The Pallisers

Dramatised for BBC2 in 1974, The Pallisers was one of the most ambitious TV adaptations ever underaken. Covering six books, spanning 20 years and with a supberb cast, The Pallisers took 13 months to film, and the result is a true epic.

The production

It took 13 months to film 26 episodes, against a background of powercuts and industrial unrest.

The cast

The Pallisers had a huge cast, including Susan Hampshire,  Anna Massey and Anna Carteret as well as rising stars such as Jeremy Irons and Anthony Andrews.

Episodes 1-6

The story of Alice Vavassor's wavering between two men; Glencora's love for reprobate Burgo Fitzgerald and her forced marriage to the austere Plantagenet Palliser.

Episodes 7-12

Phineas Finn begins his political career and falls in love first with Lady Laura Kennedy, then Violet Effingham. Madame Max is courted by the Duke of Omnium in the first political novel of the Palliser series.

Episodes 13-19

The Eustace Diamonds are stolen, and Lizzie Eustace is at the centre of a society scandal. The old Duke dies and Plantagenet and Glencora become the Duke and Duchess of Omnium. Phineas Finn is accused of murder, and Madame Max travels to Prague to find the evidence to prove his innocene.

Episodes 20-26

Plantagenet Palliser reaches the pinnacle of his career and becomes Prime Minister. Lady Glencora attempts to support him with lavish entertainments but only succeeds in exacerbating his difficulties. The saga is bought to it's conclusion with the death of Glencora, and the story of the marriages of the children.