He Knew He Was Right

Starring:Oliver Dimsdale, Laura Fraser (II), Anna Massey, Bill Nighy, Geoffrey Palmer, Christina Cole, Geraldine James, Jane Lapotaire, Raymond Coulthard, Maggie Ollerenshaw, Stephen Campbell Moore, Caroline Martin (II), Amy Marston, Joanna David, David Tennant, Barbara Flynn, Claudie Blakley, Fenella Woolgar, Ron Cook, Patsy Palmer
Director: Tom Vaughan
Studio: BBC Warner
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
Novelist Anthony Trollope doesn't have the name recognition of his Victorian contemporary Charles Dickens, but he has all of Dickens's strengths and more--invigorating plots, eccentric characters bursting with life, and an insightful, panoramic view of English society. He Knew He Was Right starts with an idyllic romance between the well-off Louis Trevelyan (Oliver Dimsdale) and Emily Rowley (Laura Fraser). But when the rakish Col. Osborne (Bill Nighy, Love Actually) begins to visit her regularly, Louis becomes jealous--and the pressures of Victorian society soon turn this jealousy into an all-consuming possession that could destroy the lives of Louis, Emily, and their young son. This dark and harrowing story is deftly juxtaposed with two related tales: A blithely flirtatious clergyman finds himself fought over by a pair of squabbling sisters and a young woman struggles to find happiness despite the controlling grip of her miserly spinster aunt (the always superb Anna Massey, Angels & Insects, The Importance of Being Earnest).

Description

The Anthony Trollope Collection contains three masterpieces and over 15 hours of timeless film from one of the greatest nineteenth-century novelist. Visit the fascinating world of Victorian England through the eyes of Anthony Trollope, as the prolific and respected novelist illustrates the penetrating conflicts of the day.

Customer Reviews:

Shared Pleasure.......2007-06-11

The Barchester Chronicles was interesting and in some of the episodes fasinating and engrossing. A good movie.

Great Renditions of Stories Ahead of Their Time.......2007-02-20

Anthony Trollope was remarkable, a man who understood feminist issues before there was a name for them. His female characters are often strong and sympathetic, and his insight into social issues made his novels more than ordinary potboilers. I do prefer the novels, where Trollope's wit and sometimes snide observations give depth to every scene. But every one of these elegantly filmed stories offers a long, luxurious look into a world long gone, and is perfect for a long lounge before the fire on a dismal day.

Average customer rating:

Very entertaining!
depressing, no reason to keep watching
*I* knew I was right!
Well worth it
He Knew He Was Right is an Excellent BBC mini-series well worth your time and money!

He Knew He Was Right
Starring: Oliver Dimsdale , Laura Fraser (II) , Anna Massey , Bill Nighy , and Geoffrey Palmer
Director: Tom Vaughan
Manufacturer: BBC Warner
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Period Piece | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Miniseries | Television | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs as Low as $9.49 | The Big DVD Sale | Stores | DVD | Video

( H ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

The Way We Live Now
Daniel Deronda
Middlemarch
North & South
The Barchester Chronicles

ASIN: B00065GVIO
Release Date: 2005-01-25

Amazon.com

Novelist Anthony Trollope doesn't have the name recognition of his Victorian contemporary Charles Dickens, but he has all of Dickens's strengths and more--invigorating plots, eccentric characters bursting with life, and an insightful, panoramic view of English society. He Knew He Was Right starts with an idyllic romance between the well-off Louis Trevelyan (Oliver Dimsdale) and Emily Rowley (Laura Fraser). But when the rakish Col. Osborne (Bill Nighy, Love Actually) begins to visit her regularly, Louis becomes jealous--and the pressures of Victorian society soon turn this jealousy into an all-consuming possession that could destroy the lives of Louis, Emily, and their young son. This dark and harrowing story is deftly juxtaposed with two related tales: A blithely flirtatious clergyman finds himself fought over by a pair of squabbling sisters and a young woman struggles to find happiness despite the controlling grip of her miserly spinster aunt (the always superb Anna Massey, Angels & Insects, The Importance of Being Earnest).

Customer Reviews:

Very entertaining!.......2007-02-15

First of all, let me say that this was my first introduction to Anthony Trollope. I have never read any of his books, and I was not sure what his particular writing style would be and if I would like it or not. I couldn't find that many reviews of this particular movie on the internet, and I almost did not purchase it. I decided to get the Anthony Trollope Collection anyway and wanted to try the movie that seemed to be the least liked first and go up from there. As usual, when Andrew Davies is involved, everything was very well done. The scenery was very pretty, the clothing, sets, etc. really made you feel like you were there. The characters were all easy to look at and, for the most part, pretty likeable. The main story focuses on the newly married Trevelyns and his unfounded jealousy. There are also many other storylines going on, though. Emily Trevelyn's sister, Nora, and her love interest; the entertaining vicar and the French sisters; Hugh, his sister, Dorothy, and their love interests, all have big parts in the movie, so that the main storyline doesn't bring the whole thing down. I was pleased to find humor, too. With so many unique characters, it never gets boring. In fact, I stayed up until 1 o'clock in the morning because I just had to know how it ended. I am not saying that it is replacing my Pride and Prejudice, North and South, or Wives and Daughters, but it was well worth the time, and I plan to watch it again. The ending wasn't perfect, and I didn't have that giddy, perfectly happy feeling, but I don't regret my purchase at all. I guess you will just have to give it a try and see for yourself.

depressing, no reason to keep watching.......2007-02-10

dealing with insanity is very frustrating, because of course it isn't logical and yet the people around a crazy person keep trying to use logic to deal with an illogical person.
Depressing to watch, finally quit watching, there are many other more interesting series to watch. Buy some old videos of the Pallisers, for instance.

