The Cadfael Collection
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Movie Reviews of The Cadfael Collection
Movie Review: Sir Derek and the Chronicles of a Truly Rare Benedictine.
Summary: 5 Stars
When the decision was made to produce for TV several episodes from her mystery series about Brother Cadfael, that 12th century crusader turned monk turned detective who has been, ever since his creation, one of the most compassionate and unusual sleuths of literary history, novelist Ellis Peters (Edith Pargeter) was not entirely happy. In fact, as the series' star, Sir Derek Jacobi, explains in the extra footage provided on the now-released DVDs, Ms. Peters had very mixed feelings about giving up her brain child and entrusting it to other people who went about cutting and adjusting everything, from the storylines themselves to the way the protagonists speak and even the Chronicles' sequence, to the necessities and limitations set by the new medium. But she eventually acquiesced and at one point promised that "the next one I write, I'll make sure it's easier for you all to film."
While the thirteen episodes that were eventually produced are, thus, not entirely true to the individual Chronicles they are based on, they are closer than many other movie or TV versions of famous works of literature. Most importantly, they maintain not only the core story lines but also the historical authenticity, atmosphere and spirit set by Ms. Peters's books in a marvelous fashion. And Sir Derek Jacobi brings both the wealth of his experience and skill and all of his own shrewdness, intelligence, sense of humor and empathy to the role of the medieval Benedictine sleuth and thus truly becomes Cadfael - for the thousands of new fans who are discovering the series through its enactment for TV just as much as for us who loved the books before they were ever transposed to a visual medium. A tremendous cast of supporting actors rounds out an overall excellent production; to mention just a few, Julian Firth as the ambitious and narrow-minded Brother Jerome, Terrence Hardiman as Abbot Radolfus and Sean Pertwee (and later Eoin McCarthy) as Under-Sheriff Hugh Beringar, who joins Cadfael in his investigations whenever, as is so often the case, these transcend the world of monastic life and require the administration of secular justice as well as clerical insight. Several episodes also feature noted guest stars.
The episodes are not entirely in the same order as the books; however, as most of the cross-references between the books have been eliminated in the screen versions, this is no great harm (although the lacking cross-references are probably one of the things avid readers of the books will find missing). The DVDs also provide background information on Ellis Peters, Sir Derek Jacobi and a number of the individual episodes' other actors.
Summary of the individual episodes:
"One Corpse Too Many" (second Chronicle): King Stephen lays siege to Shrewsbury Castle and, finally victorious, orders the surviving defenders to be executed. But then there's an extra corpse, who clearly wasn't executed. Whodunnit - and why?
"Monk's Hood" (third Chronicle): Cadfael's and Shrewsbury Abbey's honor is at stake when a guest is found poisoned by Cadfael's own potions ... and the sheriff's sergeant over-eagerly jumps to the wrong conclusions.
"The Leper of St. Giles" (fifth Chronicle): A leper's grim fate is unexpectedly intertwined with the story of an orphaned heiress, due to be wedded for money's sake to a despicable old baron, and her lover; who is everybody's favorite suspect when the groom turns up dead.
"The Sanctuary Sparrow" (seventh Chronicle): A young singer is accused of robbery and murder and, hunted by a mob, seeks shelter in the Abbey.
"St. Peter's Fair" (fourth Chronicle): While traders arrive from near and far, townsfolk claim a share of the Abbey's dues from the annual fair. Then a merchant is found murdered - but there's more to this than meets the eye!
"The Virgin in the Ice" (sixth Chronicle): After the sack of Worcester by Empress Maud, a nun, a young nobleman and his sister get lost in the Marshes. Cadfael rushes to the rescue - and meets a messenger from his own past!
"The Devil's Novice" (eighth Chronicle): The Abbey accepts a novice with a troubling zeal for monastic life (but not its virtues), who may or may not be connected to the death of a cleric traveling through his home village.
