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Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: VHS Tape
EAN: 9781569382752
Format: Box set, Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
ISBN: 1569382751
Label: Acorn Media
Manufacturer: Acorn Media
Number Of Items: 3
Publisher: Acorn Media
Release Date: September 11, 1999
Running Time: 225 minutes
Sales Rank: 18025
Studio: Acorn Media
Theatrical Release Date: January 12, 1995
Editorial Review:
Amazon.com:
The Pilgrim of Hate
Brother Cadfael, the Sherlock Holmes of the medieval world, discovers a corpse among the parade of the infirm and diseased taking refuge in the abbey on 'Cripples Day.' Thieves and con men ply their trades among the pilgrims so there is no shortage of suspects, but a few personalities leap from the crowd, namely a bitter young man accompanied by his pickpocket sister and a dying pilgrim making the trek barefoot while his pious brother pushes him along. The struggle between faith and dogma that rings through all of the Cadfael mysteries takes center stage in this story. The piety of the more judgmental Brothers of the Order comes across as hypocritical in their dealings with the unwashed peasants (who are, much to the monks' dismay, detained within the abbey walls during the investigation), but even their intolerance pales next to Cadfael's terrible discovery in the murder.
The Potter's Field
The brothers of the Shrewsbury monastery are doing some innocent backyard plowing when they turn up a murder victim's corpse--perhaps that of the former wife of their own Brother Ruald. Shrewsbury boils with rumors and accusations as a civil war devastates the countryside. The Potter's Field is a terrific mystery, filled with compelling human drama as well as a knotty riddle with a shocking solution. The production has an authentic feel, showing both the practicalities and the squalor of medieval life, and the direction artfully enhances the story. The acting is excellent across the board, with Jacobi's surehanded embodiment of Cadfael leading the way. This is an excellent, satisfying mystery.
The Holy Thief
Suspicion falls on the holy, the holier-than-thou, and the unholy when the sacred relics of Saint Winifred are stolen from the abbey and the pious prior of a fallen monastery and a greedy land baron both lay claim to them. Kidnapping, the jewel robbery, and murder only complicate the efforts of Brother Cadfael to separate holy miracle from worldly conspiracy. Derek Jacobi fills Brother Cadfael with a warmth to match his logic and a passion for justice that stands in contrast to the often fatal superstition of his world (trial by water as binding law). This episode is one of the darkest and most interesting entries in the series. --Sean Axmaker
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - so good to watch
I had seen this series on PBS years ago, found it by accident on a web site, and have now purchased all of the series and show it to all of my friends when they come over.
Rating: - Sir Derek and the Chronicles of a Truly Rare Benedictine.
When the decision was made to produce for TV several episodes from her mystery series about Brother Cadfael, that 12th century crusader turned monk turned detective who has been, ever since his creation, one of the most compassionate and unusual sleuths of literary history, novelist Ellis Peters (Edith Pargeter) was not entirely happy. In fact, as the series' star, Sir Derek Jacobi, explains in the extra footage provided on the now-released DVDs, Ms. Peters had very mixed feelings about giving up ... Read More
Rating: - I love these stories!
I had never read the books or of this series when I bought the videos. Maybe because of this I really enjoyed the videos. I am a fan of Sir Derek Jacobi too as I have seen him in one other program and loved his acting. He seems to be perfect in this role. If you want a unique take on detective work, these can't be beat.
Rating:  - Not for Brother Cadfael fans
This set raises the question: why adapt a popular author's work and make so little effort to capture the spirit of her writing. If the writers/directors/producers don't like Ellis Peters' stories, why don't they create independent works and let them stand on their own? All this does is trick Peters's fans into buying something that will probably disappoint them and make it difficult for someone who actually likes the Cadfael stories to do a good video version of them. These don't have anything ... Read More
Rating: - Brother Cadfael, Set 4
The Pilgrim of Hate
Your prayers are enough
Once again many things are not what they seem and it is up to Brother Cadfael to bring then to light. If you do not compare to the book it is a good film and well balanced. (Do not forget that the first two chapters of the book are revealed in detail in "A Morbid Taste for Bones" and "One Corpse Too Many")This story takes place years later.
From the back cover:
Cripples Day at Shrewsbury brings a hoard of disabled pilgrims ... Read More
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