The Pallisers, Set 1 (1977)

What would you get if you combined the BBC, six Victorian novels, and a cheesy 1970s soap opera? Well, this! The Pallisers is as lavish in its aristocratic intrigues (political scandal and opportunity, lecherous dukes, palatial country houses, a world where everyone knows their place) as it is in its soap opera aesthetic (characters' tumultuous struggles for power, money, love). This made-for-television production is a strange blend of exquisite costuming, remarkable sets, and surprisingly good acting on the one hand and video-quality production and an utterly melodramatic script on the other. Definitely pleasurable viewing for all who enjoy watching the period passion, pomp, and politics of upper-class Victorians.

Set 1 contains the first 8 episodes of the BBC's 26-episode serialization of Anthony Trollope's Palliser novels (1865-1880), introducing Plantagenet Palliser and Lady Glencora, whose politically expedient marriage sets the stage for the rest of the Palliser dynasty's saga. The DVD's special features include a 36-page viewer's guide, an interview with Susan Hampshire (Lady Glencora), and information on Anthony Trollope, his fiction, and the Trollope Society. --Tara Chace Amazon.com

Magnificent soap opera played out against Victorian politics

After Susan Hampshire had played Fleur Forsyte, Becky Sharp, and Lady Sarah Churchill for the great BBC miniseries of the late 60s and early 70s it might have seemed inevitable that she was called upon to play her greatest part, Lady Glencora M'Cluskie Palliser, when the BBC decided to adapt Trollope's six "Parliamentary" novels over the period of three years beginning in 1974. Oddly enough, as she explains in an interview extra on this DVD, the part was originally slated to be played by Hayley Mills. But when Mills had to bow out for personal reasons, Hampshire was called to play the part she was almost born to essay, and the greatest treat in this terrific Victorian soap opera is watching her lovely and loopy "Lady Glen," the wealthiest titled woman in England who is yet so childlike and insecure she clutches a doll during her early married years. Hampshire intentionally makes Glencora maddeningly silly at times but also plays her always with a real core of generosity and kindness. She is nearly equalled by Philip Latham as her dull and pedantic but goodhearted husband Platagenet Palliser, the heir to the richest dukedom in England.

The first few epsiodes of this series are a bit shaky, since the writers try to expand upon things that are backstory in the six "Palliser" novels, namely the arranged marriage of Plantagenet and Lady Glencora. Although the adapters come up with good reasons why Palliser would be persuaded to marry this frivolous (but wealthy) woman, they did not fully convince us why Glencora would give up her true love Burgo Fitzgerald for Palliser: we see her resisting and resisting the marriage schemes of her titled gargoyles of aunts, and then all of a sudden she's agreed to marry Plantagenet. But once the series gets going it gets better and better, and it has the added delight of a fully first-rate cast in the other roles, particularly Anna Massey (in a rare change from the unsympathetic roles she usually portrayed) as the intelligent Lady Laura Standish, who makes an ill-advised marriage to a repressive religious fanatic, and Barbara Murray as the fascinating Madame Max. March 30, 2005

You Must See Them ALL - Brilliant Series!

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! March 31, 2004

Brilliant Television

I fell in love with this series when it was screened several years ago here on cable television. Although by today's period drama standards it could be called, 'tacky' due to the studio like nature of the filming, it is compeling viewing! You'll find yourself adoring Glencora, Palliser and even the old Duke.

If you've read the novels, you won't be disappointed as the series plays them out faithfully.

Susan Hampshire is stunning.

Perfection. February 6, 2004

One of the best series ever filmed.

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. November 2, 2003

Fine, fine adaptation of Trollope's Palliser novels

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. July 14, 2003

More reviews at Amazon.com ...