The BBC's Victorian period drama with young Alan Rickman that fans say is a 'masterpiece'

A classic BBC period drama mini-series starring a young Alan Rickman is still hailed by fans, with one describing it as "wonderful". The Barchester Chronicles hit the small screen in 1982, and is an adaptation of celebrated British novelist Anthony Trollope's first two Chronicles of Barsetshire, The Warden (1855) and Barchester Towers (1857).

Told over seven episodes and set in the fictional town of Barchester in Victorian times, and sees the established powers at Barchester's cathedral rocked by scrutiny of its finances and governance. The bishop, reverend Francis Grantly, dies as the controversy is unfolding, and a crusade of "reform" is led by Chaplain Obadiah Slope (played by Rickman), and the wife of the new bishop, Mrs Proudie.

But their drive to challenge time-honoured practices doesn't go down well with the diocese. One fan took to IMDb to shower the series with praise, writing: "The dialogue of this adaptation is excellent. A young Alan Rickman superbly plays the conniving Reverend Obadiah Slope, echoing his later tour de force performance as Professor Snape in the Harry Potter movies."

"Enjoyable, like a Shakespearean comedy, leaving the viewer well satisfied."

Another said the first two hours of the series "are on the slow side, to be sure". "However, once the new Bishop and his entourage arrive on the scene, there is nonstop action and amusement for another five episodes," they added.

"If you have never read Trollope, this production will send you to the library!"

A third wrote: "One runs out of superlatives to describe this flawless representation of Trollope's masterpieces of ecclesiastical fiction.

"Against the sumptuous background of Peterborough Cathedral and its environs, one is carried into Trollope's world of the intriguing machinations of the clerical establishment of Barchester.

"Backed by the authenticity of the period detail, the portrayal of all the characters accurately conveys the whole range of human emotions within the stories, without a weak link amongst the members of the cast," they added.

A fourth said the "production design, scenery, directing and music combine to produce a wonderful mini-series that, despite its 10-hour, 8-part length, is riveting and entertaining".

"It is also very funny as well as trenchant in its dissecting the hypocrisies of its time," recommending it to "all who appreciate great Victorian literature".

The Barchester Chronicles doesn't appear to be available on major streaming services at the moment. However, you can get the series on DVD on sites like Amazon and HMV.