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Short summary

Jasper is the perfect English Civil Servant - polite and refined. But to his girl friend, and even to himself, he is a bore. So he decides to become a painter in Paris. Not so fast. The powers-that-be send him to the country to dismantle a forgotten research unit which is headquartered in an old mansion. The eccentric owner lives in a railway train, on his own 'branch line', letting the government pay for the upkeep of his ancestral home. The small research unit enjoys running the stately home and everyone is content with the status quo. Enter Jasper who quickly meets Lord Flamborough's three daughters, who, in one way or another contrive to make Jasper feel very much at home. Jasper's life is turned upside down, and he must eventually decide where his own personal future will lie.

The four episodes were named after 1920s song titles: "Yes Sir, That's My Baby", "I Wonder Where My Baby Is Tonight", "I Can't Give You Anything But Love, Baby" and "Ain't She Sweet".

The two Pullman coaches used in Lord Flamborough's train were originally part of a famous Brighton Belle train. They have since been acquired by the 5-Bel Trust who are restoring a complete train to run on the mainline again. The two coaches used in the programme are both 3rd class coaches, so have numbers (87 and 91) instead of names. Only 1st class Pullman coaches had names in the UK.

User reviews


  • comment
    • Author: Cha
    A truly English escapist romantic comedy, in which a disillusioned civil servant finds love, tranquillity and the return of his sense of self, whilst on a special assignment to a small government "research" establishment at a country estate in the rural East Anglia (part of eastern England) of the 1950s. The fascination of a part of the English psyche then and now with the past (especially railways and agricultural machinery) is well caught, as is the need for the "rural idyll".

    This version of Arcadia is a marvellous adaptation of a book by John Hadfield, with the entire cast being accurate in the portrayal of the atmosphere required. A genuine delight.
  • comment
    • Author: Qucid
    A sweet and somewhat surrealistic fantasy-visit to a 1950's rural England that never was; occasionally feels like a visit to an adult theme-park. A bit of something for everyone - it combines elements of a "Stately Homes and Gardens" tour, railway nostalgia, adult comedy/romance, and surprising dashes of nudity and carnality. Lots of colorful and eccentric local characters. As it ended I felt that the new sweethearts would do well to get back to the real world as soon as possible! Many women will find the bumbling Michael Maloney sweetly handsome and sexy. Production values are high, and overall its a minor effort very well done.
  • comment
    • Author: Virn
    bittersweet comedy as railroad bureaucrat stumbles upon love in rural English village. menage a how many? Maloney strikes just the right note as the befuddled hero. wonderful supporting cast. wry, endearing, understated British comedy.
  • comment
    • Author: Kirizius
    Jaspar Pye, a hapless civil servant sent by Whitehall to close down an obscure statistical unit which is operating from a manor home, instead finds himself enchanted by the people and events of Arcady. The fact that the three daughters of the house find him instantly attractive, a sentiment reciprocated, is only the beginning. Mr. Pye's adventures find him the hero of a cricket match, a conspirator in mild skullduggery, sotted in a basement, besotted with the one sister out of reach, and thoroughly enmeshed in the course of life in this remote town. All roads lead to love, of one kind or another, for Jaspar. While performing his duties, he finds a sense of security and self which takes him to places undreamt of until the moment arrives to experience them.
  • Series cast summary:
    Michael Maloney Michael Maloney - Jasper Pye 4 episodes, 1994
    Leslie Phillips Leslie Phillips - Lord Flamborough 4 episodes, 1994
    Maria Aitken Maria Aitken - Lady Flamborough 4 episodes, 1994
    Graham Crowden Graham Crowden - Professor Pollux 4 episodes, 1994
    Stephen Moore Stephen Moore - Quirk 4 episodes, 1994
    Amanda Root Amanda Root - Miss Mounsey 4 episodes, 1994
    David Haig David Haig - Lionel Virley 4 episodes, 1994
    Cathryn Harrison Cathryn Harrison - Chloe 4 episodes, 1994
    Abigail Cruttenden Abigail Cruttenden - Belinda 4 episodes, 1994
    Charlotte Williams Charlotte Williams - Matilda 4 episodes, 1994
    Gillian Raine Gillian Raine - Miss Tidy 4 episodes, 1994
    Joe Melia Joe Melia - Mr. Jones 4 episodes, 1994
    Maggie Wells Maggie Wells - Dimple Potts 4 episodes, 1994
    Ken Sharrock Ken Sharrock - Charley Aspall 2 episodes, 1994
    Walter Sparrow Walter Sparrow - Chitty Buckthorn 2 episodes, 1994
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