Description

Starring Emily Watson, 1997 Academy Award Nominee for Breaking the Waves. Based on the George Eliot novel, The Mill on the Floss is a powerful, emotional story about the choice between love and loyalty. As a child, Maggie Tulliver adores her brother Tom and desperately seeks his love and approval--but never receives it. While Tom grows up to be the kind of person the world approves of: dutiful and proud, Maggie becomes the kind of person the world judges harshly. A woman ahead of her time, brimming with intelligence and imagination, Maggie is difficult for her brother and the rest of her family to understand. Through her craving for intellectual stimulation, Maggie finds a kindred spirit in her childhood friend Philip Wakem. Though Philip feeds her mind, and eventually falls in love with her, Maggie finds her true passion is for her cousin Lucy's fiancee. Now she is faced with a choice: follow her heart or her sense of duty. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

The cliff notes version of a classic
Mill on the Floss is an incredible novel, and arguably George Eliot's greatest work. All of the characters are extremely well-developed, the story is beautiful and the ending is heart-rending in its abruptness.

The masterpiece theatre adaption of this wonderful book left me feeling somewhat empty. The main story is there, but it is unable to make a connection with the characters in the brief two hours. A lot of scenes are missing, a lot of character development is absent, and the viewer is thus left with characters acting through the story of the novel with barely any of the emotions that were attached to the words. Students and teachers be advised: Watching this movie will give you an idea of the novel's plot, but will leave you with a very superficial understanding of the characters. In other words, don't expect to ace the essay test if you watch this film and don't read the book. In the long run, I gave it 3 stars because it's hard to go wrong with this story, but it is definitely an example of the book being better than the movie. Read the novel, then watch this movie!

It's Worth Seeing
The movie was well done, and the acting is good. My personal thought is that the book is much better. Read the book for more insight into the characters and for a better scope of the whole situation. The ending (just like in the book) in unpredictable, which makes the movie worth watching.

Excellently depressing
I've seen this movie on Masterpiece Theatre and was thrilled to find it on amazon. It is well worth buying. If you like Wuthering Heights..you'll like this movie too. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

This was awful
The best Cadfael stories filmed were the ones that stayed true to the books, like Virgin in the Ice and One Corpse Too Many, those were absolutely wonderful. But this? The only thing they kept was the title, they made this an ugly, ugly story. I agree with the others, read the book and avoid this one like the plague!

Hollywood not BBC
The BBC has always been good about staying with the book when basing a movie on a book. In this case, I have decided that this was a Hollywood production rather than the BBC. They took the book, ripped it apart, and glued it back together bleeding just as Hollywood so often does. They didn't even leave the names the same or the characteristics of the characters! It was extremely poorly handled from the aspect of during a book into a movie. I have never been so disappointed with the BBC than when I saw this video!

THE PAIN NOT FREELY CHOSEN
Hordes of pilgrims flock to Shrewsbury's Abbey. The celebration of Cripples' Day promises healing from all mortal and spiritual wounds. Those who come seek a healing but in the midst of this dirty crowd a battered corpse is found in a sack.
Just who this corpse is and why was he murdered is a mystery that only Brother Cadfael can solve or can he?

This entertaining drama will hold you spellbound as Cadfael puzzles over the murder. The situation becomes more complex when three other pairs of pilgrims begin to add to the confusion. A young woman and her crippled brother are more than pilgrims and share some secrets. Two brothers, one of whom serves as an exemplary example of a penitent, have the favor of the Abbot. Then we have the slick merchant who is out to prey over the superstition of the pilgrims. Mix these elements together and you have a wild story of intrigue.

The Pilgrim of Hate is more than a murder mystery. Through Cadfael's eyes we see meaningless suffering, misplaced guilt and the misuse of oaths to keep people entangled in emotional bondage. As the mystery unravels itself, so does the false "spiritual" modes of penance. Cadfael rightly declares that "God doesn't require anymore..." This is a captivating story and video presentation.

Your prayers are enough
Once again many things are not what they seem and it is up to Brother Cadfile to bring then to light. If you do not compare to the book it is a good film and well balanced.(Do not forget that the first two chapters of the book are revealed in detail in "A Morbid Taste for Bones" ASIN: 1569384266 "and "One Corpse Too Many" ASIN: 6303316050)This story takes place years later.

From the back cover:

Cripples Day at Shrewsbury brings a hoard of disabled pilgrims to the abbey. Within a short while, a body is found in a leather sack amongst the visitors. Cadfile boils down the man's body to inspect the bones and uncovers two possible explanations for his death.

Good book, bad adaption
I totally agree with the other reviewers. Stay away from this video and read the book instead. I understand that plots need to be summarized for video, but this book's heart was ripped out. The boy rewarded in the book for his faith and innocence is turned into a thief and liar.The story plods along and is missing the spark that many of the other videos have. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

The cliff notes version of a classic
Mill on the Floss is an incredible novel, and arguably George Eliot's greatest work. All of the characters are extremely well-developed, the story is beautiful and the ending is heart-rending in its abruptness.

The masterpiece theatre adaption of this wonderful book left me feeling somewhat empty. The main story is there, but it is unable to make a connection with the characters in the brief two hours. A lot of scenes are missing, a lot of character development is absent, and the viewer is thus left with characters acting through the story of the novel with barely any of the emotions that were attached to the words. Students and teachers be advised: Watching this movie will give you an idea of the novel's plot, but will leave you with a very superficial understanding of the characters. In other words, don't expect to ace the essay test if you watch this film and don't read the book. In the long run, I gave it 3 stars because it's hard to go wrong with this story, but it is definitely an example of the book being better than the movie. Read the novel, then watch this movie!

It's Worth Seeing
The movie was well done, and the acting is good. My personal thought is that the book is much better. Read the book for more insight into the characters and for a better scope of the whole situation. The ending (just like in the book) in unpredictable, which makes the movie worth watching.

Excellently depressing
I've seen this movie on Masterpiece Theatre and was thrilled to find it on amazon. It is well worth buying. If you like Wuthering Heights..you'll like this movie too. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Did not brother Ruald have a maid with hair as dark as this?
A good potter of the town finds himself called to God ,and so decides to abandon his former life and enter the abbey.Behind him he leaves a distraught wife ,who begs her husband not to leave.Material provisions she shall have,but no longer the passion a happy marriage can provide,nor is she free to marry again.One year after Ruald joins the monastry a young womans body is unearthed in the former potters field.Could this be Rualds missing wife?
This is a highly enjoyable episode of the Cadfael series.It explores the emotional effects of one mans decision to change the course of his life,for better or for worse.The repercusions of his actions will affect not just his wife,but also his landlords family,to whom Rualds wife turns for help.I can highly recomend this film ,it is a very moving ,superbly acted,well filmed movie.It will take you back to 12th century england brilliantly.

One of my favorites.
I truly enjoy a murder mystery of the classic who-done-it type, and the Brother Cadfael series is absolutely perfect. The author Ellis Peters (Edith Pargiter, 1913-1995), like Agatha Christie, Nagio Marsh and Dorothy Sayers, was popular during the early to mid-20th Century and wrote prolifically during that time. There are some 20 Cadfael books. Athough the writer is not an historian, she is remarkably well researched and has a genuine feeling for life during her character's time period. The Potter's Field is one of my favorite murder mysteries. The tale is unique and the book is absolutely not to be missed. The film makes it come even more alive.

