Cadfael

Even though it first was broadcast in 1994, this series is still one of my favourites.  I’ve watched the programmes many times and still enjoy them.

I had read a couple of Ellis Peters’ (Edith Pargeter) medieval detective stories before I saw the masterful TV dramatisations and I wasn’t disappointed with the results.

The character of Cadfael was brilliantly portrayed by Derek Jacobi in this series. The Welsh herbalist monk living in an English abbey during the first half of the 12^th century was an unusual one. He came late to monastic life having spent half his life as a Crusader where he became a skillful observer of human nature and learned a range of skills while a prisoner of the Muslims. Cadfael has a worldly knowledge which sets him apart from his fellow monks, it makes him more understanding of people both rich and poor and their problems, this gets him into trouble with his superiors.

The background of the civil war between King Stephen and Empress Maud is there throughout the series and the crimes Cadfael “investigates” are often a result of this terrible time. Shrewsbury Abbey provides a place of refuge and calm to refugees, spies and conspirators alike.

The programmes never showed any violence as the crimes had already been committed when Cadfael became involved. However violence there was, in abundance.

All the stories showed both the frailty and the strength of human nature. The screenplay of Ellis Peters’ stories was wonderful even if the screenplays were not always faithful to the books. 


I particularly loved Cadfael’s musings and comments such as:

"Under the certainty of heaven all that we can be sure of is tomorrow.  When yesterday is already ours, what more can we ask?" 

Of all the programmes, the one I remember most vividly is The Virgin in the Ice. The scenery and weather were bleak and matched the tale of treachery and violence. It told of the murder of a nun who was found by Cadfael in ice.  This story told us more about Cadfael’s previous life in The Holy Land. It also introduced Olivier de Bretagne, a Syrian-born squire, the son of a woman Cadfael had known in the Holy Land. He was Cadfael’s son.  Interestingly this is Derek Jacobi’s favourite too, as he said “Cadfaels’ past merges with his present”.

Here’s a clip from that episode

Wonderful! One of life's true delights.

If you want to find out more about the books and the TV series, here are a few places to check out:


Steve Conrad's website

ITV Drama

Wiki

If you want to see where the books are set you can find the Cadfael Car Trails on Shropshire Tourism 

Interestingly the TV series was filmed in Hungary, not Shropshire!

Harry O

I do love TV detective shows and there have been lots that I have really enjoyed over the years. However, if I had to choose just one, then Harry O wins my vote every time. Yes, it's my all time favourite TV detective series and Harry O's my favourite TV detective character.

I'll be honest and admit it probably wasn't the best series, Inspector Morse probably gets that accolade but Harry O's my choice.

Do you remember him? He was an unusual TV detective, not your Magnum PI or the flash Crockett & Tubbs. No, he was more like the British TV detectives, flawed and vulnerable but with w wry, sardonic sense of humour. Here's what Ed Robertson, TV Historian and author had to say about him:.

"Harry Orwell ... wasn’t like most private eyes. He owned a car, but rode the bus because his car was often “sick.” He couldn’t run well because of a bullet lodged in his back from his days on the San Diego police force. He really didn’t have to work: while his disability pension didn’t make him rich, it afforded him a life of simple pleasures. Though he didn’t work for free, he didn’t always work for money: he once let a client pay off his fee by working on his boat, The Answer. He could also afford to work “on the house” occasionally, if he truly believed in a client, or if he somehow felt he had let the client down. Jim Rockford would never do that."

I feel it's a shame that Warner Brothers has never released this series on DVD despite the fact there has been lots of scam websites selling poor copies or just taking the money and sending nothing. I have to keep watching little bits on YouTube. So I set up a petition to Warner Brothers to ask them to release it.

Take a look and if you could, make my day and please sign it. Maybe then I'd get to see Harry O again properly instead of having to watch bits and bobs on YouTube. You could enjoy it too!

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Anyone for a Tattoo?

More from my favourite female comedian Victoria Wood.

Mmmm! Wonder if it was a tattoo parlour like this my Dad visited to get his heart and anchor tattoo when he was in the Royal Navy!

Post No 5