The Barchester Chronicles
“Donald Pleasence is the clergyman at the centre of a scandal.”
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About
The Barchester Chronicles is a 1982 BBC television serial produced by Jonathan Powell and dramatised by Alan Plater, based on Anthony Trollope's first two Chronicles of Barsetshire, The Warden (1855) and Barchester Towers (1857). Against the sumptuous background of Peterborough Cathedral and its environs, one is carried into Trollope's world of the intriguing machinations of the clerical establishment of Barchester. Backed by the authenticity of the period detail, the portrayal of all the characters accurately conveys the whole range of human emotions within the stories.
Cast
Episodes
Miniseries
Part One
Reverend Septimus Harding is much-loved in Barchester, perhaps the most beloved citizen in the county. In addition to the work at his church, which includes a superb choir, he is also Warden of a local hospital where a group of elderly gentlemen reside and receive a small stipend from the will of a benefactor who died some 400 years ago. Dr John Bold has been tasked to look into this will to determine if its wishes are being correctly applied. He is particularly concerned Harding is in receipt of an annual stipend of £800 per year — a considerable increase in the original amount owing to a vast increase in the value of the property — while its residents receive only 1s6d per day.
Part Two
Eleanor pleads with Bold to stop his attacks on her father. He doesn't see his attack as personal but in fact against the perceived corruption of the Church of England, whose members live in luxury while the poor starve. In the end, he agrees to stop the court action and so informs Archdeacon Grantly, Harding's son-in-law. Eleanor and John agree to be married. It's not all that simple for Harding, however, as he's greatly disturbed by the accusations against him and travels to London to speak to the Church's solicitor, Sir Abraham Haphazard. Although the suit is dropped, he asks counsel if it's also a moral victory. When Haphazard says he's unable to speak to morality, Harding decides to resign as Warden.
Part Three
Some years have now passed and Harding is happy in his new parish. Eleanor has wed John but he unexpectedly dies, leaving a widow with a young son. Bishop Grantly, well over 80 years old, also dies and his son, the Archdeadon, expects to be named Bishop in his place. Such is not to be, however, and the new Bishop and his wife soon arrive. Along with Bishop and Mrs Proudie comes his assistant Obadiah Slope. Archdeacon Grantly soon concludes that the new Bishop defers decisions to his wife and she to Slope. When the Bishop asks Slope to deliver the Sunday sermon at the Cathedral, Slope rails against the need for music during services, much to Harding's dismay. Slope is soon calling on the widowed Mrs Bold showing a great interest in her and suggesting that her father may be considered for his old post as Warden of the hospital.
Part Four
As suggested by Proudie, Harding calls on Slope to discuss the possibility of being reappointed Warden of the hospital. Septimus is offended not only by Slope's manner but also the conditions he's laid down should the appointment be accepted. Slope is clearly using the appointment to his own advantage. Rather than arrange for a meeting with the Bishop as Septimus Harding had requested, he reports that Harding rejected the offer. Slope then offers the post to Mr Quiverful, who is more than pleased to accept, given that his household includes fourteen children. Slope continues to dangle the possibility of her father's appointment with Eleanor, in whom he has an interest — or at least interest in the fact that she is a rich widow.
Part Five
Slope continues to manipulate those around him. Having overstepped the mark and offered the position of hospital Warden to Quiverful, he gets Proudie to agree that should Quiverful opt to withdraw his acceptance, they would be in a position to offer it once again to Harding. Slope manipulates the kindly Quiverful into withdrawing his acceptance but doesn't quite count on Mrs Quiverful, who goes straight to Mrs Proudie to complain. When the Bishop's wife learns that Slope used her name in his dealings with Quiverful, he makes an enemy that no man would dare want. Slope has also continued his visits to Signora Madeline Neroni, with whom he is clearly smitten. Meanwhile, Harding and Eleanor visit the Archdeacon and elder daughter Susan. Mr Grantly is still preparing to go to war with Slope and objects when Eleanor receives a letter from him.
Part Six
Slope's machinations are slowly catching up to him. The Dean of Barchester Cathedral is on his death bed and many in the community are outraged when an article appears in the local newspaper suggesting that Slope should be named as his replacement. It's apparent to everyone that Slope was the source of the suggestion. At the Thornes' annual garden party, Eleanor is hoping to spend some time with Francis Arabin, whom she finds intriguing. Slope, however, seems to interrupt any such attempt and when he finally proposes to her, she has a very sharp – and painful – response. To her amazement, Slope's isn't the only marriage proposal she receives that day.