The setting of these stories is 12th Century England, a period of particular turmoil. Henry I had died without a legitimate male heir, and he had designated his daughter Matilda as his successor, binding his nobles by oath to support her. Although many of them did, including her very able half brother, an illegitimate son of Henry made an Earl by his father, many of them threw their support behind her cousin, Steven. Matilda, or Maud as she is referred to, was a granddaughter of William the Conqueror and no push over herself. She fought her cousin from a base in coastal France, where the family held land in fief of the King of France and where marriage alliances had placed her as wife of Geoffery, the Duke of Anjou. With her Norman support in France and her loyal factions in England, she made enough of a threat to Steven's rule to ultimately obtain a guarantee of succession to the English throne for her son Henry, ultimately Henry II. Until that time, warfare turned most of England into a battle ground and life for everyone a matter of ceaseless uncertainty. Added to this was the rancour still apparent in the social divisions between the largely Saxon population and their Norman rulers. The fall of the Saxon monarchy was only a hundred years previous and hostility still existed. The different orders of society: nobleman, servant, military man, tradesman, artisan, abbott, monk, and priest are carefully wrought to produce a period piece with more detail and clearer dialogue than a Shakespearean play. It would be a wonderful way of introducing young people to history.

Cadfael, the central character of the series, is a Dominican monk and herbalist, and Dereck Jacobi is the perfect personification of him. He has a presence which suggests strength, wisdom, and compassion. Unlike most of the other brothers, Cadfael had spent most of his life in the secular world where he participated in the crusades, had adventures, fell in and out of love, and took his order after finding the ways of the world wanting. He comes from a different culture, that of Wales, and sees that of England through an outsiders more objective eyes. His experience with life and the motives of men and his keen awareness of detail makes him the perfect sleuth, and when murder is committed, the civil authorities are more than willing to have him clear things up for them.

A young woman's body is found buried in the field of a potter. She is identified as the wife of the potter who had abandoned her because he felt he'd been called by god to enter into the monastic life at Shewsbury. In attempting to solve the crime, Cadfael discovers a grim secret kept by three people one to the cloister, another in quiet pain, and another to his grave.

The film is authentic, Brother Cadfael engaging, and the mystery captivating. An enjoyable way to spend a little time.

Twist of fate.....
THE POTTER'S FIELD tells the story of a craftsman, a potter by trade, who decides to take up the cowl and join the brotherhood of Cadfael's monastery. Problem is, the potter is married, and his poor wife objects loudly that she does not know how she will survive if he leaves her. She cannot take another husband and she cannot tend the farm on her own without him. The potter's calling is so strong, however, that he "puts off" his wife and takes his vows.

A year later, the potter's wife has disappeared, the potter has become a monk, and the monastery has assumed ownership of the potter's field. One day, a monk is plowing the field for the spring planting when he uncovers the body of a young woman. Curiously, the body has been laid out according to Christian burial practices, but in unconsecrated ground. The manner of burial indicates a person of faith buried the body, but were they faithful or was this a careful attempt to cover misdeeds?

Who is the dead woman? How did she die? Was the death accidental, a suicide, a murder? Could the dead woman be the missing wife? If so, did the potter kill his wife? A year before the body was found, a traveler spent several nights in the potter's deserted house. Some say he had a companion. Could she be the victim? And, what roles did the overlord and his wife play in this drama? The overlord left for the Crusades about the time the potter's wife disappeared? Cadfael is soon called in to solve one of his most challenging puzzles.

This story stars Mel xxx, who played Adam Dalglish's girlfriend for a while, and more recently played as the 'Daughter of the Regiment' in a Hetty Winthrop adventure, and the mother of Art Malek's slain mistress in a 'Second Sight' PBS mystery.

Guilt is something we have to live with
So much mystery, so many solutions, and you guest wrong. Yet Brother Cadfael stays with it until all is revealed. In the process we all must think and learn something of our selves.

From the back cover:

A woman's skeleton is discovered in a local potter's field, since the potter Ruald, left his family to answer a calling form God, everyone concludes that the body belongs to his wife, and that Ruald murdered her when she tried to prevent him from taking the tonsure.

This may not be the book but the film has depth in its own right.

Gruesome and Lovely
The mystery begins with the discovery of a young women's corpse turned up by digging in >The Potter's Field.< The monks and Sheriff Hugh are busily trying to determine whether this is the body of the ex-potter, now turned monk's wife. Before entering the Benedictine monastery at Shrewsbury, the monk owned the field-then abandoned it and his reasonably frustrated spouse to the Lord of the Manor. Brother Robert and Brother Jerome, of course, want to believe the worse, but not our friend, Cadfael, whose sleuthing eye sees more than meets the eye.

As the plot unfolds we find Cadfael examining the gruesome remains as usual. A ring also turns up as usual. The civil war between the followers of King Stephen and Empress Maude interferes with the romance and intrique as usual. During the warfare monks are attacked in a nearby monastery. A young novice escapes carrying the wounded prior to safety and Br. Cadfael's herb treatment works as usual. Boils are soothed on a scoundrel's neck--also gruesome. Behind all of this looms two lovely ladies:the potter's wife(suspected corpse) who looms large in flashbacks and the frail widow of the Lord of the Manner whose appearances are less than significant until.......

Who was really done in and who done it? Stick with it through the 'gruesome' and the 'lovely' for answers to both.

I rate this one three stars because I found the acting of the potter's wife less than convincing, and the multitude of characters do tend to confuse the story. I thought this episode in the series was not nearly as well done as some of the early ones and the masterpiece, 'Virgin in the Ice', but it is definitely worth viewing--as usual. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Everyone belongs in the house of God
This is part of collection IV. These Cadfiles are said to be darker in character and not as much as lighter mysteries in the earlier Cadfiles. This is not my favorite Hugh Beringar (Anthony Green.) I prefer Eoin McCarthy. However he works well in this Cadfile. In The Holy Thief while most people were using trial by water to catch the guilty, Cadfile uses forensics to track down the murder.

From the back cover:

Brothers from Ramsey come to Shrewsbury looking for money to rebuild their monastery, which has been ransacked by rebel soldiers, they claim that the loan of Saint Winifred's holy relics, which are housed at Shrewsbury, would be ample generosity. Cadfile and Abbot Radulfus, however, opt to provide the men with a gift of precious gems instead of the desired relic.

This description leaves out a lot of people and plots that make the Cadfiles so intriguing.

A HOLY MESS
Fans of Ellis Peters' most intriguing monk, Brother Cadfael, will certainly enjoy this dramatic presentation of The Holy Thief. Derek Jacobi was made to be Brother Cadfael, a soldier of the Crusades, who laid down his sword and pledged himself to holy orders leaving behind the ways of the world. Alas, the ways of the world inhabit the monastery of Shrewsbury. Our dear monk is called on time and time again to solve mystery upon mystery that befalls the monastery.

Sigh, this time a greedy self-centered abbot from Ramsey lays claim to the relics of St. Winifred. Ramsey has been burned down and her presence would enable that monastery to be built anew. Abbot Radulfus' bases his claim on the vision of his young novice who was told by the saint to come and retrieve her.