"A Morbid Taste for Bones" (first Chronicle): The monks mount an expedition to Wales to retrieve the bones of a local saint after a young monk claims to have seen the saint in a vision in which she asked that her bones be brought to Shrewsbury. The mission runs into serious trouble when the local lord, who has opposed it, is found murdered.
"The Raven in the Foregate" (twelfth Chronicle): Cadfael must solve the mystery behind two deaths; one of a young woman who (unsuccessfully) sought his spiritual advice, the other of the priest to whom Cadfael sent her: the new priest in Shrewsbury's foregate, an ambitious, power-hungry cleric in direct allegiance with King Stephen.
"The Rose Rent" (thirteenth Chronicle): A grieving young widow, beset by suitors, gives her house to the abbey for a single rose's annual rent. But her gift of beauty turns bloody when the emissary delivering the rose, a young monk, is found murdered.
"The Pilgrim of Hate" (tenth Chronicle): A cripple, his sister and two brothers on a painful pilgrimage meet at the Abbey during the annual feast of St. Winifred. Soon, the question arises whether religion is primarily penance or faith in God's love of mankind.
"The Potter's Field" (seventeenth Chronicle): The discovery of the bones of a woman in a field once belonging to a potter turned monk leads Cadfael to unveil a harrowing tale of love, loss and a deadly wager.
"The Holy Thief" (nineteenth Chronicle): Competitors for the possession of St. Winifred's relics show up in Shrewsbury! Then the holy bones disappear, a monk is found murdered - and a tonsured troubadour finds his lady love.
Also recommended:
A Rare Benedictine
A Morbid Taste for Bones: The First Chronicle of Brother Cadfael
One Corpse Too Many: The Second Chronicle of Brother Cadfael
Monk's Hood: The Third Chronicle of Brother Cadfael
Leper of Saint Giles (Brother Cadfael Mysteries)
The Virgin in the Ice (Brother Cadfael Mysteries)
Brother Cadfael's Penance (Brother Cadfael Mysteries)
A Bloody Field by Shrewsbury
Movie Review: 5 stars AT LEAST
Summary: 5 Stars
Now that all 13 episodes of (Sir) Derek Jacobi's landmark mystery series "Cadfael" are now available in a single package, it's time to give this treasure a good look. The bound-leather look of the collection is nice, even if it's obviously not mediaeval. It has convenient double trays and a clever faux clasp to hold it shut.
"Cadfael" is based on the novels of Ellis Peters (pen name of Edith Pargeter). It's set in 1138-1144/5, during the spotty reign of Stephen of Blois - King of England 1135-1154 - and his civil war with his cousin "Empress" Maud (or Matilda). Stephen's claim to the throne was less compelling than that of Matilda (or Maud), as he was the son of William I's daughter Adela and had already sworn to support his cousin's claim. Maud's (or Matilda's) claim was better, since she was the daughter of William II. Her title "Empress" was only a courtesy because, although she had been wife to Holy Roman Emperor Henry V, she had never been crowned. Despite his oath Stephen quickly appeared to claim the throne when William II died. Matilda (or Maud) came to England in 1138 and a bitter civil war ensued. "Cadfael" begins in 1138, when Stephen seems to be gaining the upper hand. He has just captured the Shropshire area, subsequently executing a large number of his enemies - thus effecting the taming of Shrewsbury.
I expect some really sincere groans after that....
Brother Cadfael is the herbalist and, in consequence, as close to a doctor as Shrewsbury Abbey is likely to get. His medical practices are fairly advanced for the time - but then, any genuinely medical practices would be. Cadfael has come late to his monkish vocation, having spent 3 or 4 decades in Palestine on Crusade. He has an interesting past ... many details of which we learn as the series progresses. Learned for his time, and being clever and inquisitive, Cadfael's avocation is solving murder mysteries. Derek Jacobi invests the character with enormous humanity and compassion in brilliant and nuanced performances.
