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Rating:  -
When Oliver's Travels first aired on PBS I taped it and found myself watching it repeatedly. However, I noted that there were inconsistencies in the first episode, which I learned later was a truncated version of the first two episodes. The editing was so bad that some of the lines made no sense, because the context had been removed. The DVD version finally restored the series as it was originally aired in the UK.
Oliver's Travels is a masterpiece of writing, full of eccentric characters, loaded with social commentary and religious and literary allusions that alternate between serious and funny. British humor is often understated, but there are some laugh out loud moments as well. What especially struck me is how comfortable the actors seemed in their roles with one another. All in all a very entertaining story.
Rating:  -
"Oliver's Travels" is a British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) television series, sort of a light British mystery/road picture/drama/ adventure/romantic comedy/thriller. It was, interestingly enough, actually made by BBC Wales: an unusual provenance that, which possibly explains the plentiful, lovely Welsh scenery and the plentiful supporting actors, with yeasty little parts, and strong flavorful Welsh accents, not necessarily given cast credits that we see in the first episodes. It might also explain, for all we know, the bounteous green highways and byways of Midlands-Northern English scenery, and Scottish scenery, that we see later on -- we even see Hadrian's Wall that separates England and Scotland, for goodness sake. And all of the scenery populated by more outstanding supporting actors, enjoying their fully-written parts, and using their local accents to the fullest.
At any rate, the series, in five episodes, was initially broadcast on the BBC in 1995; it was broadcast on American Public Broadcasting System's Masterpiece Theatre in 1996, and reprised once. Since then, apparently, viewers have been begging for it to be released on DVD. It's now in a 2-volume boxed set, containing the five episodes, with a running time of approximately 245 minutes. And secret subtitles - bless you, Acorn Media, for allowing us on this side of the pond to enjoy all those Welsh, Geordie, and Scottish accents to the fullest. (The box doesn't advertise subtitles; but if you ask your TV for them, there they will be.)
Alan Bates (Women in Love) stars as Oliver (we never learn whether it's his first name or last), an eccentric professor of comparative religions, who, after being involuntarily retired, decides to track down "Aristotle," maker of his favorite Times crossword puzzles. His efforts to do so bring him into contact with Sinead Cusack (Stealing Beauty) as policewoman Diane Priest, who's given all the loonies at her precinct. She's suspended for some incautious sleuthing on a local murder mystery that comes too near top police brass, so they decide to throw in their lots together and travel cross-country to Scotland's Orkney Islands, in pursuit of "Aristotle," and the miscreants in her mystery: the two quests seem to be growing tied together. The witty script is by the award-winning Alan Plater ( The Beiderbecke Affair). Some of the outstanding supporting performers who turn up are Bill Paterson, Mollie Sugden (Are You Being Served? The Complete Collection); Miles Anderson; the wonderful Charlotte Coleman, who died far too young ("Scarlett" in Four Weddings and a Funeral); Ian Cuthbertson, and John Woodvine.
It's seldom enough we see a middle-aged romance, between actors who show wrinkles, though they are certainly attractive people; and it's welcome when we do. (Though sorry, I must say, in one way this series does seem to belong to an earlier school of British filmmaking that reflected earlier British dentistry standards: Bates' teeth are absolutely brown, and you'd never call Cusack's white.) Furthermore, this is a distinctly light, "romantic" mystery, and a road picture with lots and lots of whimsy, and witty banter: you'd best have a taste for that kind of thing to fully enjoy it. There's non-stop chat in the car, and some of it can seem precious and pointless. Some American viewers may find the script overwritten, and feel that Bates tends to overact in it: a certain "twee" quality results. Nevertheless, even an entertainment that tries too hard to be charming can be charming.
Rating: -
When Oliver (Alan Bates), a popular college professor in Comparative Religion, and amateur crossword and anagram aficionado is "made redundant" and forced to take early retirement, he embarks on a roadtrip to the Orkney Islands, in a quest to locate the whereabouts of Aristotle. This is the pen name for his favorite crossword puzzle creator, who has mysteriously disappeared.
Along the way, Oliver convinces police constable Diane Priest (Sinead Cusack) to accompany him, and what ensues is a clever story, filled with witty and fast-paced banter, and peopled with a whole host of colorful characters. An especially excellent performance is turned in by Bill Paterson, who plays a sinister character who pursues them relentlessly along their journey.
A combination mystery, middle-age romance, comedy and travelogue, watching Oliver's Travel is a pleasant way to spend several hours. Originally aired as a PBS Mystery mini-series, this DVD set comes in 5 episodes, each approximately 50 minutes long.
Rating:  -
This movie is only for Bates and Cusak fans.The story is only a pretext to showcase the actors. Is too vague, unfocused,too long. It has its nice moments and beautiful scenery, but that's it.
Rating: -
My wife and I love traveling in England and Scotland. So, when I chanced upon Oliver's Travels at a local bookstore I purchased it based solely on the cover description. It has since become one of our viewing favorites and inspired us to host a series of "Episode Parties" with friends. Each party was themed to match the accompanying episode, with classic Jazz music, British food and great micro brewed English style ales. Everyone had a great time and loved viewing each episode, which prompted spirited discussion about the music, plot, actors, travel, English culture and "funny thing(s) about sex". Highly recommended!
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