Pardon the expression,"as all hell breaks loose", everybody stakes their claims for the bones. To make matters worse Winifred gets stolen and someone gets murdered. It is a Holy Mess and Cadfael is called upon to clean it up. From their our story goes through various twists, turns and detours. Cadfael gets to a point of him blowing his top. Wonderful. What a great story. One major flaw is the cinematic production strays quite away from the book but of course this is expected. You still get the fundamentals of the conflict and find yourself wondering who done it. By the way, it's not who you think even if you did read the book. I love a video that will keep you guessing. So will you. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A gift of empathy
"Seeing Red" is the true story of Coral Atkins, a British actress who revolutionized foster care in the 70's. Her story starts when when she goes to a home for highly abused and disturbed children and hears a little girl named Jessica screaming and decides to open up a children's home. Some time later she buys a huge, ramshackle house and takes in the children who no one else will take, a little girl who screams from the moment she awakes until the moment she sleeps, a boy who burns down houses, another little girl who never speaks and is obsessed with washing her hands. Altogether, Coral took in 36 children in her lifetime.

The children, treated with respect and affection, as well as an intuitive knowledge of what their needs are slowly become a supportive family, until social services starts dragging them away to the same abusive parents who nearly destroyed them in the first place.

I cheered when she fired the matron who spanked one of the kids. On a side note, It is horrifying that 30 years later the state of Virginia has just made it legal for foster parents to hit children in their care, as if the abuse they suffered at home wasn't enough. Virginia legislators should really view this movie and THEN make a decision.

Ok, thats the main plot. There are a half dozen subplots carefully woven into the play, none of which I will tell you. I suppose I could pose one of the central questions of the movie: Why does Coral feel such empathy for these children?

This is, in some ways, in the same category as "The Miracle Worker" and "Test of Love", but along with the pathos there is a wonderful sense of humor that had me laughing and crying simultaneously. I hurt for the children and cheered them on, and (for once) even loved the child-saver. It becomes obvious that it isn't academic training that cures children, its a gift of empathy, gentleness and understanding their needs. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This handsomely mounted American-British coproduction (filmed in the picturesque Czech Republic) combines the elegance of British period productions--candlelit glow, gauzy softness, and the hazy atmosphere of light smoke and dust--with the energetic pacing, gliding camera work, and driving editing of American films. The Scarlet Pimpernel, the dashing hero played with zip and gallantry by Richard E. Grant, hides behind his secret identity of British aristocrat Percy Blakeney, society wit and court bon vivant. His callous front is so convincing he even fools his French wife Marguerite (Elizabeth McGovern), who quietly suffers the neglect and scorn of her husband. She has a secret and is soon blackmailed by the head of the French Secret Police, Chauvelin (Martin Shaw), to help track the Pimpernel, but upon discovering her husband's covert identity she risks her life in a desperate trip to England to warn him as Chauvelin's forces close in on them both.Grant cuts a larger-than-life swathe as the swashbuckling hero of the French Revolution and he brings an over-the-top enthusiasm for the calculatedly brazen social antics of Percy; he seems to be having the time of his life in both roles. McGovern's affected performance is less convincing, though she comes to life in the second half when Marguerite exhibits a fierce defiance in the face of sure death. But the show belongs to Grant. With a hearty grin on his face and a glint in his eye, he attacks the role with all the cocky confidence of a 17th-century superhero. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (23)

A BIG DISAPPOINTMENT
I usually love BBC/A&E productions, but was very disappointed by their adaptation of The Scarlet Pimpernel. A mediocre cast and bad lines ruined what could potentially be a wonderfully exciting movie. The man who played Percy showed little emotion, and just didn't suit his role well. There was little chemistry between Percy and his wife, making for a very flat romantic plot in the movie. Though it was only three hours long (very short by BBC standards!), it seemed to be monotonously slow. In my opinion, the only worthwhile performance was by Emilia Fox, who portrayed the traitorous actress Minette. The only reason I wouldn't give this drama one star is because of its excellent costume/set design, which is always an added bonus in any period film.

Yuck!
Usually I enjoy A&E's adaptions of novels (notably Ivanhoe, Horatio Hornblower, and Pride and Prejudice), but this version of The Scarlet Pimpernel was such a disappointment! Reasons for this have been given in some of the other reviews: actors didn't seem to fit the roles, or didn't enjoy what they did with the story. I really disagreed with A&E having Percy go to a brothel for info, while at the same time, encouraging his young friend to "enjoy" himself. Quite a dark version. Skip this one. If you want to see a GREAT Pimpernel movie, see the one starring Anthony Andrews, Jane Seymour, and Ian Mckellen!

Poor Adaptation
This was the worst version of the Pimpernel I have ever seen. It had poor casting (the actors neither looked their part, or played it very well,) and the story line was nothing like the book. Percy wasn't charming and funny as he should be, Marguerite didn't seem to do her witty lines very well, and Chauvelin was too old and not sinister enough. For any fans of the book, play, or other movies I strongly suggest the 1982 version with Antony Andrews, Jane Seymore, and Sir Ian McKellen. that is the best one.

I loved this AandE adaptation
I personally thought that this Pimpernel was masterfully done and had a very good cast. Richard E.Grant's portrayal of Sir Percy was thoroughly good and devilishly clever, and Ms. McGovern's performance as Marguerite St. Just/Lady Blakeney was one of the best that I have seen. And as for Martin Shaw's performance as Paul Chauvelin, I absolutely loved him. So all in all it was and is a splendid adaptation.

Good production, bad adaptation
"The Scarlet Pimpernel" is Baroness Orczy's best-known work, a delightful, swashbuckling period piece. It is *not* contemporary social commentary on the French Revolution; the book is as far from historical accuracy as this film is far from the book. But in the end it is not historicity, or even plot, which make both book and film so entertaining -- but character. Orczy created the first masked superhero when she created Percy Blakeney, and he has enduring appeal for many of the same reasons Clark Kent has: the contrast between man and hero is so great. This production was true to the book in tone only -- not in plot -- and moreover it loses Marguerite, so vital and vibrant in the book. She is reduced to the typical bit-part beauty. So the only reasons to watch it are for a delightful Percy Blakeney, and a delicious visual re-creation of the 18th century. However, that is quite enough to make it worth your while, if tone rather than plot is your interest. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

A very different Christmas
Although the video doen't precisely follow the book, the visual presentation is a stunning feast for the eyes! The depiction of 12th century England in the depths of a pre-Christmas storm awes the viewer with the contrast between the beautifully stark, harsh
snow-covered countryside and the simple, life-saving, warmth of Shrewsbury's Benedictine monastary; it is an island of life in a white sea of death.

An excellent presentation of English drama: a great story done by great actors and filmed by a great cinema crew.

A must-have video for Christmas!

Between friends there is no owing.
This film is part of "Brother Cadfael Series 2 Box Set: The Devil's Novice, St. Peter's Fair and The Virgin in the Ice (1996) ASIN: 6303969631
Once again there is a mystery with many threads overlapping. Father Cadfael uses intuition and a great deal of forensics to sort out what really happened.
You guest it; Sister Hilaria is found in the ice and the last time she was seen was with Brother Oswain of who is delirious from an encounter with bandits. Two kids are missing and a mysterious woodsman (with a sward) is creeping around. Things only get more complicated. In the process of sorting this out Father Cadfael leaves words of wisdom as "There is no shame in tears when they are worth shedding."
The identity of the mysterious woodsman holds great significance.

