I've blogged before about the number of priests who end up as amateur detectives in works of popular fiction. Mostly celibate Roman Catholics, so they are not hindered by their wives, I notice! Just look at this list who have popped up on Radio and TV
Brother Cadfael [Derek Jacobi]
Father Brown [Mark Williams]
Rev Sidney Chambers [Grantchester]
Father Baldi [David Threlfall, on Radio 4]
Father Dowling [Tom Bosley, an American TV series]
I'll add Harry Kemelman's "Rabbi Small" for good measure.
It has been fun watching Mark Williams return this past week for another series of Father Brown "inspired" by the works of GK Chesterton. The 1950's settings are excellent - all that 'green beryl' crockery, and twinsets, and women in hats. I'd thought the fans of this would be mainly my generation and older - but discovered two bright young teenagers of my acquaintance really enjoy this programme.Sydney Chambers is coming back, briefly, to Grantchester - in order to hand over the vicarage to a new incumbent. Tom Brittney, billed as 'the hot new vicar' Rev William Davenport, will be taking over for series four.
I suppose James Norton is busy doing other stuff like McMafia.I watched the new Agatha Christie over Christmas, but I wasn't at all convinced by Jon Malkovich as Poirot, sorry. I just didn't believe in his previous priestly past.
I enjoy mysteries/detective fiction, and I suppose the added dimension of a main character who takes the spiritual side of life seriously is an added bonus. A peaceful change from all those angst ridden policemen with dysfunctional families. But it's hardly true to life, is it? Bob was involved in solving the "Mystery of the Disappearing Overcoat" last Sunday - however there were no bodies, and no crimes committed. That episode won't make a TV script, will it?
Do you have a favourite Saintly Sleuth?
I love Father Brown, for the 50s nostalgia as much as Mark Williams' acting and the storylines. I also really like Grantchester, as James Norton is one of my favourite actors and I love the interaction between him and Robson Green's character. However, for a man of the cloth he's extremely fond of jumping into bed with a large assortment of women, isn't he?!
ReplyDeleteHe does seem a rather promiscuous doesn't he? Not exactly a good role model!
DeleteI was curate at Shrewsbury Abbey when the Cadfael stories came on TV and it brought a great influx of tourists who wrote "interesting" comments in our visitors book as the Abbey on TV is nothing like Shrewsbury. One obviously disappointed visitor commented that ours was "Quite a nice Abbey. Almost authentic".
ReplyDelete"But I saw it on TV/the Internet so it must be true..."
DeleteIt has to be Father Brown for me. I love the historical details and the fashions. I started watching Grantchester the other evening but it did not hold my attention like it used to do.
ReplyDeleteI recently read the Father Brown series and really enjoyed it. Mysteries are a favorite of mine and I especially love Agatha Christie.
ReplyDeleteThis TV series has gone beyond GKCs original stories...but I think they have kept closely to the character and spirit of the good priest
DeleteI enjoy Abbot Peter in the Simon Parke books, and Kate Charles's Psalm series, set in and around High Churches. Although it is usually the vicar who is the victim in her books.
ReplyDeleteI don't know either of these, I will check them out. Thank you
DeleteFather Brown and Brother Cadfael are my favorites. Wish we didn't have to wait so long here in the U.S. to see the new series of Father Brown!
ReplyDeleteHa, ha, glad to hear that the Mystery of the Disappearing Overcoat was solved with Bob's help and without any bodies or crimes being committed! :D
ReplyDelete