Mr. Palfrey of Westminster [DVD] [1984]

I disagree with those who say this series is unconvincing, or is just second-rate Smiley. Comparisons with Smiley are inevitable but why do we need another Le Carre? The writing, here, is very good and the acting is first-class, especially that of Alec McCowen and Caroline Blakiston. There are, indeed, no guns, gadgets or car-chases, nor any 'action', as such, at all, because that's not what this is all about. The subtle interplay between characters, especially Palfrey and 'Gloriana' (a.k.a. the Co-ordinator) is a joy to watch and listen to. I would suggest that 'subtle' is, in fact, the key word, here. This is TV Civil Servants at their best - lighter than Smiley but none the worse for that. There are only 3 discs - 2 series - and once I reached the last disc, I deliberately slowed down, putting off the moment when I would have no further episodes to watch.

There can be few contemporary fictions, in whatever media, that present the serious option of a cold-blooded simultaneous murder of a spy and disposal of the body as coldly as “Return to Sender”, an episode in Thames Television’s counter-espionage series, “Mr. Palfrey of Westminster” (1983-85). The shock may be something to do with the lack of on-screen violence; the buttoned-up dialogue or dialogue that uses clichés to get through an emotionally difficult scene; the stark sets, even when a room may be quite luxurious; and, apart from the haunting theme tune, the complete absence of mood music set against realistic or clunky sound-effects (it is difficult to decide which it is). But “Mr Palfrey of Westminster” is a cold world with little that passes for friendship, however polite and restrained the relations between people are in all of the episodes.Alec McCowen plays the polite, precise, carefully dressed but very determined Mr Palfrey who knows his way round Whitehall and conducts most of his interrogations by calling on suspects. A traitor in the intelligence services refers to Mr Palfrey as “a mild little man”, before correcting himself: he’s “the grand inquisitor”. The plots are variations upon the restricted scenarios of Cold War espionage: defection; a mole in the service; double agents; bureaucracy in its muted but still sinister aspects; the threat of public exposure; establishment cover-ups, and so on. These are portrayed in a downbeat almost domestic style. Even melodramatic figures – for example, Leslie Phillips as Styles, some amalgam of Burgess and MacLean, plus other attributes of the Cambridge Spies – are pursued in sitting rooms and showdowns are anti-climactic. Blair (Clive Wood) is at the sharper end of the counter-espionage practised by Mr Palfrey but even Blair is downbeat and dowdy. There is affluence, verging on excess in the person and office of the Coordinator (Caroline Blakiston as Palfrey’s Thatcher-like boss), and there are occasional scenes in Palfrey’s club but the overall tone of the episodes keeps them far removed from the James Bond films. For some viewers, now, the presentation or mise-en-scene may seem amateurish and penny-pinching: mostly interior scenes or close-up scenes outside, often on park-benches in central London. But after watching a few episodes, there is a realism to the series. It is in colour but seems like black-and-white.

The five stars for the series itself, audio is what it is.What an example this series is how it works like magic when you choose the right actor to play the leading role!You can really witness the long theatre background in every word McGowen lets out of his mouth as he plays the role to perfection.Actually the acting is pretty strong throughout the line, no weak links there.Few of the scripts are pretty basic spy-stuff, but still twisted enough to keep you on the grip.I felt that the female boss came a bit too early to the show,a few more episodes without her presence would have made the trick for me...anyway, great espionage-entertainment and if you liked The Sandbaggers,you`ll probably like this one too.

This was a spy series which never really took off. The main problem was that it was probably more real to life than the other hit shows of the 80s. Mr Palfrey appears to be a dreary civil servant located in a dingy little office tucked away behind Whitehall. He has access to a temporary secretary for only three days of the week. What raises the show above its contemporaries is the first class acting of Alec McCowen who plays Palfrey and Caroline Blakiston who plays his boss known only as The Administrator. Their battle of wills and verbal jousts are well scripted as the Administrator tries to bully Palfrey before switching tactics and using her seductive smile and charm to bend him to her will. However Mr Palfrey always proves to be too slippery and ahead of her in the spying game and comes out on top. They are supported by Clive Wood who plays the sinister agent just called Blair who does all Palfrey's dirty work.Catching traitors and spies can be long, sometimes tedious with long hours of boring surveillance which this show manages to put across. There is very little action and any violence is always off-screen. The show only lasted for one series despite the superb acting and realistic scripts, which were maybe just too true to real life.

Good quality, cerebral espionage drama

Mr Palfrey is a very British spy. He works in an office, drinks tea, loves music, and appears to be a rather clever but solid British citizen. No fancy car, no gadgets, no flashy stunts. Yet he observes, correctly interprets, stays abreast of goings on and is usually a step or two ahead of everyone else as events unfold. He is not averse to violence but prefers reasonable, civilized behavior and solutions. Believing that there are people like him in the foreign affairs and spy business gives one hope that eventually we may all be able to get along - but if not, we've got the ace on our side.

I had searched for this enjoyable series... off and on, for years... since I first watched the entire selection on PBS. I am thrilled to see it out on DVD.. and purchased the set , immediately. The story lines & plots , are intricate and interesting... with intrigue , humor and some action , without too much violence ( or nasty language). A fantastic series... which is so well presented... with amazing acting !

Masterful ! However this is not quite the complete series. Refer to another editionthat includes the pilot episode 'The Traitor' and related seqel featuring Palfrey'spersuader, Blair.

A well acted series, more on the line of LaCarre's Smiley stories. Great cast.A number of reviewers have commented on the DVD transfer. Yes there are some visual defects, but they in no way distract from the story. After all, this is not a visual sci-fi movie. Considering this was made over 30 years ago, I find the transfer more than acceptable.I know that my husband and I will watch again.

First rate