Pallisers

The Pallisers - The Complete Collection

What would you get if you combined the BBC, six Victorian novels, and a cheesy 1970s soap opera? Well, this! The Pallisers is as lavish in its aristocratic intrigues (political scandal and opportunity, lecherous dukes, palatial country houses, a world where everyone knows their place) as it is in its soap opera aesthetic (characters' tumultuous struggles for power, money, love). This made-for-television production is a strange blend of exquisite costuming, remarkable sets, and surprisingly good acting on the one hand and video-quality production and an utterly melodramatic script on the other. Definitely pleasurable viewing for all who enjoy watching the period passion, pomp, and politics of upper-class Victorians.

The BBC's 12-disc, 26-episode serialization of Anthony Trollope's Palliser novels (1865-1880) introduces Plantagenet Palliser and Lady Glencora, whose politically expedient marriage sets the stage for the rest of the Palliser dynasty's saga. Future episodes follow Plantagenet Palliser and Lady Glencora's rise to an even higher social echelon and the challenges that their growing family, including a new generation of Pallisers, must face. These episodes emphasize two family intimates--the ambitious and attractive Phineas Finn (Donal McCann), who divides his energies between politics and romance, and Lizzie Eustace (Sarah Badel), the comely young widow with diamond troubles. The splendid cast also includes Derek Jacobi as the lovelorn Lord Fawn and Penelope Keith as his overbearing sibling, and Brideshead Revisited's Anthony Andrews (Lord Silverbridge) and Jeremy Irons (Frank Tregear). Special features include a 36-page viewer's guide, an interview with Susan Hampshire (Lady Glencora), and information on Anthony Trollope, his fiction, and the Trollope Society. --Tara Chace

The BBC jewel that became a PBS classic!

"Wonderfully detailed etchings of manners, fashion and Parliamentary maneuvering" —The New York Times

Set in the palatial country houses and grand Mayfair salons of mid-Victorian England, The Pallisers is a sprawling BBC saga of wealth, passion, and power. Based on Anthony Trollope's six "political" novels—called the finest sequence of fiction ever written about British Parliamentary life—and adapted by contemporary British novelist Simon Raven, the series proved powerfully addictive to television audiences on both sides of the Atlantic.

Starring Emmy®-winner Susan Hampshire as the beautiful and passionate Lady Glencora, whose arranged marriage to rising politician Plantagenet Palliser (Philip Latham) touchingly endures despite being tested by public and private crises. Also starring Derek Jacobi (Cadfael), Penelope Keith (To the Manor Born), Anthony Andrews (Brideshead Revisited), Kate Nichols (Nicholas Nickleby), and Jeremy Irons (Damage).

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES INCLUDE exclusive Susan Hampshire interview, 36-page viewer's guide, Trollope materials, cast filmographies and Victoriana.

The Pallisers, Set 1

What would you get if you combined the BBC, six Victorian novels, and a cheesy 1970s soap opera? Well, this! The Pallisers is as lavish in its aristocratic intrigues (political scandal and opportunity, lecherous dukes, palatial country houses, a world where everyone knows their place) as it is in its soap opera aesthetic (characters' tumultuous struggles for power, money, love). This made-for-television production is a strange blend of exquisite costuming, remarkable sets, and surprisingly good acting on the one hand and video-quality production and an utterly melodramatic script on the other. Definitely pleasurable viewing for all who enjoy watching the period passion, pomp, and politics of upper-class Victorians.

Set 1 contains the first 8 episodes of the BBC's 26-episode serialization of Anthony Trollope's Palliser novels (1865-1880), introducing Plantagenet Palliser and Lady Glencora, whose politically expedient marriage sets the stage for the rest of the Palliser dynasty's saga. The DVD's special features include a 36-page viewer's guide, an interview with Susan Hampshire (Lady Glencora), and information on Anthony Trollope, his fiction, and the Trollope Society. --Tara Chace

The Pallisers, Set 3

The social intrigues and parliamentary maneuverings of the great Palliser family come to a dramatic conclusion with the last nine episodes of this addictive 26-part series. Lady Glencora struggles amidst adversity to hold her family together and retain its social standing.

The Pallisers, Set 2

What would you get if you combined the BBC, six Victorian novels, and a cheesy 1970s soap opera? Well, this! The Pallisers is as lavish in its aristocratic intrigues (political scandal and opportunity, lecherous dukes, palatial country houses, a world where everyone knows their place) as it is in its soap opera aesthetic (characters' tumultuous struggles for power, money, love). This made-for-television production is a strange blend of exquisite costuming, remarkable sets, and surprisingly good acting on the one hand and video-quality production and an utterly melodramatic script on the other. Definitely pleasurable viewing for all who enjoy watching the period passion, pomp, and politics of upper-class Victorians.

Set 2 contains episodes 9 through 17 of the BBC's 26-episode serialization of Anthony Trollope's Palliser novels (1865-1880), following Plantagenet Palliser and Lady Glencora's rise to an even higher social echelon and the challenges that their growing family must face. These episodes emphasize two family intimates--the ambitious and attractive Phineas Finn, who divides his energies between politics and romance, and Lizzie Eustace, the comely young widow with diamond troubles. The splendid cast includes Derek Jacobi as the lovelorn Lord Fawn and Penelope Keith as his overbearing sibling. The DVD's special features include a new interview with Susan Hampshire (Lady Glencora) and cast filmographies. --Tara Chace

Clamoring fans get another dose of "The Pallisers" with the release of episodes 9-17 of this opulent 26-episode drama, based on the six great political novels by Anthony Trollope.