The books were, without doubt, extraordinary in their depiction of the age and families within those years. They were well written and absorbing. The script writers and the director had a lot from which to translate the book to the screen. They succeeded partially. At times the acting was so contrived that it was seemed to be a lesson in how not to act. It was rather like a play put on by a village dramatic society. The writers and director were saved by some very good acting by the leading actors and actresses but it must be said that this was because of very good casting. All the leads, except Glyn Houston, were acting themselves. 1978 people the same characters as in 1903? Yes but the genre is fast fading in the present Britain. What a tragedy.
5 Reviews
Workman like
andyspeake4 August 2018
I watched this back in 78 (aged 12) before reading the novels. The adaptation is solid, but generally uninspiring with 'comedy yokels' playing the Devonians. Glyn Houston was by far the most effective member of the cast imo. It's worth watching as an example of the kind of product the BBC was turning out at the time... no doubt they were looking for another Poldark. However, if you really want a fine adaptation of RF Delderfield then 'To Serve Them All My Days' from 1981 is far better.
Should be brought back
patlightfoot6 December 2007
I was very disappointed with the TV version. A Horseman Riding By is my favourite book/s. No Icky Palfrey in the first series, and I thought that was one of the lynch pin characters in the book. No Uncle Franz? I liked Nigel in the part, but felt him a bit wooden at first and I was quite disappointed in the presentation of what is to me a very classic series of books. It's out on DVD, but I felt the casting was very good bar the exclusion of Icky. Why did they decide to do that? Maybe the direction was at fault? But it should be a much longer series, and end after vol.3.
Maybe they will bring it back one day.
Maybe they will bring it back one day.
Good, but Limited
nzfiona-123-21448226 December 2020
Warning: Spoilers
This dramatisation "A Horseman Riding By" is by a fair representation of of the beloved novel trilogy by R. F. Delderfield. It is, however, restricted by the budgetary resources at the time and had to cram a lot into the 12 episodes - not uncommon in the 70s and 80s when popular English novels were popping up in televised versions left, right and center. Central storylines are left out, partly due to time and partly due to some characters just not making an appearance. In this series, the well-loved character Percy "Ikey" Palfrey is non-existent, ensuring several scenes not being required to be filmed, which is wise from a production point of view, however leaving such an integral character out disappointed many fans of the books. Additionally, taking out 'Uncle' Franz Zorndorff and ending the series at just post WWI meant the side stories involving the twins Steven and Andrew were not required.
The trademark 'dark, clearly-shot-on-a-BBC-set' interior scenes in this show might seem dreary to many who did not grow up at a time when this was the accepted colourisation seen on TV; however, it is somewhat nostalgic to those of us who, as children, had no choice but to watch what our parents put on the telly.
That being said, the main characters were brought to life fairy well by Nigel Havers, Glyn Houston, Prunella Ransome and Fiona Gaunt. It's not clear if they read the books at all, however the script writing is good enough to get the personalities across as Delderfield mostly intended.
Overall, a good enough TV show, however 'buyer beware' if there is an expectation of seeing the entirety of 'A Horseman Riding By' brought to life on the small screen.
The trademark 'dark, clearly-shot-on-a-BBC-set' interior scenes in this show might seem dreary to many who did not grow up at a time when this was the accepted colourisation seen on TV; however, it is somewhat nostalgic to those of us who, as children, had no choice but to watch what our parents put on the telly.
That being said, the main characters were brought to life fairy well by Nigel Havers, Glyn Houston, Prunella Ransome and Fiona Gaunt. It's not clear if they read the books at all, however the script writing is good enough to get the personalities across as Delderfield mostly intended.
Overall, a good enough TV show, however 'buyer beware' if there is an expectation of seeing the entirety of 'A Horseman Riding By' brought to life on the small screen.
I wish the trilogy had been completed
derjerzy5 September 2006
This series based on the Horseman Trilogy of R.F.Delderfield has a rather rocky start, but after a change of directors after episode 5, it becomes much better. So much so that I wish the series had been completed rather than left at the end of WWI. Presumably it wasn't drawing the audience that the BBC wanted, so they pulled the plug. With the change in direction, the story is filled out, but lack of context for characters in the previous episodes must leave those who have not read the books wondering what is going on. Nigel Havers and Prunella Ransome grow on you just like the series. Havers, then a young actor, ages very well, so does Ransome.
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