The Barchester Chronicles is a 1982 British television serial produced by Jonathan Powell for the BBC. It is an adaptation by Alan Plater of Anthony Trollope's first two Chronicles of Barsetshire, The Warden (1855) and Barchester Towers (1857). The series was directed by David Giles. Location work was videotaped in and around Peterborough Cathedral, using locations such as the Deanery and Laurel Court.
Plot overview
The clerical community around Barchester's cathedral is rocked by a press investigation into the finances of Hiram's Hospital almshouse. Following the death of the bishop in the midst of the controversy, the chaplain and wife of the new bishop lead a reforming crusade, which arouses strong opposition within the diocese. These public events have a significant effect on the private lives of many of those involved.
Cast
Donald Pleasence as Mr Harding
Nigel Hawthorne as Archdeacon Grantly
Angela Pleasence as Mrs Grantly
Cyril Luckham as Bishop Grantly
David Gwillim as John Bold
George Costigan as Tom Towers
John Ringham as Finney
Barbara Flynn as Mary Bold
Janet Maw as Eleanor Harding
Clive Swift as Bishop Proudie
Geraldine McEwan as Mrs Proudie
Alan Rickman as Obadiah Slope
Susan Hampshire as Signora Madeline Neroni
Ursula Howells as Miss Thorne
Peter Blythe as Bertie Stanhope
Susan Edmonstone as Charlotte Stanhope
Joseph O'Conor as Bunce
Jonathan Adams as Mr Quiverful
Maggie Jones as Mrs Quiverful
Clifford Parrish as Handy
Derek New as Mr Arabin
Richard Bebb as Dr Stanhope
William Redgrave as Samuel Grantly
Trevor Baxter as Dr. Gwynne
Wally Thomas as Moody
Kenneth Keeling as Gazy
Denis Carey as Skulpit
Richard Leech as Wilfred Thorne
George Malpas as the ticket collector
Mischa De La Motte as The Dean
Raymond Platt as Haphazard's clerk
Alec Bregonzi as a Footman
Paddy Ward as Hotel Waiter
Roger Booth as Plomacy
Joe Ritchie as Coffee House Waiter
Michael Aldridge as Sir Abraham Haphazard
Phyllida Law as Mrs. Stanhope
Ian Brimble as Harry Greenacre
Keith Marsh as Bell
Jim Baker as Quiverfull child
Harold Gasnier as Form Tutor
Filming locations
Peterborough Cathedral
Chavenage House, Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Abbots Gate, Peterborough Cathedral
The Deanery, Gravel Walk, Peterborough Cathedral
Laurel Court, Vineyard Road, Peterborough
Awards
The series won a BAFTA award for Design (Chris Pemsel) in 1982, also being nominated for Drama Series/Serial (Jonathan Powell, David Giles), Costume Design (Juanita Waterson), Graphics (Stewart Austin), Make Up (Elizabeth Rowell), Sound Supervisor (Chick Anthony), Video Cameraman (Geoff Feld), and Video Lighting (Howard King).