The Irish R.M. - Series 1 (1998) Review

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(More customer reviews)Those who enjoy Peter Bowles' roles in the ever-popular Rumpole of the Bailey and To the Manor Born will surely enjoy his role in this lovely series set in Ireland of the late 19th century. Bowles stars as Major Sinclair Yates, a retired English army officer who accepts a position in Ireland as a Resident Magistrate. His role here is reminiscent of Guthrie Featherstone in the Rumpole series, although Yates is a more multi-dimensional character, and his ineptness is due largely to an unfamiliarity with the customs and ways of life of the Irish.
Major Yates is joined by his fiancee/wife, Philippa, who is extremely tolerant both of life in a foreign country and of the comical predicaments in which the Major finds himself. Then there are the servants at Shrilane, the Yateses' less-than-pristine country home: Mrs. Cadogan is the no-nonsense (albeit highly humourous) housekeeper, whose every sentence is laden with the most elaborate of metaphors; Peter, Mrs. Cadogan's simple-minded nephew, is the stable lad; and finally Julia and the inept Bridgit are the two maids.
The real show-stealer in this series is the Major's new landlord, Flurry Knox (Bryan Murray), a clever, quick-witted and jovial young man who constantly rides the finest line between legality and illegality. Flurry is joined by his able albeit permanently inebriated cohort Slipper, played superbly by Niall Toibin (Ballykissangel's Father Macanally). The cast is rounded out by Mrs. Knox, Flurry's strong-willed and eccentric grandmother; Lady Knox, Flurry's pompous aunt; and Sally, Lady Knox's beautiful daughter.
This boxed set contains six 50-minute episodes. The series (at least thus far) is certainly more comedy than drama, and the episodes more often than not involve the Major ending up in an embarrassing and/or compromising situation (usually thanks to Flurry) from which he must somehow extricate himself--with his honour intact, if possible.
In conclusion, this is a warm and thoroughly charming series set in an Ireland that has long since disappeared. Like Ballykissangel, the humour is gentle and suitable for the enjoyment of the entire family. The only thing that takes a little getting used to are the Irish accents, for they are (unlike Ballykissangel) as thick as treacle. But it is well worth the effort, as this really is a most enjoyable series. Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys good British comedy-drama.

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Peter Bowles (Rumpole of the Bailey, To the Manor Born) stars in this comic drama series about a retired English army officer who becomes a Resident Magistrate in turn-of-the-century West Ireland. Living in a ramshackle country house surrounded by the community's eccentric inhabitants, Major Sinclair Yeates struggles to apply judicial logic in a country where, in the words of a former Lord Chief Justice, "the inevitable never happens but the improbable frequently does." This classic PBS Masterpiece Theatre series, shot entirely on location in County Kildare, captures the texture of the lush Irish countryside. Also featuring Beryl Reid (Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy) and Bryan Murray (Perfect Scoundrels). The Episodes:Great-Uncle McCarthy,Trinket's Colt,A Misdeal,The Boat's Share,Occasional Licences,"O Love! O Fire!" DVD BONUS FEATURES INCLUDE a "making of" featurette, stories and recipes from Mrs. Cadogan's kitchen, cast filmographies and a profile of writers Somerville and Ross.

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