What a disappointment!

Last night we watched the first episode of “Father Brown” (BBC1 2.15pm) which we had recorded earlier in the week.

We both have fond memories of the character of Father Brown from the film, starring Alec Guiness & Peter Finch, the 1970’s series starring Kenneth More, and the original tales by G K Chesterton. So it was with some eager anticipation that we settled down to watch this series.

What a disappointment! We had wondered why this series was being shown in the afternoon throughout the week rather than in prime time in the evening. Now we know why.

This new portrayal of the character lacks any charisma, any impression of shrewdness & great insight into people and what makes them ticks. Also all humour is lost, too. Carrying around a furled umbrella at all times is not enough to indicate the eccentricity of the man. Instead the strong thread of Catholicism is rammed home to the watcher. All a bit much for us.

We had recorded all the rest of the week’s episodes & were intending to record the rest of the series. Instead we’ve scrapped the lost in disgust.