Father Brown TV Series

[exnihilo]

Having read all the Fr.B mysteries and seen just about every filmed version ever made, I can say I like the BBC series with Mark Williams, but I do have some reservations and I’m not all that impressed with the plotlines nor always happy with the solutions the writers choose for the characters, etc.

Still, it’s great to see a Catholic priest portrayed in such a good light in Western society. And they do have a priest consultant, although from some of the storylines, I don’t think they always go by what he tells them. But, it’s fiction, after all, so that’s to be expected.

In the books GKC wasn’t as concerned with the mysteries, their plots or even the characters as much as in correcting public perception of Catholic priests as hidebound, bumbling idiots without brains or reason, dishing out superstition and religiosity instead of good sense and real faith. He based Fr.B on a real priest he knew who was a huge influence in his life, and was instrumental in his conversion to Catholicism.

BBC’s first series of Fr.B starring Kenneth More stayed much closer to GKC’s original stories, and are better mysteries. Those who love the small English village setting wouldn’t like it because they are not set in a small English parish. None of GKC’s stories feature sidekicks characters like Mrs. M. and Lady Felicia. GKC widely varied his settings and characters excepting Flambeau, who is featured more as his assistant in solving crimes than anyone else.

I agree. The original stories were more about the persons than the mysteries. It was about the fact Fr. Brown knew more about humanity than anyone else because he knew man more intimately most especially from confession.

I enjoy the current series more for the time period, scenery and relative innocence compared to most modern shows. It is enjoyable but strays a good bit from the original concept.

 

[DlandFan06]

Hello everyone. I’m not sure how many of you know about it already, but I wanted to make a thread here to tell everyone about a show which I absolutely love and which, despite being made by the BBC, is one of the most Catholic shows I’ve ever seen. It’s called Father Brown. It’s broadcast in the US by PBS, and is now on Netflix (woot!). It’s based on GK Chesterton’s mystery-solving priest, but using original stories, set twenty years after Chesterton’s death. I say I love it both because it’s exceptionally well-made, but also because it’s deeply Catholic. Father Brown is one of the most accurate and admirable portrayals of a Catholic I’ve ever seen. He is essentially a perfect role model for the faith. And, his cases always involve something spiritual. For example, he always says that his first concern is saving souls, and he always says he wants the criminal to confess their sins. It is critical of bad Catholics, but I believe this is appropriate, and is always in comparison with the true Catholicism of Father Brown.

I can’t recommend this show highly enough. While it obviously does have some graphic and mature qualities, as a crime show, I would even recommend it for families, as well as new Catholics, to learn what it means to be a true, good Catholic like Father Brown. And, it’s also an introduction to the genius of Chesterton, of whom Father Brown closely mirrors and whom he even at times directly quotes. If you haven’t seen it, please check it out! God bless!

I really wish Father Brown existed in real life. I’d go to him for confession all the time!

 

[7_Sorrows]

I am on Season 2 now. It is addictive! Is the show still filming?

I was thinking yesterday with all the murders the population is dwindling in the village and the parish membership must be getting smaller.

I was sad to see Inspector Valentine leave. I have to get used to Inspector Sullivan
now.

 

[exnihilo]

I am on Season 2 now. It is addictive! Is the show still filming?

I was thinking yesterday with all the murders the population is dwindling in the village and the parish membership must be getting smaller.

I was sad to see Inspector Valentine leave. I have to get used to Inspector Sullivan
now.

The 5th series/season was just released at the beginning of 2017. I don’t know if they plan another series.

You are right the parish must be getting small and it wasn’t big to begin with. It seems you don’t want to invite Fr. Brown to a party any more than you would Jessica Fletcher from Murder She Wrote, which had over two hundred episodes. In either case you are almost guaranteed one or more people will be murdered.

 

[Della]

The 5th series/season was just released at the beginning of 2017. I don’t know if they plan another series.

You are right the parish must be getting small and it wasn’t big to begin with. It seems you don’t want to invite Fr. Brown to a party any more than you would Jessica Fletcher from Murder She Wrote, which had over two hundred episodes. In either case you are almost guaranteed one or more people will be murdered.

That points up one of the difficulties of putting a murder mystery series in only one setting. Or having one character always involved in murder wherever s/he goes, doesn’t it? Still, if the stories are told well enough and the characters compelling enough, it seems a significant number of people are willing suspend their credulity to enjoy a well-done production, ala Murder She Wrote and Father Brown.

 

[GEddie]

I really wish Father Brown existed in real life. I’d go to him for confession all the time!