A SON'S RETURN
Can you imagine Oswin caught up in the arms of a woman? Picture him kissing her softly then flying into a rage wherebye he rapes and kills her. To make matters worse, she is a nun and her body is found frozen in a pond just a mile away where she and Oswain were sleeping together. Sound incredulous? Poor Oswin confesses his vile sin when ravaged by fever. Cadfael has a challenging mystery to solve in clearing the name of a man whom he holds dear in his heart. Brother Oswin has always been like a son to Cadfael. Although he has broken numerous pots and stumbled and bumbled his way through Cadfael's hut, he still remained Cadfael's favorite among all the monks of Shrewsbury. Once again trouble hits the area of the monastery. Two children have been lost and their uncle, an enemy of King stephen, has dispatched an emissary to find and return them. Oswin gets involved by helping the nun and her two charges. Their separation during the storm brings upon more troubles than can be imagined.

You will love Derek Jacobi's performance in the best of Ellis Peter's tales of our wiley monk Cadfael. He must fight with Prior Robert and Brother Jerome as they immediately condemn Oswin for his vile "sins". As he ventures to clear Oswain's name he comes across this emissary who has a very special relationship to Cadfael in addition to being a Crusader. Reminise with Cadfael as he thinks of the woman and son he left behind in Jerusalem as a crusader. In this series, you will encounter another side of Cadfael never shown in previous tapes. I loved the action, suspense, tenderness and thrills of this movie. Give yourself a treat in watching two sons return home.

Was it change for the sake of change?
The Virgin in the Ice is one the the many Ellis Peters books that I have read and enjoyed over the last twelve+ years. Why then, when there is a more than adequate story line, and very clear descriptions of the characters, do the film writers have to alter details. Surely there was no need to distort the details to such an extent that Brother Oswin, who had nothing to do with the disappearance of Yves and Ermina Hugonin in the book, should suddenly be so closely involved? Or is it just that the script writers could not make the plot fit any better? Why also is the Hugh Beringar of this film so unlike his description in the books - tall, solid and fair rather than slight and dark? Perhaps I'm being picky but why change for the sake of change?

A CHILLING MYSTERY AND MURDER
Christmas is coming, but the Abbey of St. Peter and Paul isn't merry at all. With King Stephen and Empress Maud warring over who is the rightful ruler of Englad, two orphans are sent to Shrewsbury by their guardian for safekeeping. When the youngsters and their chaperone Sister Hilaria turn up missing, Cadfael is enlisted by Hugh Beringar, Shropshire's undersheriff, to locate Ermina and Yves Hugonin and the nun. Beringar coldly refuses to let the nobleman's search party enter the shire. The children's uncle is a recently returned crusader but he sides with Maud and Beringar supports Stephen.

In the weaving of this tale, the threads become tangled when Brother Oswin, Cadfael's engaging but inept assistant, is brought to the Abbey unconscious, barely alive. While on a mission of mercy, Oswin met up with the siblings and Sister. Another fiber is woven into the fabric when Cadfael, out looking for the orphans, finds the nun frozen in a stream, murdered. The evidence points to the novice monk, with whom Sister Hilaria was last seen as they and others fled a raid upon Ermina's fiance's manor. After finding Yves, Cadfael ventures forth in search of Ermina and to prove, or disprove, Oswin's innocence, or guilt.

Shrewsbury's forest bristles with bandits, and there is a mysterious stranger from the Far East named Olivier de Bretagne. The exotic gentleman came to serve with Ermina and Yves' uncle in Jerusalem and followed him back to England, homeland of the father he never knew. The soldier secretly stays in Shrewsbury, despite the danger and peril, to complete his mission - tracking down and securing the two Hugonins' safety. When Cadfael and Olivier meet, the two bond immediately for some mysterious reason.

Ermina is finally found. Yves becomes lost once more but is rescued by Cadfael, Olivier, the undersheriff and his men, and Oswin. Oswin? It seems the lamb-like lad has the heart of a lion after all!

Justice prevails against those who pillage and plunder. The cold, hard truth is revealed as love conquers as itswarmth melts more than one heart.

It is the Christmas season after all, and as the tapestry-like tale is completed, there is a surprise for Cadfael, one he never dreamed of in all his years within and without the Abbey's walls.

"The Virgin in the Ice" is stuffed with subplots and scurrilous suspects. Foreshadowing of Foregate events and Shrewbury surroundings are intricately interlaced throughout the story, making viewing most intriguing.

This particular episode isn't perfect though: the falling snow resembles pieces of floating styrofoam and the wintry groundcover resembles the gooey glop with which modern day suburbanites spray their windows at Yuletide. Other than these blemishes, "The Virgin in the Ice" is faultless.

Sir Derek Jacobi brings to the role of Cadfael the best blend of Benedictine brotherhood and worldly yet warm wisdom. Eion McCarthy (Hugh Beringar) gives another persuasive performance. Mark Charnock (Brother Oswin) meets the challenge of acting up a storm even when unconscious. Amelia Curtis (Ermina Hugonin) is radiantly charming and ebullient. William Mannering (Yves Hugonin) captures the essence of adolescent angst. Robert Cavanah (Olivier de Bretagne) is strong, sensitive, and a sigh-t to see. Roman Vibert (La Gaucher) is the baddest of bandits; you can almost smell his rancid breath and his rotting teeth are totally repulsive.

Russell Lewis adapted the Ellis Peters novel for the screen and deserves the highest praise for his work. Stephen Smallwood produced "The Virgin in the Ice." ... Read more

Reviews (9)

An amazing visit to the 12th Century
I enjoy a good murder mystery of the classical type, and the Brother Cadfael series is particularly good. The author Ellis Peters (Edith Pargiter, 1913-1995), like Agatha Christie, Nagio Marsh and Dorothy Sayers, was popular during the mid-20th Century and wrote prolifically during that time. There are some 20 Cadfael books. The film A Morbid Taste for Bones, based upon the book of the same name is incredibly authentic and colorful. The different orders of society: nobleman, servant, military man, tradesman, artisan, abbott, monk, and priest are carefully wrought to produce a period piece with more detail and clearer dialogue than a Shakespearean play. It would be a wonderful way of introducing young people to history.

The setting of the story is 12th Century England, a period of particular turmoil. Henry I had died without a legitimate male heir, and he had designated his daughter Matilda as his successor, binding his nobles by oath to support her. Although many of them did, including her very able half brother, an illegitimate son of Henry made an Earl by his father, many of them threw their support behind her cousin, Steven. Matilda, or Maud as she is referred to, was a granddaughter of William the Conqueror and no push over herself. She fought her cousin from a base in coastal France, where the family held land in fief of the King of France and where marriage alliances had placed her as wife of Geoffery, the Duke of Anjou. With her Norman support in France and her loyal factions in England, she made enough of a threat to Steven's rule to ultimately obtain a guarantee of succession to the English throne for her son Henry, ultimately Henry II. Until that time, warfare turned most of England into a battle ground and life for everyone a matter of ceaseless uncertainty. Added to this was the rancour still apparent in the social divisions between the largely Saxon population and their Norman rulers. The fall of the Saxon monarchy was only a hundred years previous and hostility still existed.