Part Seven
Mrs Proudie is in charge again and the Bishop announces that Quiverful is to become the new Warden of the hospital. Slope's objections fall on deaf ears as does his suggestion that he should be named Dean. He realises that his future is indeed dire. Harding is thrilled to be offered the post of Dean, leading his son-in-law and both daughters to rejoice. They're not prepared however for his response to the offer. Following Madeline Neroni's advice, Eleanor makes her feelings for Francis known.
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About The Barchester Chronicles
“Donald Pleasence is the clergyman at the centre of a scandal.”
The Barchester Chronicles is a 1982 BBC television serial produced by Jonathan Powell and dramatised by Alan Plater, based on Anthony Trollope's first two Chronicles of Barsetshire, The Warden (1855) and Barchester Towers (1857). Against the sumptuous background of Peterborough Cathedral and its environs, one is carried into Trollope's world of the intriguing machinations of the clerical establishment of Barchester. Backed by the authenticity of the period detail, the portrayal of all the characters accurately conveys the whole range of human emotions within the stories. Across 1 season and 7 episodes, originally airing on BBC Two.
The Barchester Chronicles Cast and Characters
The cast features Donald Pleasence (as Septimus Harding), Janet Maw (as Eleanor Harding), Nigel Hawthorne (as Dr Grantly), and Angela Pleasence (as Mrs. Grantly). Their performances are a major reason The Barchester Chronicles has built such a passionate audience.
Where to Watch The Barchester Chronicles Online
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▶ Watch The Barchester Chronicles NowWhy People Are Watching The Barchester Chronicles
The Barchester Chronicles flies under the radar but it deserves your attention. What makes it work is emotional weight that hits where it counts. If you enjoy Inglés storytelling that doesn't follow the same tired beats, this is the kind of show you'll end up recommending to friends.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Barchester Chronicles
Where can I watch The Barchester Chronicles online for free?
You can watch The Barchester Chronicles online free on CineFlixo. Just open the page and hit play — no signup, no subscription, full HD streaming on phone, tablet, or desktop.
How many episodes does The Barchester Chronicles have?
The Barchester Chronicles has 7 episodes across 1 season. All episodes are available to stream right here on CineFlixo.
Is The Barchester Chronicles good? What's the rating?
The Barchester Chronicles holds a 7.3/10 rating based on 6 reviews — well above average.
Who is in the cast of The Barchester Chronicles?
The main cast includes Donald Pleasence, Janet Maw, Nigel Hawthorne, and Angela Pleasence.
Is The Barchester Chronicles available in Inglés?
Yes — The Barchester Chronicles was originally produced in Inglés and that's the version you'll stream here on CineFlixo. English subtitles are provided when available.
When was The Barchester Chronicles released?
The Barchester Chronicles first aired in 1982.
Do I need an account to watch The Barchester Chronicles on CineFlixo?
No. CineFlixo is free and you can watch The Barchester Chronicles without creating an account. Sign-up is optional — only useful if you want a personal Watchlist or to comment on episodes.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch The Barchester Chronicles for free?
You can watch The Barchester Chronicles online for free on CineFlixo. All 7 episodes across 1 season are available to stream in HD without a subscription, signup, or paywall. Just open the show page and press play.
How many seasons and episodes does The Barchester Chronicles have?
The Barchester Chronicles currently has 1 season and a total of 7 episodes. The series status is "Ended", so the episode count may grow as new seasons are released. You can browse the full episode list on CineFlixo and continue watching from where you left off.
What is The Barchester Chronicles about?
The Barchester Chronicles is a 1982 BBC television serial produced by Jonathan Powell and dramatised by Alan Plater, based on Anthony Trollope's first two Chronicles of Barsetshire, The Warden (1855) and Barchester Towers (1857). Against the sumptuous background of Peterborough Cathedral and its environs, one is ca… It belongs to the Drama genre.
In which language is The Barchester Chronicles originally available?
The Barchester Chronicles was originally produced in English. On CineFlixo the show is available in its original English audio, which is the most authentic way to experience the dialogue, music, and performances. Check the player options on the watch page for available subtitle tracks.
When was The Barchester Chronicles first released?
The Barchester Chronicles first premiered on November 10, 1982 (1982). The series has since concluded its run.
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