Father Brown - Set 1
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Movie Reviews of Father Brown - Set 1
Movie Review: Father Brown Delights
Summary: 5 Stars
The quality of the stories alone make this set worthwhile. Far from being just another bunch of whodunits, each tale tells of some moral or theological problem. My favorite, "The Eye of Apollo," is full of contrasts between idealist cults and orthodox Christianity. As you might expect from the title, G. K. Chesterton explores the Nietzschean substrate of the cult and their search for power.
I have found that these stories merit multiple viewings, each time revealing resonances I had previously missed. I hope set 2 will be on the way soon.
Movie Review: Father Brown and Kenneth More
Summary: 5 Stars
I remember seeing some of these episodes on MYSTERY! many moons ago. I loved Chesterton's stories and these productions are very good. Kenneth More made a very good Father Brown, even though he was ill at the time. The productions are dated, but they are very well adapted otherwise. This is a very good introduction for someone who has not read Chesterton.Movie Review: Father Brown, Set 1
Summary: 5 Stars
The Father Brown Mysteries are classic. Good clean watching. A must for those who enjoy the greatness of British acting. I wish there were more series to watchMovie Review: Father Brown
Summary: 5 Stars
I've been hoping this series would become available in the US and now it has. Good stories, good acting--nobody does period drama and mystery like the British!Movie Review: Let's bless Father Brown for giving that excellent actor Kenneth More a fine role
Summary: 4 Stars
Not much escapes Father Brown, a quiet Catholic priest in Twenties England. He saves souls and he catches murderers. In the stories by G. K. Chesterton, Father Brown uses his theology and quite a bit of metaphysics to come to conclusions about behavior, crime and people; Chesterton uses the device of Father Brown to be the reason for these discussions as crime is being solved. It's not a bad formula and many people are passionate fans of the humble English priest.
When Lew Grade decided to make a TV mystery series out of the stories he had only one actor in mind for Father Brown, and that was Kenneth More. More wasn't so sure. It took a deal of persuading before More agreed. The result was 13 episodes of about 50 minutes each broadcast in 1974. What we have is a series of mysteries that move a little to fast for their own good; a lot gets packed into those 50 minutes. While most of the mysteries are interesting, there are a few clunkers...mysteries where the plot is simply unlikely or where only Father Brown could have possibly determined the villain. For those who enjoy philosophical disquisition on the ways of men and women, there's some of that, too. One drawback to the series is that there is no continuity except Kenneth More. Our priest simply pops up wherever a crime is being committed. He has no parish and seems to have no superiors who keep tabs on him. There is Flambeau, a former thief and good friend, who shows up now and then, but who doesn't add much to the proceedings. Occasionally we'll encounter an actor we know and like, such as Graham Crowden, Mel Martin, Oliver Ford Davis and Ronald Pickup in Set 1. For the most part, the actors are competent and anonymous. All this may sound like faint praise, but, at least in my opinion, the Father Brown mysteries don't reach the same level of interest as any number of other British TV mystery series do. Still, the series has one great plus...and that is Kenneth More.
More was 60 when he played Father Brown. He'd paid his dues in the Forties, had a career of great success in the Fifties and then in the Sixties had difficulty finding good roles. He bounced back briefly with his superb performance as Jolyon 'Jo' Forsythe in the Forsythe Saga (1967), but after that it was a series of star cameos and roles in not-so-good movies. Those qualities that made him such a vivid and charismatic actor -- energy, confidence, charm -- aren't a perfect fit for Father Brown. His skill as an actor, however, carries him through. We may not be watching Father Brown but Kenneth More as Father Brown, and that's not bad. Even though More tones it down, sometimes twinkles and gives a thoughtful and humble portrayal, I can't help but see every know and then a gleam of amusement in More's eyes.
For those who like the Father Brown stories, you may enjoy these mysteries. For those who admire Kenneth More, and I'm one of them, they're a good deal of fun. The DVD transfers are variable. The shows were produced in 1974 and have sharp interiors and poor exteriors. For the exterior scenes the picture can be a bit faded and too soft. This is not a great enough flaw to keep anyone from purchasing the set. One assumes that the second set of six episodes will become available soon.
Another take on the mystery-solving priest is provided by Alec Guinness in the 1954 movie, Father Brown (titled The Detective for the U.S. release). It's an amusing duel of wits and belief between Father Brown and that classy thief, Flambeau, played by Peter Finch, with Joan Greenwood in delectable support. The movie is not out on DVD, but the VHS tape may still be available.