Rumpole of the Bailey: The Complete Series

I can not say enough how much I not just loved but adored this series. I always liked Rumpole but, it first came on PBS while I was still young so I did not see most of the awesome subplots going on in Chambers. I love Rumpole because while it has sex, limited violence some rare frontal female nudity and so much more none of it is ever done in purely vulgar bad taste.Its not all about Rumpole even if he is the star. His fellowed learned gentlemen baristers in Chambers are all equally vivid odd characters in their own right. Number 3 Equity Court is a place alive with all manner of intriques. Its not Law and Order or The Practice but in its own way many weighty legal elements are thoughtfully explored.There is a thread of wry humor running throughout the series. I suspect the deep love and affection between man and wife has never been more realistically portrayed on TV in my opinion than when Rumpole's relationship with She Who Must Be Obeyed, Hilda Rumpole steps in scene. I lovef that Hilda was not a gushing fool or empty headed. Hilda was a strong often severe woman who dearly loved and supported her husband Horrace Rumpole but was clever enough to never let him take her love for granted. Hilda was one smart sista who could have been a great barister in her own right but she opted to be the power behind a great man and that she was and more.Horace Rumpole was what we in the United States would call a Public Defender, the lawyer you get by default if you enter the criminal legal system without means to pay for a private criminal law attorney. Rumpole had a passion for the job of defending his criminal clients and had a great record of getting them off scott free. The judges were all larger than life old darlings who seemed to enjoy tossing people into the nick. (prison).The British legal system while sort of like ours in the United States it is quite different in how things are done. If you plan to enjoy everything in Rumpole it is best to raed up on british courts and the way law is practiced. Really you only need to know a few things. A solicitor in British Law is like a basic laywer om the USA. The Solicitor gathers the basic facts of the case and prepares a basic plan of attack in proving the innocence of person in the dock. A barrister is a lawyer with special standing that allows him \ her to actually work in conjunction with the Judge and the solicitor to a just end. thats how things are supposed to work in theory but Judges tend to be convervative hence they get the prosecution a wee bit of help only just.Judges are called "Your Lordship or Your Ladyship". In Rumpole you will hear a lot of talk about QC's Queens Council's or as Rumpole calls them Queer Customers. QC's are sort of like super Barasters who sort of have the queens blessing to do her business in the name of justic in British Courts. The Old Bailey refers to the Old Central London Courts Complex with its old gray building and distinctive high domed roof located on Baliey Street hence its name. The old Bill are slang terms for Police Officers.The DVD sort of helps you understand each episode and the odd aspects of British law if you listen to the authors set up segments that come before each program starts. Rumpole is in a class by himself, for this is light comedy, drama, legal theme show and commentary all in one. I would suggest that you buy the Rumpole play on a seperate DVD that inspired the Rumpole series. Also another must BUY is the following book: Rumpole and the Penge Bungalow Murders. This was indeed Horace Rumpoles first finist hour when he proved his client not guilty of capital murder of two war heros one his own dad. Rumpole was but a junior white wig barrister with hardly a year of real life law experience under his belt at the time. It was during these heady times that he fell into the loving embrace of his soon to be good lady wife Hilda. Rumpole did hardly realized he had fell into Hilda's web but Hild a strong willed woman who once saw what she wanted she was not stopped. Hilda felt she could make something of her Rumpole and she did. Rumpole never became a QC or a circut (circus judge) but he stood for the best in law that all should be represented in court by an aggressive barrister who believed in their clients innocence. Rumpole a self described old Baliey hack was a soldier in the army of good that gives to all acused a fair chance before the law.I enjoyed Rumpole and if you buy the whole set you will also enjoy Horrace Rumpole anytime you want.

