Cadfael is an amazing show that I remember well from when I was a kid. This is the only Mystery program that my parents would let me stay up for when I was younger. Recently I decided to look them up again, and started with the books, then moved onto the show.
The transitions are almost flawless. Of course there are things that you miss, and subtle nuances that can't be translated. Still, the writers do an admirable job of condensing the 200 or so pages in each book into a coherent, thorough story.
Derek Jacobi is, of course, amazing. I cannot imagine anyone else playing Brother Cadfael. Sean Pertwee was my favorite Beringar, or at least the one that captured the Hugh from the books the best. I also though the relationship Pertwee and Jacobi's characters was the closest to portraying the deep, brotherly love and trust between Cadfael and Beringar.
At the center of every Cadfael is a damned fine mystery. I can't say that the twists and turns are Holmesian, but the end is surprising enough that you don't get bored. Wrapped up in the plot is usually an endearing love story. Not saccharine or distracting, but sweet enough to keep you involved, and a good way to show that even in murder mysteries featuring monks, there is still a place for romance.moreless
Show Summary
EDIT
Welcome to the Cadfael guide at TV.com. Brother Cadfael is a twelfth-century Anglo-Welsh monk created by the late Edith Pargeter, writing under the pen name of Ellis Peters. A retired crusader disappointed in love, now a herbalist in charge of the gardens of Shrewsbury Abbey, Cadfael (played by Derek Jacobi) is often called on to solve murders and other crimes in and around Shrewsbury, Shropshire, in the border country where England meets Wales. The producers decided to film the series on location in Hungary, seemingly on the grounds that it looks more medieval than present-day England. This is why quite a number of Hungarian actors appear as guests. The original Cadfael books are: A Morbid Taste for Bones (1977), One Corpse Too Many (1979), Monk's-Hood (1980), Saint Peter's Fair (1981), The Leper of Saint Giles(1981), The Virgin in the Ice (1982), The Sanctuary Sparrow (1983), The Devil's Novice (1983), Dead Man's Ransom (1984), The Pilgrim of Hate (1984), An Excellent Mystery (1985), The Raven in the Foregate (1986), The Rose Rent (1986), The Hermit of Eyton Forest (1987), The Confession of Brother Haluin (1988), The Heretic's Apprentice (1989), The Potter's Field (1989), The Summer of the Danes (1991), The Holy Thief (1992) and Brother Cadfael's Penance (1994).moreless
 Terrence Hardiman |
Abbot Radulfus |
Michael Culver |
Prior Robert |
 Derek Jacobi |
Brother Cadfael |
Julian Firth |
Brother Jerome |
Sean Pertwee |
Hugh Beringar |
Mark Charnock |
Brother Oswin |
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Thursday
No results found.
Friday
No results found.
Saturday
No results found.
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The Pilgrim of Hate
S 4 : Ep 3
Aired 12/28/98 (1:16:00)
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The Potter's Field
S 4 : Ep 2
Aired 12/23/98 (1:16:00)
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The Holy Thief
S 4 : Ep 1
Aired 6/23/98 (1:16:00)
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The Raven in the Foregate
S 3 : Ep 3
Aired 8/26/97 (1:16:00)
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Missing Episode!
08/04/072Reply
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Worth Watching for Jacobi
11/03/065Reply
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Themes
British TV, Detectives, Historical, Murder & Mayhem