In fact, "Cadfael" is an ensemble of excellent performances. Not least of these is the performance of the technical staff in reproducing the squalor and degradation of living in 12th-Century England. At the height of the Little Ice Age, England was a less pleasant and productive land than it is now - a situation exacerbated by the collapse of Romano-British civilization, the deep-rootedness of Christian superstition, and the triumph of Norman greed. Interestingly, this period is equally well portrayed in a comedy, the hilarious Brit series "Dark Ages".
The mysteries that involve Cadfael are complex and interesting, lasting about 1 hour 15 minutes each. His task is made more difficult by the rampant sophomoric thinking of the times and the numerous uptight personalities who think they're better than anyone else.
Speaking of personalities ... this series is full of them, all highly interesting and individualized, portrayed by accomplished actors. While the murders pose interesting puzzles - especially in the absence of modern forensics - it's the interactions of the characters that really make the stories. (As to forensics, Cadfael is surprisingly thorough and almost scientific. This is almost a century before the prime of Roger Bacon, an era of the triumph of religion and therefore the abasement of empiricism - and yet, here is Cadfael.)
Most of the main characters are involved in the abbey. This is, initially, headed by Abbot Heribert (oddly [for the time] spelt "Herribert"). He is played with gentle gravitas by Peter Copley. By decision of a church council, Heribert is quickly replaced by, Radulphis, played with assertive gravitas by Terrence Hardiman. Whilst Heribert tended to give Cadfael his head, Radulphus began his tenure as more skeptical of Cadfael's abilities. However, he quickly came to depend on Cadfael in difficult situations involving murder.
Cadfael's nemesis in most circumstances is Brother Robert, the abbey Prior, played with stuffy all-purpose disapproval by Michael Culver. In his grouchy skepticism, he's seconded by busybody Brother Jerome, played with prissy toadiness by Julian Firth. It's not always clear what this pair is up to, but they're always up to it together. Cadfael is assisted by young Brother Oswin, played with earnest immaturity by Mark Charnock. His clumsiness is a running joke for a time, but this is later wisely abandoned.
Cadfael's main ally is the Under Sheriff, Hugh Beringar - originally a partisan of Matilda (or Maud) who ultimately swore loyalty to Stephen and was raised to his current post. He is played very authoritatively by Sean Pertwee - easily the best bit of eye candy in the series. Alas, Beringar is played by 3 actors. Pertwee has the rôle during Season 1, Eoin McCarthy in Seasons 2-3, and Anthony Green in Season 4. The latter two do well, but the viewer misses Pertwee's affable authority. Beringar is assisted by a Sergeant, Will Warden, a hulking berserker sort, prone to arrest first and ask no questions after, played with appropriate menace by Albie Woodington. He doesn't appear in the last season, alas.
"Sheriff", by the way, should more properly be spelt "sherrif". The Old English is scir gerefa, later rendered as "shir[e] reeve" once the "ge" syllable had been lost (nasty Teutonic thing). Conflating into a single word, we should have been left with a double R (and a single F). Such are the vagaries of English. Ask me about the abomination "dwarfs" some time.
The generally top-notch actors give real life to some top-notch stories. But these are, of course, British films. It's amazing that this country, with a fine and sophisticated mystery tradition of its own, has produced little to rival the great British mystery series. The viewer should of course be aware that (as usual) the original novels have been tampered with whilst bringing them to the screen. Some of this tampering seems excessive and unnecessary and one would think that the Brits would give us greater fidelity to the originals than the tamper maniacs in Hollywood. Be that as it may, "Cafael" is one of those great series and this set is the most convenient and most economical way to get it.
Movie Review: Cadfael consigns I Claudius to ancient history - Simply superb medieval Who-dunnits
Summary: 5 Stars
Well filmed, well acted, medieval who-dunnits in the vein of equally superb 'Name of the Rose'. As no doubt everyone reading this knows, English/Welsh Cadfael is the worldly wise 12th century Benedictine monk who solves murder mysteries while providing herbal remedies and medicines (so he knows his poisons). Having been on the Crusades and been disappointed in love, Cadfael is far more down to Earth and sensible than his `stay at home' snooty & spiritual monk superiors who often find him an irritation. Being Derek Jacobi he is also very nice, in a totally ruthless Miss Marple 'Nemesis' sort of way. The series is also fairly accurate historically, and include real event's like the siege of Shrewsbury by Stephen in 1138 that forms the setting for One Corpse Too Many. Like-wise all love interest is strictly between those of the same class.