I am blessed to have a SA very much like him!

ICXC NIKA

 

[7_Sorrows]

The 5th series/season was just released at the beginning of 2017. I don’t know if they plan another series.

You are right the parish must be getting small and it wasn’t big to begin with. It seems you don’t want to invite Fr. Brown to a party any more than you would Jessica Fletcher from Murder She Wrote, which had over two hundred episodes. In either case you are almost guaranteed one or more people will be murdered.

. I agree.

 

[7_Sorrows]

That points up one of the difficulties of putting a murder mystery series in only one setting. Or having one character always involved in murder wherever s/he goes, doesn’t it? Still, if the stories are told well enough and the characters compelling enough, it seems a significant number of people are willing suspend their credulity to enjoy a well-done production, ala Murder She Wrote and Father Brown.

Yes we definitely have to suspend the believability of the coincidence of so many murders related to this one parish!

The thought had just crossed my mind so I wanted to share it.
I never really got into Murder She Wrote or many of the one our TV dramas although I did like Columbo!
Angela Lansbury had quite a career. My favorite role of hers is in Gaslight with Charles
Boyer and Ingrid Bergman. Very talented and a very long career!

 

[exnihilo]

That points up one of the difficulties of putting a murder mystery series in only one setting. Or having one character always involved in murder wherever s/he goes, doesn’t it? Still, if the stories are told well enough and the characters compelling enough, it seems a significant number of people are willing suspend their credulity to enjoy a well-done production, ala Murder She Wrote and Father Brown.

Yes, we do have to suspend disbelief. It is really no different from the books. Even in them Fr. Brown would have had more amazing encounters than most.

Angela Lansbury had quite a career. My favorite role of hers is in Gaslight with Charles
Boyer and Ingrid Bergman. Very talented and a very long career!

She was also a very beautiful young lady. I say that because I was first familiar with her on Murder She Wrote. I had in my mind a nice older woman more my grandmothers age. When I later saw her as a younger woman in older movies I was surprised.

 

[porthos11]

That points up one of the difficulties of putting a murder mystery series in only one setting. Or having one character always involved in murder wherever s/he goes, doesn’t it? Still, if the stories are told well enough and the characters compelling enough, it seems a significant number of people are willing suspend their credulity to enjoy a well-done production, ala Murder She Wrote and Father Brown.

In the case of Murder, She Wrote, there’s really only one conclusion you can draw.

Jessica Fletcher is a serial killer.

 

[7_Sorrows]

In the case of Murder, She Wrote, there’s really only one conclusion you can draw.

Jessica Fletcher is a serial killer.

 

[Della]

In the case of Murder, She Wrote, there’s really only one conclusion you can draw.

Jessica Fletcher is a serial killer.

Yes, the case could be made that she did them all herself. Especially since she was always the one who pointed out the “real killer,” she could have been covering up her crimes by supposedly “solving” them.

 

[tomarin]

Yes, the case could be made that she did them all herself. Especially since she was always the one who pointed out the “real killer,” she could have been covering up her crimes by supposedly “solving” them.

That would make for an amazing series finale reveal.

 

[tafan]

As to the Fr Brown TV show: I do not dislike the series, but it does not come close to capturing the essence of Chesterton’s Fr Brown. It is very disappointing in that respect. Chesterton’s stories have two key aspects, IMO 1) Fr Brown’s unparalleled grasp of the human being and 2) a lot of very subtle, often quite humorous, defense of the Catholic faith. The two points often go hand in hand. The latter is completely lacking from the TV series. The former is sort of attempted, but on a very inferior level. One gets the feeling the producers did not want to make Fr Brown quite so wise for fear of giving the catholic priesthood too much due.

 

[tafan]

Oh, but Chesterton’s stories are not overly religious, I would argue much less religious than the TV series. I don’t think any stories take place within a parish that Fr Brown is the pastor of. I don’t think there are Bishops ever involved in any of the stories. Certainly not parish employees.
That’s actually one of the problems with the series.

 

[7_Sorrows]

I am on Season 3 now. They really are addictive. I would like to ask someone from England what kind of accent Sid has?
I am enjoying the show more now and look forward to the interactions between Father
Brown and Mrs. McCarthy. Those two and Did are my favorite 3 characters.

 

[Della]

I am on Season 3 now. They really are addictive. I would like to ask someone from England what kind of accent Sid has?
I am enjoying the show more now and look forward to the interactions between Father
Brown and Mrs. McCarthy. Those two and Did are my favorite 3 characters.

