Genre: | Drama |
Director: | David Giles |
Composer: | Derek Bourgeois |
Country: | United Kingdom |
Language: | English |
Num Series: | 1 |
Num Episodes: | 7 |
Producer: | Jonathan Powell |
Runtime: | 55 minutes |
Channel: | BBC2 |
The Barchester Chronicles is a 1982 British television serial produced by Jonathan Powell for the BBC.[1] It is an adaptation by Alan Plater of Anthony Trollope's first two Chronicles of Barsetshire, The Warden (1855) and Barchester Towers (1857).[2] The series was directed by David Giles.[3] Location work was videotaped in and around Peterborough Cathedral, using locations such as the Deanery and Laurel Court.[4]
The clerical community around Barchester's cathedral is rocked by a press investigation into the finances of Hiram's Hospital almshouse. Following the death of the bishop in the midst of the controversy, the chaplain and wife of the new bishop lead a reforming crusade, which arouses strong opposition within the diocese. These public events have a significant effect on the private lives of many of those involved.
The series won a BAFTA award for Design (Chris Pemsel) in 1982, also being nominated for Drama Series/Serial (Jonathan Powell, David Giles), Costume Design (Juanita Waterson), Graphics (Stewart Austin), Make Up (Elizabeth Rowell), Sound Supervisor (Chick Anthony), Video Cameraman (Geoff Feld), and Video Lighting (Howard King).[6]