The series is set in Shrewsbury Abbey, Shropshire, near the volatile Welsh border. The stories are set between about 1135 and about 1145, during the civil war between the forces of King Stephen and Empress Maud (eventually Stephen agreed a peace where he became king and Maud (Matilda)'s son was recognised as his heir - but that's not important). The thirteen episodes (most recent first) on the DVDs are : The Holy thief, The Potter Field, Pilgrim of Hate, The Rose Rent, St Peter's fair, The Raven in the Foregate, The Virgin in the ice, The Devils Novice, A morbid taste for bones, One Corpse too many, The Sanctuary Sparrow, The Leper of St Giles, Monks Hood. This is all the seasons, one to four, that were first shown 1994 to 1998. My favourite is `A morbid taste for bones', based around a search for St Winefride's body in Wales.
I read that each episode cost a packet to produce (and it shows) so the whole series in one box set is good value for the viewer. The original twenty 'Ellis Peters' Cadfael books are also a good read and add a bit more background (the author Edith Pargeter has now sadly died). My wife, a fan of the books and Derek Jacobi, loves both to bits. The series broadly follows the feel of the books, but some episodes have changes to the book plot to reduce the size of the speaking cast, the running time, and the need for expensive special effects. However, one episode, The Pilgrim of Hate, bears almost no resemblance to the book save a few of the characters sharing the names. But it's a great atmospheric TV series none the less. The only downside is that this DVD set is often expensive in the US (it's nearer $60 in the UK). If you like this, also have a look at Richard E Grants 'The Scarlet Pimpernel' (if you can find it) and the Sharpe with Wellies `Horatio Hornblower' 18th/19th century TV series with Ioan Gruffudd.
Movie Review: Wonderful Series!!
Summary: 5 Stars
This was a TV series based on an equally great book series. For the most part, the DVD's follow the books, but not always, and some books were skipped completely.
Cadfael is a Welsh monk and former crusader living in an English monastery in the 1100's I think it is. The actual civil war between Empress Maude and King Steven is in the background and sometimes in the foreground of the series. This is definitely for people who like history. I am told that it is done very accurately by those who know these things. Looked pretty well done to me.
Cadfael is an herbalist and so very important in the monastery and area around it given the state of medicine at the time. He is a good person and an excellent judge of character and brings a touch of reality to the other monks who have led sheltered lives. He is also very good at solving mysteries, and he lives in very violent times - this is what makes the series of course.
The plots are all well done and the acting very good. Some of the other characters are really great. Brother Jerome is one of my favorites. You will love to hate him!! There is also a former "fallen woman" who becomes a nun who is great too, and you will like her.
Highly Recommended!!
Movie Review: Fabulous mysteries in a rich historical setting
Summary: 5 Stars
I've read all the Ellis Peters "Cadfael" novels, and am favorably impressed by the fine job the producers of the Cadfael series have done in bringing the books' rich cast of characters and wonderful sense of immersion in the ordinary and extraordinary details of life in 12th century Shrewsbury to the small screen. But for me, the make-or-break factor in bringing the monk-detective to the screen had to be the casting of Cadfael himself, and I cannot think of a better choice than the outstanding Derek Jacobi, who brings Cadfael to life as brilliantly and with the same powerful humanity as he did the Roman emperor Claudius in the terrific "I, Claudius" series. Refreshing, original mysteries by a fine historical author with a wonderful feel for creating living, breathing, suffering, and triumphant characters. If you'd enjoy a break from technology, the relentess fast pace of modern life, and smart-ass cinematic detectives, it's hard to beat time traveling back to medieval England for an evening with the caring, perceptive, tough, complex Brother Cadfael.