Cadfael, the central character of the series, is a Dominican monk and herbalist, and Dereck Jacobi is the perfect personification of him. He has a presence which suggests strength, wisdom, and compassion. Unlike most of the other brothers, Cadfael had spent most of his life in the secular world where he participated in the crusades, had adventures, fell in and out of love, and took his order after finding the ways of the world wanting. He comes from a different culture, that of Wales, and sees that of England through an outsiders more objective eyes. His experience with life and the motives of men and his keen awareness of detail makes him the perfect sleuth, and when murder is committed, the civil authorities, often personified by Hugh Beringer (Eorin McCarthy), are more than willing to have him clear things up for them.

In A Morbid Taste for Bones, a young priest begins having ecstatic seizures in which he believes he is being directed by a Welsh saint, the martyred St. Winifred, to go to Wales to obtain her bones for the Abbey of Shrewsbury. The people of the town are loath to give up their saint, and in the process of convincing them of the divine direction of their mission, the monks end up suspected of the murder of a townsman. Cadfael, a Welshman himself, begins the process of sleuthing out the culprit before they and their mission become victims themselves.

A thoroughly real and well researched visit to the Middle Ages.

Not a really faithful adaptation
This review is geared toward considering the episode in terms of its quality as an adaptation of the original story, rather than as an independent entity, so if that doesn't interest you, shoo. :)

The basic plot and some of the major subplots of the original novel have been adapted faithfully, but in moving the story several years forward in time (several years after Heribert's abbacy ended), several of the characters have been replaced or altered greatly.

_A Morbid Taste for Bones_ is the first book in the series, which follows a linear chronology (i.e., each book happens some time after its predecessor, so the characters change accordingly, and the events in the world around them track what actually happened in history). Revising the scripts to change the order of the stories consequently has inherent problems.

Rather than Abbot Heribert, Radulfus is in charge, which results in a different interpretation of several other characters. Unlike Radulfus, who's in his prime, Heribert at this point was elderly, and nearing the end of his tenure. Prior Robert took it for granted that he would be the next abbot, while others had motives to try to displace Robert so they could step into the abbot's shoes later. Removing those possible motives changes the balance of the story.

The visionary Columbanus has been reinterpreted. His visionary fits here are bluntly interpreted as near-insanity, rather than offering any possible interpretation as a calculated pose. When Brother Cadfael considers that Columbanus might be trying to build a reputation for holiness as a lever into the abbot's mitre, he questions Columbanus openly about it rather than entertaining it as a private theory early on. Consequently, the stage for Columbanus' last vigil and vision in Gwytherin is arranged somewhat differently than in the original.

Brother John, Cadfael's first assistant, who entered the order after his girl dumped him, has been eliminated, along with the subplot concerning his vocation; instead, we have Brother Oswin, as usual in the adaptations (who is portrayed as an amalgam of Brother Mark and the original Oswin, without the wisdom of the former or the heartiness of the latter).

For the supporting players: the Welsh villagers look far more downtrodden than I would have expected (everyone except Rhysiart and his daughter is wearing an institutional shade of blue); the Shrewsbury villagers don't get that treatment when the monks are on their home turf. Cadfael's role as translator is eliminated, as everyone magically speaks English (OK, I'll grant that one for the sake of translation to film.) But to give him an equivalent role as a buffer between the monks and the villagers, Cadfael is presented as the only member of the monastic party with common sense - and if you think Prior Robert was politically naive in the books, think again. In fact, Robert's original problem was that he was *too* worldly-wise, and underestimated local affection for Saint Winifred.

85 Minutes Doesn't Do Brother Cadfael Justice
I'll readily admit, my expectations were rediculously high. As a fan of both the Brother Cadfael chronicles and actor Derek Jacobi, I assumed that like the actor, this DVD would be a perfect combination of style and substance. I wonder if this might be one of the TV series' weaker episodes.

Jacobi is perfectly cast as Cadfael and carries the role very well. While there are other good performances, some are a bit overdone, and some are a bit wooden. Author Ellis Peters did a wonderful job of interweaving multi-leveled storylines together in her books, but that sense was impossible to capture in this episode's condensed 85 minutes. Though the show moves swiftly and conveys all the key points, it ended up feeling a little flat.

On a technical note, the DVD picture is remarkably clear. The "extras", however, left me wanting. There are only 10 - 15 production stills, and not much background on either the making of the episode, characters, or actors. There is one very nice touch: an audio track of Derek Jacobi speaking candidly about his portrayal of Brother Cadfael.

This is a review of the DVD
There is an earlier review of the film contents as I also have the video. After playing the video about 50 times I acquired a distracting squeak. So I bought the DVD. I am so impressed that I do not plan to wait for the other Cadfaels to squeak.

The first thing that struck me was how clear the picture is. Maybe some of it is the tape was worn yet I never noticed that that Brother Jerome had freckles. Unexpectedly they (whoever they are) put all the DVD goodies on this except a running commentary. Of course there are interactive menus, which makes navigation easy. Then there is a scene index of which I seldom use. An Exclusive audio comments by Derek Jacob, has pictures of him with Ellis Peters as he explains that a one and a half hour program just can not pack the elaborate plots and number of characters in to do justice to the book readers. The Ellis Peters biography and book list is written on the screen (Sorry you have to read some of this.) The production scrapbook has about 10 stills showing the film being made. I have not tried the captions for the hearing impaired. What is not mentioned is a list of the productions that Derek Jacobi has done.

Want to see something eerie, look at the picture of Derek next to Ellis. They could be related.

A man may step out of his nature
This is part of Brother Cadfael Series 3 Box Set: The Rose Rent, A Morbid Taste for Bones, and The Raven in the Forecourt ASIN: 1569381976

After watching my copy about 50 times the cassette has gained a squeak. I plan to replace this with the DVD.

This is one of the best Father Cadfiles as it has meaning and story on may levels. True the ending is not exactly the book ending. But the feel is still there. The point that I like best is that the language is common but the cultures as dissimilar.

Although there is no Hugh Beringar (Sean Pertwee), this film contains one of my favorite actors John Hallam who plays the lord Richard. He has been in many popular movies including "4.50 from Paddington" ASIN: 6303111602 where he gets to play a similar character as Cedric Crackenthorpe.

I leave you with this thought:

"Those that seek to lay hands on St. Winifred are apt to perish." ... Read more

Reviews (1)

a touch of frost set 4
this is the best detective darma you will ever sea . david jason is fantastic in the part. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Truth and justice are often at odds.
It is said, "All that evil needs to flourish is for good men to nothing." And this film has a few good men that do nothing. So once again it is up to Brother Cadfile to sort out the mystery and if separate mysteries are related. I will not go thought the story blow by blow, as that is part of the intrigue in watching these films.

A part of the back cover paraphrased:

Father Ailnoth, the new parish priest in Shrewsbury, earns the scorn of his entire parishioners. After refusing to absolver a parishioner for carrying an illegitimate child, the priest is found dead in the river. There are plenty of suspects but a shortage of clues.

Too bad back covers are not clear and strait forward however the story is more complex and the acting is superior.