I first encountered the fascinating Rumpole Series quite by accident---my own lawyer, Otto, was a huge fan when the series played on PBS originally in the 1980s. He got me started on it. While I did enjoy the occassional episode I saw while visiting him at his home, I confess I never really understood the show all that much. You know, British law---it seems a bit odd to an American, I admit. And I swear, if you blink or step out for a snack--you will miss quite a bit of what's going on. So, do try to focus when watching, it really helps with the show's subtleties and distinctive British colloquialisms. But I now know what I was missing: simply the best written and performed legal drama of the last century---bar none. Not even the late, great Charles Laughton, in--Witness for the Prosecution--could hold a candle to Leo McKern when he's on one of his thunderous rolls before the bench of justice.Now the deal you get here for your money is actually a good one: All the original episodes--but one--the Lost Episode--is included. And while I think the quality of the production was fairly good for the period---please remember we're talking British Television of some 20-30 years ago---it was a taped show...Thank God for the digital revolution.....Just think: those original tapes might have mouldered away by now if they hadn't been digitized and preserved.The scripts and plots do appear as relevant today as they ever were. There may be mild language issues and a bit of tasteful nudity included which might offend some households--but you know who you are.Horace Rumpole is a truly original character and John Mortimer was an extremely clever writer who appears to have cooked up the perfect role for Leo McKern. He's an old avuncular kind of guy who has lent enormous dignity to every role he's played.While I might criticize the lack of foreign language options--it's english or nothing, folks--but to me, the deal is still a good one. The boxed set is attractive enough on a shelf. The disks were totally without defects and play well enough. The cast is first rate--Patricia Hodge, Peter Bowles, and Jonathan Coy all shine in their performances as well. And Abigail McKern--Leo's own daughter, also acquits herself nicely a bit later in the show as Rumpole's feisty and formidable junior lawyer. All in all, it was a wonderful assemblege of talent that had rare chemistry on the T.V. screen. John Mortimer, the author, was gracious enough to introduce each episode with a brief outline where he offers a few charming insights into the filming of the show.But I have to tell you it's gratifying simply to have such a large body of Leo Mckern's work available at all. You know, I've looked for copies of some of his early work---for example, his first starring film role---Travelling North--without much success--unless you care for VHS cassettes. Leo seemed to prefer the stage to Television or even movies....His film work almost exclusively casts him in much smaller, though important supporting roles. The Shoes of the Fisherman being my favorite although he also did a very poigniant documentary on the Battle of the Somme--in 1976--if you care to catch a glimpse of old Leo without his stock makeup. But it is a remarkably short series--sadly, only 44 episodes....Fact is, if you had a chance to see Leo Mckern live onstage, you can count yourself blessed. Because much of his best work apparently was unrecorded as it was in live theater productions--so all we have is the choice bits of film work that he did consent to perform with which to remember the man by.Not that he didn't perform his few film roles flawlessly, it's just that you'd think Hollywood would have taken adavantage of his potential a bit more than they did. And let's not forget this is a man who suffered from terrible stagefright. It's a wonder he ever went into the profession---given that he was scaring and stressing himself half to death--while delighting his fans---with each and every performance.So, here's to you, Leo. We clearly took you for granted for far too many years....We all regret that now, I assure you. But we thoroughly enjoyed every minute of your onscreen performances whenever you did manage to pop up....And you will be sorely missed, you dear old Bailey Hack. But thanks, at least,for leaving us this smigeon of great performance art to remember you by. I would recommend this collection as a gift to anyone who cherishes short, fat, balding, cigar-chomping men who so audaciously and eloquently defend the rights of common people everywhere--armed only with their wits, a crumpled hat, and their ever trusty umbrella.Will there ever be another actor like Leo Mckern? Not likely, old darlings. Not in our lifetimes....Which in my view is reason enough to add this unique series to your own fine film collection.

I’ve never seen this, but I like the actors, and I’m into classic television. This was a popular series from 1978-1992, with a banister that dosnt quit till he wins

I have always been a fan of Leo McKern's Rumpole since he first graced the TV screen many moons ago. I bought the complete DVD collection when it first came out in the US and enjoyed the episodes all over again. However, as the years went by my hearing began to fail and I was dismayed that the US set of Rumpoles I'd bought had neither closed captions nor subtitles. Then I learned the collection sold in the UK was SDH friendly and had English subtitles. Only problem is they're Region 2 and most US DVD players including mine are Region 1 and could not play them. All that changed when my player packed up and I replaced it with a Sony multi-region unit. When this reasonably priced set of UK Rumpoles made its appearance on Amazon I made sure to order a set. Shipping was a mere $3.99. The vendor in England warned me they were Region 2. I told them my story and the set was duly put in the mail. Every episode that was on the US collected 14 DVD edition is included plus an additional disc with a feature-length story, "Rumpole's Return". The English subtitles are actually a bonus for viewers with good hearing because they print out Rumpole's sotto voce comments as well in a large easy to read font. It should be noted that the US DVD individual episode introductions by John Mortimer are not included on the UK DVDs. But that's a small price to pay in exchange for the tremendous bonus of the subtitles. My English upbringing prompts me to conclude this review with the words Jolly Good Show!

