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Short summary

When an ancient bell is discovered at the bottom of a lake near a nunnery, it creates all kinds of problems for people in the area.

Tessa Peake-Jones' first nude scene.

User reviews


  • comment
    • Author: Ese
    I haven't seen this series since it was first broadcast, and I was all of 17 when I saw it so possibly my memory of it is distorted. But I do remember it being hauntingly beautiful in its on-location (as I remember it) rural setting, not least the underwater scene where Toby (Michael Maloney), a young student about to go to Oxford, discovers the submerged bell of the title; and I was impressed by Ian Holm as the repressed homosexual head of the community in which the action takes place. The drama, based on Iris Murdoch's novel, struck me as very powerful, and my hope of being able to see it again has been rekindled by the discovery that the score was by Marc Wilkinson, who also scored Peter Shaffer's "The Royal Hunt of the Sun" and that terribly titled but wonderful film "Blood on Satan's Claw".

    Apologies for not being able to offer a more in-depth review, but since nobody else seems to have written about this series here and I fondly remember it, I hope this review stirs more into being written.
  • comment
    • Author: Adoranin
    I cannot possibly understand why the BBC have never repeated this excellent dramatisation of my favourite novel in the English language. It defies explanation. The faithful adaptation, casting, photography and music have haunted me too for 30 years. I can find only one comment on the entire internet and it is the review which precedes mine. Let us once again enjoy this elegant drama series.

    The truth of this book, the rich symbolism, the colours and expressions, the quality of the filming, the beautiful settings, the atmosphere, the acting and the eloquently spoken lines from a rich assembly of some of our finest actors deserves to live and breathe in our lives again. Sorry, I was forced to write at least ten lines so this second paragraph is froth and frills just to comply!
  • Series cast summary:
    Rowena Cooper Rowena Cooper - Mrs. Mark 4 episodes, 1982
    Kenneth Cranham Kenneth Cranham - Nick Fawley 4 episodes, 1982
    Edward Hardwicke Edward Hardwicke - Peter Topglass 4 episodes, 1982
    Patricia Heneghan Patricia Heneghan - Sister Ursula 4 episodes, 1982
    Ian Holm Ian Holm - Michael Meade 4 episodes, 1982
    Michael Maloney Michael Maloney - Toby Gashe 4 episodes, 1982
    Derrick O'Connor Derrick O'Connor - Noel Spens 4 episodes, 1982
    Tessa Peake-Jones Tessa Peake-Jones - Dora Greenfield 4 episodes, 1982
    Bryan Pringle Bryan Pringle - Patchway 4 episodes, 1982
    William Simons William Simons - Mark Strafford 4 episodes, 1982
    Trudie Styler Trudie Styler - Catherine Fawley 4 episodes, 1982
    Gareth Thomas Gareth Thomas - James Tayper Pace 4 episodes, 1982
    James Warwick James Warwick - Paul Greenfield 4 episodes, 1982
    John Woodvine John Woodvine - James Tayper 4 episodes, 1982
    Tim Wylton Tim Wylton - Fr. Bob Joyce 4 episodes, 1982
    Rachel Kempson Rachel Kempson - Abbess 2 episodes, 1982
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