I couldn't get enough of this one!
Cadfael is one of my favorite shows to watch! Especially The Raven in the Forgate! Though I am only thirteen, I have watched the shows over and over again because I thought it wasn't gruesome. If you have never seen this movie and wish to purchase this item, well, I recomend it. Take it from a 13 year old. The Cadfael series have made me want to see an read more mysteries and before, I never even wanted to look at a mystery. I thought I would hate Cadfael, but now I can't turn it off!

DEATH FLOCKS TO SHROPSHIRE
Death builds a nest for itself in Shrewsbury when a new priest is sent to replace the old one, who for forty years tended his flock before passing on. Father Ailnoth, the Bishop of Winchester's choice for the parish, is aligned with King Stephen and his claim to England's throne. Those who do not support Stephen are traitors and, according to Ailnoth, deserve to die. Abbot Radulfus, who escorted Ailnoth from the legatine council, solemnly states that in a civil war, "All men are traitors to one cause or another."

Like the staff he carries, Ailnoth is unbending. At its top, a claw grasps a ball, symbolic of the priest's own talon-like grip over "his" lands. He quickly evicts the farmers who tend parish fields to feed their families. Ailnoth denounces all who come within the sound of his call. He does not pray for the souls of his parishoners but preys on their simple way of life.

Compassionate Brother Cadfael quickly involves himself in the peasants' plight and that of a young, beautiful girl named Eleanor. Unwed and with child, Eleanor's guilty conscience sends her fleeing to the monk to confess her sin so that she may receive absolution. Cadfael, like all monks, cannot hear the girl's confession, only priests can. Moreover, Cadfael is caught up in his own thoughts about Father Ailnoth, which are somewhat unChristianlike. Eleanor does not like Ailnoth, but she does as Cadfael bids and goes to the priest.

She then is found floating in the river. There is doubt about her death as there are a man's footprints on the riverbank and Eleanor's arms are bruised. Cadfael must solve the mystery. Eleanor's eternal soul is at stake. If a suicide, she will forever lie in unconsecrated ground. If murdered, who did it?

Ailnoth is found dead next, impailed on the mill's wheel. Most certainly he was murdered. Suspects are as copious as a flock of crows. One of the farmers? The father of Eleanor's unborn child perhaps; the girl feared the priest and his wrath so. Or the young man named William who accompanied Ailnoth to Shrewsbury.

New in the priest's service, Cadfael does not believe William is what he says he is nor does the monk think William is who he says he is. He does not bear the markings of a servant; his hands are too soft, his knowledge too broad. Cadfael is able to gather that William is of noble birth and one of Empress Maud's followers. He has come to Shrewsbury to enlist the aid of Lord Gifford. Gifford, William's father, and Gifford's brother were jailed by King Stephen. Only Gifford survived. Mary, Gifford's niece and now his ward, learns of her uncle's true allegiance. Birds of a feather, Gifford betrays William to Ailnoth, which is why William is a prime suspect. Mary and William have fallen in love; they flee to Wales once William's true identity is learned of by others besides Cadfael.

But how are Eleanor's and Ailnoth's deaths connected? Are they connected? Cadfael grasps at every straw in his quest to see that the girl's soul rests as peacefully as possible and that Father Ailnoth's murderer, no matter how bitter the truth might be, is exposed. Cadfael is, after all, a good man in an evil world.

This is a well-feathered nest of a cast. Sir Derek Jacobi facilely brings the complicated Cadfael to life. Peter Guinness (Father Ailnoth) is a good study for modern-day would-be Bible thumpers. Raad Rawi (Lord Casale) is as nefarious a creature as is humanly possible. Carine Sinclair (Eleanor) and Catherine Cusack (Catherine) play well as siblings at odds with one another. Sean Chapman (William) and Hermione Norris (Mary) make a perfect pair. Adam Bareham (Cynric), the parish verger, is quietly commanding in his role. Regular Cadfael castmates Eion McCarthy (Hugh Beringar), Terrence Hardiman (Abbot Radulfus), Michael Culver (Prior Robert), Julian Firth (Brother Jerome), and Mark Charnock (Brother Oswin) all turn in praiseworthy performances.

"The Raven in the Foregate," directed by Ken Grieve with screenplay by Simon Burke, is one of the Medieval monk's most convoluted mysterious adventures. Producer Stephen Smallwood is to be congratulated for maintaining the series' high quality. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Wonderful tale of the 12 Century.
I enjoy a good murder mystery and the Brother Cadfael series is just that. The Leper of St Giles was one of my favorites of the 20 mysteries by Ellis Peters, because it captures much of the flavor of the period. Cadfael, the central character of the series, is a Dominican monk and herbalist, and Dereck Jacobi is the perfect personification of him. He has a presence which suggests strength, wisdom, and compassion. Unlike most of the other brothers, Cadfael had spent most of his life in the secular world where he participated in the crusades, had adventures, fell in and out of love, and took his order after finding the ways of the world wanting. He comes from a different culture, that of Wales, and sees that of England through an outsider's more objective eyes. His experience with life and the motives of men and his keen awareness of detail makes him the perfect sleuth, and when murder is committed the civil authorities, in the person of under sherif Hugh Beringer, are more than willing to have him clear things up for them. When a young girl is forced by her guardians to wed a wealthy but disagreeable nobleman, the young squires of the latter attempt to help her, only to become mixed in a murder. One of them is framed for it and arrested, but flees his captors. Aided by one of his fellow squires, he eludes apprehension only to be accused of a second murder, that of the young girl's guardian. It looks like curtains for the young man, until Cadfael takes on the case. Probably the most enjoyable part of the film is the byplay between the nun Alice and Cadfael. Like the latter, Alice had lived a full life prior to taking her orders and is not naive to the ways of the world. She appears again in The Rose Rent, and is one of my favorite characters. The Leper of St Giles is a thoroughly delightful film.

A huge Cadfael fan from Oz
This is probably the nicest, most romantic episode of the series. It is almost to clean cut for a medievil piece, but is nonetheless very well presented and extremely watchable. Derek Jacobi is faultless as the good brother, and the rest of the cast is also strong. Lots of mystery, murder and great sets, with an ending that will tug your heart strings. Also fantastic gregorian piecies sprinkled throughout. A must if you love cadfael, or a brilliant place to start your collection. When introducing friends to the wonderful Cadfael series,I start them on this film.It never fails to hook them !!.

The Book Lovers will like this one!
This is one of the most faithfully adapted stories from the Brother Cadfael books! I really enjoyed this one, and I had read the book first!
Start out with star-crossed young lovers, a greedy foster family forcing the young woman into marriage with a really ornery and stingy old man, with dark hints of a secret double-life, a mysterious leper with startling connections, a body with mysterious wounds, and Cadfael and Hugh Beringar, the local deputy for the Sheriff of the shire, have all the elements for a mystery full of twists and turns. Derek Jacobi is wonderful as the wise and kind Cadfael, and is supported by a great cast. The DVD's always have production stills, interviews with Sir Derek Jacobi about various interesting aspects of Cadfael, monastic life, or the story, along with other interesting information. They give a fascinating picture of life in the 12th century, and life in a monastery. This episode is my favorite so far of the eight I've seen.

There is always hope by God's grace and man's efforts.
The back cover is fairly accurate:

A great wedding is to take place at the Abby of Shrewsbury between the powerful Baron Huon De Domville and the young and beautiful Iveta De Masssard. But this is no love match. The old, fat Baron is only interested in Iveta's lands and estates. Th orphaned Iveta lives another.

