The Irish R.M. - Series 1

Amazon.com

"Things are different in Ireland." So learns Major Sinclair Yeates, "a fine gentleman from England," who resigns from the military to take a post in rural 1897 Ireland as the Resident Magistrate. Peter Bowles, one of PBS's most valuable players (Rumpole of the Bailey, To the Manor Born) stars in the first series of The Irish R.M., six of Masterpiece Theatre's finest hours. Based on the book by Somerville and Ross, The Irish R.M. is a fish-out-of-water comedy. Think Green Acres and Northern Exposure, only, you know, much more classy. Bowles is pitch-perfect as the well-meaning, but initially confounded Yeates, who finds himself presiding over "improbable" cases. Together with his incredibly tolerant wife, Philippa (Doran Godwin), Yeates finds himself at home among (and frequently at the mercy of) a gallery of eccentric characters, including his formidable housekeeper, Mrs. Cadogan (Beryl Reid), his Puckish landlord, Flurry (Bryan Murray), and Flurry's indomitable grandmother, Lady Knox (Faith Brook). As one character remarks, "It's all devilishly funny, no doubt." --Donald Liebenson

Description

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.

Customer Reviews:

Absolutely delightful.......2005-02-08

"The Irish R.M." is surely one of the most delightful shows I have happened across. It relies upon absurdity for humor, instead of the coarseness and crudity that have invaded almost every show on television. However, if you are not able to appreciate British humor...please do not waste your time watching this show. It is utterly delightful, but those who are unaccustomed to British humor may not enjoy it. However, my entire family, from my baby-boomer parents to my 11 year old sister love it, in addition to my college roommate. I really hope that seasons 2 & 3 become available on DVD soon. Peter Bowles is fantastic as the poor R.M., but the audience will probably fall in love with Flurry Knox, the R.M.'s rascally landlord.

Celtic Pandemonium.......2004-09-14

This wonderful comedy, contrasting English reserve with Celtic abandon and imaginative mischief, is a delightful exposition of that culture which was transplanted, in large measure, from the Celtic lands to the southern climes of North America. What we call "Southerners" in the United States are, in their cultural essence, of Celtic origin, and Southerners will recognize themselves in this charming revelation of Celtic (Southern) manners.

While there are major differences between Englishmen and Yankees, nevertheless Southerners will appreciate the difference between Flurry, who represents the Irish temperament, and the Magistrate, who personifies the very proper English way -- although, in the course of the series, the Magistrate begins to see, by stages, the humane logic of the Celtic lifestyle.

I've never seen a more delightful, pointed, and enjoyable exposition of the contrasts between the English and the Irish, or, to stretch the point a bit, between the Yankee and the Southerner.

A Thoroughly Charming & Delightful British Comedy-Drama.......2001-10-25

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.

The Irish R.M. series 1.......2000-01-18

The Irish R.M. is I think one of the Best done series I have ever seen! In the first episode you see Major Sinclair Yates leaving for Ireland as Resident Magistrate with hopes his fiancee will come and join him. The first episode shows the major getting settled in his new home (Shrilane)! The second episode is the funniest in the whole series, it involves Flurry's abnoxious grandmother and horse stealing (by none other than the Major)! All the following episodes are of great enjoyment to any audience and I highly recomend a buy! If you like this one there is a follow-up series called the Irish RM II. BUY IT !

Fun and high jinks in late-Nineteenth Century Ireland........1999-12-14

Major Sinclair Yeates (Peter Bowles) leaves the army and becomes a Resident Magistrate in late-Nineteenth Century Ireland. There he encounters a people so foreign to his way of thinking that he often finds himself befuddled and hopelessly confused. Surrounding him are such people as the formidable Mrs. Cadogan (pronounced "Cayder-gorn"), the forceful and self-confident Mrs. Knox, and the leprechaun-like Flurry Knox. Major Yeates, though outmaneuvered and outthought by Flurry at almost every point, comes to appreciate the people he now lives amongst, and their charming culture.

The stories in this series (there are 5, one-hour tapes with one show per tape) are expertly done, and the cast is masterful at their parts. Indeed, Bryan Murray (who plays Flurry) steals the show as if he were born to the part. This show is great for family viewing containing nothing objectionable. Indeed, my two small children have developed a dance that they perform whenever the opening music begins!

This show is great if you like British humor, period drama, family entertainment, et cetera, ad infinitum!

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