermanAmanda RedmanAlun ArmstrongThree retired police officers are drafted in to solve cold cases, with a touch of comedy and dramaWhat a wonderful contrast to the emaciated girlies and Hollywood pretty boys that typically inhabit the leading roles in American crimes series.
- StarsChristopher TimothyRobert HardyPeter DavisonThe trials and misadventures of the staff of a country veterinary office in Yorkshire from the 1930s to the 1950s.The acting -- especially from Robert Hardy as Siegfried -- is so superb from this little ensemble. There is the stuff of greatness about the inherent tension, irony and exquisitely restrained comedy of the trio.