All of Shrewsbury turns out to see the Baron and his bride-to-be ride into town and their differences are immediately noticeable. While the kind-hearted Iveta throws money to the lepers at the side of the road, the Barron strikes out at them with his whip. On the eve of the wedding, the Barron mysteriously rides off alone into the night, and that's the last time he's seen alive. Cadfael sets out to investigate his disappearance.

Naturally the description of this film is simplified and for readers of Ellis Peters' works the film is simplified from the story.

You have to take your hat off to Creeping Gromwell for helping Cadfael solve the mystery.

I will make you faceless and nameless, as we all are here.
Brother Cadfael is out re-stocking the provisions at the leper hospice just outside Shrewsbury when he sees the procession of a groom and his young bride. The groom, one Huon de Domville, whips at the lepers as he passes; while his young bride Ivetta de Masade throws coins. She is bound by the will of her guardians to marry this brute, while her heart is taken by one of Domville's squires, Jocelyn. Cadfael throws off the attack on one of the wandering lepers, known only as Lazarus, who holds himself with quiet dignity. It seems a hopeless case for the ill-fated couple, until the morning of the wedding finds the groom dead.

Cadfael takes it upon himself to solve the crime, especially when Jocelyn is framed for theft, and thought of for the murder. When he breaks free from his captors, it is Lazarus who hides him in the hospice, as a leper. All Cadfael has to go on is a few dried flowers found in the victim's discarded hat, leading him to the history behind Huon's true affections. Cadfael sees not only justice for the accused Jocelyn, but witnesses revenge for all the wrongdoings to Ivetta.

This was the first Cadfael movie I saw. I had read the book some time before, and found the production very impressive, especially Sir Derek Jacobi as Cadfael, Sean Pertwee as Hugh Beringar, and of course, Lazarus himself. Using the Hungarian countryside to stand as 12th century England proves a success. My only nit to pick is the women's costuming, not done very accurately at all, but as a performance it is very well done. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Under the certainty of Heaven nothing is certain.
This is film is part of:

Brother Cadfael Series 1 Box Set: The Sanctuary Sparrow, One Corpse Too Many, Monk's Hood and The Leper of St. Giles (1995) ASIN: 6303316042

From the back cover: When the town's goldsmith is robbed and left for dead, the finger of suspicion is pointed at young juggler who was performing at the wedding feast of the goldsmith's son.

Pursued by the mob, the young entertainer stumbles through the town to the Abby where he seeks the sanctuary of the Alter. Cadfael is given the job of keeping an eye on the youngster while the authorities investigate. But his discrete inquiries are cut short when the goldsmith's neighbor is found dead floating in the river...

Once again the box does not convey the complexity or the beauty in the film as father Cadfael along with my favorite Hugh Beringar (Sean Pertwee) search for truth and justice using forensics, intuition and logic.

A very good Cadfael movie
This is a very good movie. The story is true to the book, and I really liked the book. The reason I gave it four stars instead of five is because a few of the memorable lines from the book that were spoken by characters other than Cadfael were split up in the movie so that he completed some of them. For example, when the crowd comes chasing after the minstrel Lilliwin, it really was more appropriate for the ABBOT to say, "Put up your weapons or court your soul's damnation." I think it would have been presumptious for a lay brother to say such a thing unless he was an ordained priest, who had the power to excommunicate. But other than that, the movie was as good as the book in every respect, and it's worth seeing. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

This film gets better with time.
"No man is measured by the love he gives to others, but how he is loved by others."

This film is part of Brother Cadfael Series 1 Box Set: The Sanctuary Sparrow, One Corpse Too Many, Monk's Hood and The Leper of St. Giles (1995)

From the back cover:

When a wealthy landowner decides to cut his stepson out of his will and leave his inheritance to the church, it is Shrewsbury Abby which looks like the beneficiary. But before Geravase Gurney is able to complete the transaction, he is poisoned while staying at the abbey.

When Cadfael is called in to identify the poison, he is shocked to discover that Gervase's wife Richildis is his own childhood sweetheart, who he has not seen for 40 years. He last saw her before leaving for the Crusades, promising he would be back to marry her...

This is the time that Abbot Herribert (Peter Copley) is replaced by Abbot Radulfus (Terrence Hardiman) see him in a different light as Walter Fane in "Miss Marple: Sleeping Murder" ASIN: 6303111599

Well adapted
This is a very good adaptation of Ellis Peter's Monks Hood.If you have read the book, then you will not be disappointed. The acting was brilliant, Derek Jacobi as cadfael and Mary Miller as Richildis were wonderful. Julian Firth as brother Jerome is brilliantly sycophantic, and also quite funny. The plot is well crafted, Gervase Bonel in a fit of pique disinheirits his stepson Eedwin Gurney, and gifts his land to the Abbey. Bonel then dies violently, and his stepson appears to be the only one with the motive and oppertunity to kill, or was he? Cadfael is drawn in to this because his medicine has been the cause of death.Bonel's wife just happens to be Cadfael's former fiancee...

Past Passion + Poison = Problems
Brother Cadfael, having fought in the Crusades and seen the world, now lives contentedly in the Abbey of St. Peter and St. Paul. He takes pleasure in healing the sick with his herbs and tending his garden. But life becomes thorny when Richildis, whom Cadfael loved as a teenager, comes to dwell within the abbey's confines. Her second husband Gervase Bonel deeds his property to the Benedictines and soon afterward is murdered. Edmund Gurney, Richildis' son, may very well be the killer as he and his step-father fought bitterly. The boy prefers the company of commonfolk and tradespeople, disdaining the lord's more leisurely life. Gervase has disinherited Edmund, leaving Mannerly manor and its lands to the Benedictines in Shrewsbury.

There are others who may have used Cadfael's curative unction Monk's Hood to kill Master Bonel. For Richildis' sake, Cadfael untangles the web in which Edmund has been caught. The boy's guilt or innocence must be proven or Cadfael will again have abandoned Richildis. Also, more than one man's freedom is at stake. With diligence and care Cadfael manages to separate truth from lies.

Sir Derek Jacob is brilliantly convincing. Wistful best describes the look on Cadfael's face when he learns that Richildis, whom he left for the Holy Land but promised to wed when he came back, has returned. There is a gentle innocence in the scenes between the two, pulling not only at their heartstrings but the viewer's as well. The one-time bold crusader must meekly accept his superior's bidding when ordered to discontinue the investigation. Cadfael is still as strong-willed as he was in his youth, but he is a principled man and having taken vows, one of which is obedience, he acquiesces. Sir Derek's wide palette of emotions paints a portrait of Cadfael which is clearly defined, brightly hued, and of great depth and insight. He is, indeed, a master.

Sean Pertwee (Hugh Beringar) is solid as the shire's undersheriff. Michael Culver (Prior Robert) may be dislikeable but that's only his character; Culver is a skilled actor. The same can be said of Julian Firth whose Brother Jerome is perhaps the most irritating and exasperating a man to ever walk the face of the earth. He is the bane of Cadfael's life and Cadfael deserves instant sainthood for putting up with Jerome without resorting to some old crusader's cure for pests - say, thwacking the heck out of the twitty little monk!

