I just stumbled on the title of the series while looking up some movies to rent on Netflix. I really enjoyed the movie Name of the Rose, which seems quite similar to this. Please, tell me your thoughts on the show, I'm quite interested.
I think you should give it a try. The mysteries and suspense are clever, and Derek Jacobi is a wonderful actor and a dlightful Brother Cadfael.
shareI love it. Was introduced to it by chance while staying over at a relative's place and saw the Devil's Novice.
The best way to describe the show is CSI meets Robin Hood (or other British medieval folklore).
I expect you'll be sorted by now, but if you enjoy historical drama, etc., this is a really good and unusual one. The author, Ellis Peters (actually Joyce something, I think) is a leading expert on the period of English history = 12th century, I think, when there was a kindn of civil war raging between the supporters of King Stephen (? Wm the Conquerors grandson), and those of his mother, the Empress Matilda. Mostly taking place in Shropshire and the Welsh borders. Sort of obscure but quite fascinating and entertaining. Anyway, I wish they'd show some repeats on satellite,.
shareThe author's real name was Edith Pargetter, she died in 1995.
shareAnd the rival claimant was Stephen's cousin, Maud. She was the daughter of the previous king, Henry I, Wm the Conquerer's youngest (of 3) sons. Stephen was the son of Henry's sister.
Henry's only son drowned when his ship sank on his honeymoon and Henry had ordered his barons & nobles to support Maud's claim to the throne. She was living in France when he died and Stephen grabbed the throne. Many or most of the nobility didn't really want a FEMALE ruler & supported him.
He ended up being quite a good king, & the country would have been much better off without the civil war.
His son also died, & Maud's son became Henry II.
Maude is also known as Matilda.
shareYes, I think Matilda was her real name, but Stephen's wife was also Matilda, so Ellis Peters (&, I think, most people of the day) used her nickname/diminutive as her name. It created less confusion.
Both women were probably named after William the Conqueror's wife, who was Matilda of Flanders.
Nice to 'meet' a fellow enthusiast.
A fantastic series! My husband is a diehard Holmes fan...or was, until I discovered Cadfael at our local library and brought him home. Cadfael comes first now. ;) We now are watching two episodes a week working through the entire series (using the library and Netflix).
sharethis is an awesome series, it really is. I highly recommend it.
Warner Bros has answered our prayers-- BLADE RUNNER: FINAL CUT--in theaters and DVD in 2007 !
For those wanting repeats, it's on ITV3 in the UK every Saturday afternoon.
shareAnd all this weekend on ITV3 Ch 119 UK Sky.
shareIt's okay, but if you've seen one episode you've basically seen them all.
shareIt was a fantastic series, but not as good as the books themselves which had more historic detail. I agree with a previous comment that the "Virgin in the Ice" was the best filmed. It also had the gorgeous Robert Cavannagh as Cadfael's son (who featured in a few more of the books).
Cats rule, dogs drool!
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It's an excellent series a little gem that they should finish filming.Well made and acted and features some first rate storylines.
Then again this particular character has no reason to reappear in following episodes, so the fact the actor has aged doesn't matter. As for Cadfael, judging by how Derek Jacobi looks these days, I wouldn't mind seeing him again as a somewhat older Cadfael; it's all right, Cadfael can age too. The rest of the cast... Well, Hugh has been recast so many times already, what's to prevent them from recasting him yet again? Or not: if Cadfael/jacobi has aged, then maybe they could cast the now older Pertwee to reprise his role. The "staff" at the abbey could be entirely recast if the actors are no longer available, with very little hurt to the realism of the story: people die, people go to other abbeys, new abbots are appointed etc... I would miss the prior if he wasn't there anymore, but I would still watch and enjoy the show. Jerome's only function is to be a pain in the, ahem, neck, a different character can do just the same. No big deal.
My only real problem would be a different actor for Cadfael himself. I love Jacobi.
"Occasionally I'm callous and strange."
very good
No, it is not a good series. It is an AMAZING series!
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