Rumpole of the Bailey will be familiar to all of us who lived through the 1970s and 80s. Leo McKern is the (even then) politically incorrect Horace Rumpole and playing the character to the hilt, simply brilliant and totally believable, despite being outright fiction. Or is it?All seven ITV seasons of six episodes are included in this collection, and it includes the feature length ‘Rumpole’s Return’ made between season 2 and 3. All that is missing is the BBC original Play for Today pilot.The mono sound is good enough on our excellent sound system, and has survived very well.The 4:3 625 line PAL standard definition image quality is generally good enough, especially on the video sourced elements, but I was disappointed to see the majority of film inserts are covered with dirt speckles both pos and neg. Clearly this is a simple transfer from basic archive with no restoration attempts at dirt concealment or even film cleaning when it was created.However, I can live with the film defects because the subtle touches, clever direction, excellent acting, well drawn characters, ingenious stories and gentle humour shine above any technical blemishes.I wish more modern TV was as good to watch as this.

The sort of classic drama you couldn’t possibly imagine being made today. I must admit I hadn’t realised it had lasted so long, but it seems both firmly rooted in its time and curiously timeless. If Leo McKern had never done anything else, his portrayal of the lovable, wily old scourge of the Bailey, who still quakes at the thought of “she who must be obeyed”, would assure his status as a national treasure. There is gentle humour, pathos, irony and a complete lack of sensation here; and if I were in a spot I’d rather have Rumpole representing me than any flashy L.A. LAW type. If you prefer your legal eagle slow-cooked rather than microwaved, this is for you.

It goes without saying that the content of the discs is fantastic. I have been a Rumpole fanatic from the start. The price I paid for this was great and it represents really good value. I have knocked a star off because of the packaging. When mine arrived I thought some discs were missing. The discs are stacked 2 on a spool and are not the easiest to remove. The internal layout leaves something to be desired. The disc content information is difficult to view being on the back of the cover insert. All that said it remains something of a bargain and will provide hours of top class entertainment.

I knew what to expect when I bought this complete boxed set, having watched the current airing on freeview and remembering the original broadcasts. This is a first rate comedy drama with strong characters from John Mortimer's books. Leo McKern is the most perfect 'Rumpole' An enjoyable romp that does not dwell too much on Courtroom procedures and gives a pleasurable account of 'Rumpole's' private life. Included here are all seven series plus a feature length special. Simply a joy to own!

One of the greater pleasures of my so-called life is reacquainting myself with the TV shows that one had grown up to in the past. Whilst I’ve had my disappointments in doing so, certainly, I’ve nonetheless learned that it’s a very special pleasure in my life when I see a show that largely sailed over my head at the time but I liked it (well, I was a kid!), and then seeing it again later when I was ‘grown up’ and supposedly much wiser that I learned the show in question was not only still terrific but it was even better than I remembered!!!Such is the case with RUMPOLE OF THE BAILEY, which I had seen on their initial showings and I liked them back in the day but, being a callow youth growing up badly at the time, the finer points of the writing were lost on me. But, now all grown up, I readily see it as a masterpiece on many levels, not least the supreme writing of Sir John Mortimer being one such, which masterfully mixed drama and humour to hugely impressive effect – in fact, I think it’s funnier than about 90% of today’s sitcoms. Seeing it now, I’m in awe of how good it is: the humour and the drama act as one here, and don’t get in the way of each other as they frequently do elsewhere, and I can’t overstate how brilliant that is!Helping put it across was the peerless Leo McKern, who was born – nay, destined! – to play Horace Rumpole. In his hands, Rumpole is amazingly multifaceted; imperious, paternal, jocular, contemptuous, put upon…, like the writing, Maestro McKern’s bravura performance works brilliantly on all these levels and is captivating with it. But the added bonus is that the rest of the cast makes it mark too, including Peggy Thorpe-Bates and (later) Marion Mathie as the aspirant yet formidable Hilda Rumpole, who takes no crap from him, Peter Bowles and Peter Blythe as successive Heads of Chamber that Rumpole holds in varying degrees of contempt, Julian Curry as hapless colleague Claude Erskine-Brown and the great Patricia Hodge as his student and future wife Phyllida AKA Portia, who eventually outclasses Claude in every way – and almost becomes another Hilda to Rumpole on occasion!So what’s with the ‘BUT’ at the start of this review? Well, I’m perturbed to report that such a supreme piece of TV entertainment is contained in a fiddly and awkward package that threatens scratches and warped discs galore each time I use it, with the added bonus of discs catching in between the hinged disc holders, making it hard to shut without some shoogling. For a series like ROTB, this is beyond poor and really lessens the overall experience. I didn’t buy this to be one and done, rather I expect to return to the series as and when the craving arises, but this packaging acts as an impediment to this, hence the ‘BUT’ (and the rating I give it) – it’s a five-star TV show, but stored in a one-star pack. Rumpole deserves far better than that!