*I* knew I was right!.......2006-10-09

I have to say that I had mixed feelings about this miniseries when I first started watching it. First of all, I never read the Anthony Trollope novel this program is based on and I was at a loss of what to expect. Second, I didn't like the fact that the characters spoke to the viewer. Those monologues seemed awkward and just silly to me at first. But then I realized that the monologues were important for the viewer to understand the characters' inner conflicts and feelings. He Knew He Was Right is yet another wonderful BBC masterpiece that tells a story that is ironic, tragic, poignant, but also funny. Louis Trevelyan (Oliver Dimsdale) thought he'd married the perfect woman. But when his wife Emily (Laura Fraser) begins to have daily visits from her godfather, the Colonel Osborne (Bill Nighy), Trevelyan is convinced that the two of them are having an affair. And the gossip from third parties doesn't help matters. Louis wants Emily to sever contact with her godfather and to promise to be faithful, but Emily, a spirited young woman with an independent streak, refuses to make such promises. After all, she isn't guilty of his accusations. In this compelling story, we also meet some colorful characters -- a flirtatious clergyman, two rivaling sisters, an old and mischievous scoundrel (Colonel Osborne), an overbearing old woman and her favorite niece -- all of their stories are wonderful to watch.

At first, I thought Louis's jealousy was illogical and he seemed paranoid more than anything to me. And it turns out that, well, I was right. I cannot discuss this storyline further without giving away the plot and the things that occur in the story, but the irony in how things unfold was not lost on me. I wish I had read Trollope's novel before watching this so that I could make a fair comparison. The miniseries in itself though is wonderful. I was almost in tears at the end and I enjoyed Dimsdale's performance. He gave his character plenty of depth and showcased Louis's conflicting emotions and changes in a subtle, yet palatable way. I wish I could say the same thing for Emily Trevelyan though. Though I have no idea how talented Ms. Fraser may be, I thought that her portrayal of Emily Trevelyan was quite one-dimensional. We were told that she was an independent woman (for Victorian standards), but, other than her unwillingness to yield to Louis's illogical demands, this is seldom showcased in the series. The other actors are great. Even though I think I've seen some of those faces before but cannot remember (except for Nighy, for he played the aging rock star in Love, Actually), I loved their performances. As for the production itself, the wardrobe, sets, scenery and production quality are top notch. But I have yet seen a BBC period piece that isn't beautiful and well-detailed. He Knew He Was Right is a pleasant surprise. Screenwriter Andrew Davies has once again showcased his talent for adaptations. I'm glad I've added this to my ever-growing BBC library and I strongly suggest all period drama enthusiasts to give this series a whirl.

Well worth it.......2006-09-27

We couldn't stop watching it. Highly entertaining. It will have you laughing and crying within moments of each other.

He Knew He Was Right is an Excellent BBC mini-series well worth your time and money!.......2006-07-16

Anthony Trollope is famed for his Barchester and Palliser
novels but wrote many more excellent pieces of ficton. He Knew
He Was Right is a huge three-decker which was recently dramatized in the lush,leisurely told and faithful to the text the way we
expect from the BBC! Excellent actors; exquiste costuming and
beautiful scenery add to the joys of watching classic works come alive on the screen.
The novel tells the tragic tale of the wealthy Louis Trevelyan who weds the beautiful Emily . She is the daughter of a British
diplomat posted in the Mandarin Islands. The novel has several
plot strands.
1. Louis wrongly thinking he was right accuses Emily of adultery
with the odious old flirt Colonel Osborne. He take their child
little Louis and flees to Italy. As a result of his fatuous mono-
mania a tragedy transpires.
2. The charming tale of the love of Dorothy and Brook Burke in
the city of Wells. Anna Massey plays the fussy but lovable old
aunt opposing their union.
3. The story of Nora the sister of Emily and her love for an
impecunious newspaper paper man following her rejection of the
wealthy Lord Glasscock (he in turns falls in love with of all
people-an American)
4. The hilarious tale of poor Rev. Gibson caught between two
frightful French sisters who quarrel and battle over the right to
be Mrs. Gibson!!!!!!!
The Victorian time was the great age of the English novel. Trollope could tell a complicated story; knew human nature and
keeps us laughing,crying and guessing throughout each of the
four episodes in the series!
An excellent dramatization of the life of Trollope is an added bonus.
Excellent for all of us Anglophiles!

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