Mary Miller (Richildis) is exactly the kind of woman with whom Cadfael would have fallen in love as a youth. She is warm, caring, faithful, down to earth. Ms. Miller's beauty and strength comes from within, yet it is also visible.

Jonny Lee Miller (Edmund) plays his role of the disinherited youth well. Huw Garmon (Meurig) and Thomas Craig (Aelfric) give performances which are to be respected for their clarity.

Russell Lewis adapted Ellis Peters' book for the screen. Graham Theakston directed and Stephen Smallwood produced. This is an early Cadfael chronicle, as the series of books is called. It is also one of the early episodes filmed in the PBS-shown series. Later Cadfaels are more cryptic and perhaps more exciting than this episode, but it is well worth watching more than once. The Medieval monk is a mystery himself. "Monk's Hood" provides clues that answer how Cadfael came to be an Benedictine in the Abbey of St. Peter and St. Paul.

One of my favorite Brother Cadfael movies I've seen!
This is one of the best Brother Cadfael videos of all times! I thought the producer did and excellent job of adapting the book to videotape. I also appreciate Cadfael's being in trouble for a change by nearly being kicked out of the abbey. (It wasn't like that in the book, and it was a pleasant surprise for a change. A series gets boring unless the main character occasionally faces personal challenges.) What basically happens is that one of the abbey's guests is murdered, and his stepson is accused of the crime. When Cadfael is called to help the dying man, he realises that the dead man's widow is his childhood sweetheart. Naturally, Prior Robert and Brother Jerome are very upset about the whole matter, and very pettily try to spite Cadfaelby forbidding him to investigate the murder and preventing him from leaving the abbey. The fact that the abbot is away and will probably not return as abbot doesn't help matters. Cadfael is faced with demands on his duty and on his conscience: he can either risk losing his home at the abbey and help his former fiance clear her son's name of the charge of murder, or bow to the prior's wishes and let Richildis have a permanent grudge against him. This is a must-see for all Brother Cadfael fans, especially those who are itching to learn some more of Cadfael's past.

Too slow, even for a Cadfael mystery
Not enough energy, not enough mystery-solving, not enough romance, not enough humor, not enough wisdom, not enough action (although that's usually not needed in Cadfael stories)- not enough anything. Very flat. Had I seen this prior to purchasing it, I would not have purchased it. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Mostly in light of the faithfulness of the adaptation
Screenwriter Christopher Russell also adapted _A Morbid Taste for Bones_ and _The Rose Rent_. Here Russell has left the main framework of the story intact, but the characterization has been watered down, and as in the above named adaptations potential motives of passion are blown out of proportion. Little changes have been made in many background details, such as renaming several characters and compressing/combining scenes (easier on the budget and on short attention spans, but oversimplifying the story). Since the characters and the subtleties of their relationships are the key to the novel's quality, the fact that the actual events of the story have been faithfully adapted isn't enough to carry the adaptation for me.

Rather than trimming the beginning of the story, Russell has added material, starting with Peter Clemence's arrival at "Ashby Manor" (Aspley in the book). Of the household, the father (Leoric) is interpreted fairly accurately, as is his younger son Meriet (soon to be the title character), although their stormy relationship is something we hear about rather than see. The elder son, "Tristan" (Nigel) looks too old for his part, and fails to convey the character's supposed charm. His betrothed, "Rosanna" (Roswitha) has been reinterpreted from a vain but harmless flirt to a mercenary seductress who went far past propriety with Clemence. "Isobel" (Isouda) isn't the clear-eyed pillar of strength of the novel, and the adaptation doesn't even try to convince us that she dismisses "Rosanna" as of no account. As for Janyn, "Rosanna"'s brother, he's actually present at the dinner, and he's later used to introduce the possibility that Clemence might have disappeared voluntarily.

Harald, the runaway serf-suspect, has an expanded role, now shown snooping about "Ashby" and an independent witness to Clemence's movements as the bishop's envoy to the earl of Chester spends an evening with the "Ashbys", distant relatives. As in the original, Clemence is something of a ladies' man, despite his priesthood. His annoying arrogance toward his country cousins can be justified from the book, although it's far less explicit there; he's well-played, apart from being too casual about his vows of chastity.

Soon after Clemence continues on his way to resume his diplomatic mission, Leoric brings Meriet to the abbey as a novice. Brother Paul, the perceptive novice master, has as usual been eliminated, as have the other novices and the secular students - along with the character development that in the novel gradually shows us Meriet's virtues together with his cross-grained nature, admirable but ill-suited to the cloister. A lot of scene compression takes place, so that Meriet's noisy nightmares and his outraged counterattack on Brother Jerome for burning his keepsake of "Rosanna" follow very closely on one another. (Meriet's punishment under the lash, of course, is shown on camera at the hands of a brother rather than off-camera via a lay servant, as in the book - Russell doesn't miss a trick that way for dramatic scenes.)

Clemence's superior, Canon Eluard, differs from the book on two important points: blatant immediate suspicion of Meriet's sudden vocation, and a desire to see a quick rather than correct resolution to the Clemence problem. As for the secular investigation, Beringar has been written out of the story apart from 1 scene at the beginning; Will Warden is in charge while Beringar's away at court. (Warden did indeed appear in the novel _Monk's-Hood_ as a man too quick to jump to easy conclusions, but the adaptations over-use him; the novels have more respect for the brains on the side of the law.)

The adaptation moves much faster than the original story. Meriet's assignment to the leper hospital at St. Giles happens on the very day the corpse is found; he has no time to put his sufferings in perspective with those of the patients. (Since the adaptation uses Brother Oswin rather than Mark, Meriet lacks a perceptive mentor at St. Giles, of course.) Harald is arrested just as the body is found, over Cadfael's protests - and with Warden rather than Beringar in charge, the threat of an unjust conviction is much more serious than in the original story. (I grant that this strengthens the motivation of various honorable characters who finally begin producing testimony - I won't say how much is *true* testimony, though.)

The final confrontation's dramatic climax in the original story has been exchanged for a tidier tying up of loose ends, although it removes some of the necessary historical background that set the scene for the next novel, _Dead Man's Ransom_. However, the adaptations were not made in chronological order, so from that point of view continuity is less of an issue.

Broadly correct adaptation, but lacking the subtleties of the original novel, and moving at a faster pace removing some of the finer points of the puzzle.

All the films are worth seeing.
I truly enjoy a murder mystery of the classic who-done-it type, and the Brother Cadfael series is absolutely perfect. The author Ellis Peters (Edith Pargiter, 1913-1995), like Agatha Christie, Nagio Marsh and Dorothy Sayers, was popular during the early to mid-20th Century and wrote prolifically during that time. There are some 20 Cadfael books. Athough the writer is not an historian, she is remarkably well researched and has a genuine feeling for life during her character's time period.

The setting of these stories is 12th Century England, a period of particular turmoil. Henry I had died without a legitimate male heir, and he had designated his daughter Matilda as his successor, binding his nobles by oath to support her. Although many of them did, including her very able half brother, an illegitimate son of Henry made an Earl by his father, many of them threw their support behind her cousin, Steven. Matilda, or Maud as she is referred to, was a granddaughter of William the Conqueror and no push over herself. She fought her cousin from a base in coastal France, where the family held land in fief of the King of France and where marriage alliances had placed her as wife of Geoffery, the Duke of Anjou. With her Norman support in