User Reviews

Looking at RUMPOLE OF THE BAILEY almost two decades after its first broadcast, one is struck by its old-fashioned nature. Shot on videotape, with the focus mostly on close-ups and two-shots, the plot unfolds at a slow, almost stately pace, allowing viewers to appreciate John Mortimer's sparkling dialog. The series ran for thirteen years on television, not to mention the radio version (which was still running as late as 2008). Apart from McKern's iconic central performance, the series benefited from a clutch of memorable supporting actors - Peter Blythe, Patricia Hodge, Peter Bowles, Julian Curry, Richard Murdoch and Abigail McKern. In this particular episode, a union member (Bryan Pringle) is wrongfully accused of murder. Needless to say Rumpole manages to acquit him, while outwitting a variety of other adversaries, including Erskine-Brown (Curry) and Guthrie Featherstone (Bowles). There's also a well-constructed subplot involving She Who Must Be Obeyed (Marian Mathie) following the example of other professions and going on strike. As with most Rumpole episodes, the denouement is both satisfying and right.

Everybody is on strike action.

Mr Justice Featherstone and his brother judges as they might be overtaken with the judiciary coming from the ranks of solicitors.

Henry the chief clerk at the chambers. Unhappy that Ballard and Claude Erskine-Brown want to modernise the chambers along more business lines. He would now be on a wage and not on the percentage of the barrister's fees.

Even 'She who must be obeyed' has refused to cook for Rumpole, who spends long hours in the pub doing business.

Rumpole finds himself defending a staunch trade unionist. Ben Baker works for a coach firm and the workers are involved in a pay dispute. The owner has bought in scab workers.

When the driver crosses the picket line, a brick is thrown that kills him. Ben Baker is accused of homicide.

Mr Justice Featherstone is determined that Rumpole does not get up to his old tricks during the trial and get a manslaughter verdict. Rumpole discovers that the coach firm owner played some tricks of his own.

An episode that deals with the changing legal system. These days Barristers Chambers have had to modernise a lot. A third of judges are now Solicitors. Mr Bernard the instructing solicitor even does his own advocacy in the committal proceedings.

It was a bit much to take that everyone were on strike action. I guess the humour balances the serious issue of a man killed on the picket line.

I did like Miss Probert flirting with Claude to get him to change his mind regarding the modernisation. She had to go to the opera though.