I think I’m right in saying that Sid’s accent is Cockney. He came to the village as a war refuge, if I’m remembering his backstory rightly. Fr.B is always trying to rehabilitate him from his thieving ways, all the while utilizing them when needed.

I like the inner core characters and how they react to and with one another. The running tiff between Mrs.M and Lady Felicia is a fun element. I’m just not sure why the inspector hates Fr.B’s insights. No modern police force would push away such help. They do all they can to solve cases and will take information from anyone and everyone. To have the local inspector so against Fr.B’s help is nothing more than a literary device, but a trite one, IMHO, borrowed from other, better writers than they.

 

[7_Sorrows]

I think I’m right in saying that Sid’s accent is Cockney. He came to the village as a war refuge, if I’m remembering his backstory rightly. Fr.B is always trying to rehabilitate him from his thieving ways, all the while utilizing them when needed.

I like the inner core characters and how they react to and with one another. The running tiff between Mrs.M and Lady Felicia is a fun element. I’m just not sure why the inspector hates Fr.B’s insights. No modern police force would push away such help. They do all they can to solve cases and will take information from anyone and everyone. To have the local inspector so against Fr.B’s help is nothing more than a literary device, but a trite one, IMHO, borrowed from other, better writers than they.

Thank you Della for your reply. I was wondering if it was Cockney. I am no expert on
British accents so I don’t know if that is a particular area of London or England that the
Cockney accent is from. Thanks for a little more background on Sid too. He definitely has a mischievous look at times. However, I have seen Father Brown gain access to drawers and boxes using his thieving ways too! Lol!
For Inspectors Valentine and Sullivan I think they get aggravated that arriving on every
crime scene, Father Brown is already there or soon arrives!

 

[exnihilo]

I am on Season 3 now. They really are addictive. I would like to ask someone from England what kind of accent Sid has?
I am enjoying the show more now and look forward to the interactions between Father
Brown and Mrs. McCarthy. Those two and Did are my favorite 3 characters.

I agree the core characters are fun and interact well together. I’m just about at the end of season three myself. I’m trying to pace myself but it is hard to.

No modern police force would push away such help. They do all they can to solve cases and will take information from anyone and everyone. To have the local inspector so against Fr.B’s help is nothing more than a literary device, but a trite one, IMHO, borrowed from other, better writers than they.

I don’t know that I’d agree. Most police forces try primarily to close cases which is not the same as solving them. This is just human nature. And I know in the US local police and sheriffs would often be aggravated when federal law enforcement showed up. They could often be uncooperative. This may have changed very recently, but back in the time when Fr. Brown is set I think it would have been very common. Again I see this as consistent with human nature.

When we see Fr. Brown solving so many crimes we might tend to think the local police would welcome the help. But I could also imagine them for various very human reasons not appreciating or welcoming him. It does get a bit repetitive. But as we discussed you also have the issue of the number of outrageous murders Fr. Brown is around. In both cases we have to not overthink it. Binge watching doesn’t help us to ignore this. But that hasn’t stopped me.

 

[Della]

I agree the core characters are fun and interact well together. I’m just about at the end of season three myself. I’m trying to pace myself but it is hard to.

It’s the same for my dh and I, although we are on the last season. You’ve got some good stories yet to watch.

I don’t know that I’d agree. Most police forces try primarily to close cases which is not the same as solving them. This is just human nature. And I know in the US local police and sheriffs would often be aggravated when federal law enforcement showed up. They could often be uncooperative. This may have changed very recently, but back in the time when Fr. Brown is set I think it would have been very common. Again I see this as consistent with human nature.

Since 9-11 local police, state, and federal agents have been working more closely together, sharing info and setting up national databases all law enforcement can use. It wasn’t like that in the time period in which the Fr.B series is set, that’s for sure. Still, as you cited, local police do like to keep things at home as much as possible unless the case involves the need for outside help.

When we see Fr. Brown solving so many crimes we might tend to think the local police would welcome the help. But I could also imagine them for various very human reasons not appreciating or welcoming him. It does get a bit repetitive. But as we discussed you also have the issue of the number of outrageous murders Fr. Brown is around. In both cases we have to not overthink it. Binge watching doesn’t help us to ignore this. But that hasn’t stopped me.

I see your point. It would be annoying to the police to have the same person pop up at nearly every crime scene. Makes me wonder when Fr.B. gets the time to do his parish work. Still, as you cited, it’s a series in which the main character solves crimes, not reality. Watching the stories one after another does give a very different perspective from seeing them once a week. :yup: