Decline and Fall (2017) User Reviews (18)

Great adaptation of a classic novel

[hfhfdfse · 7/10 · 4 April 2017]

DECLINE AND FALL is a three-part series based on the novel of the same title by Evelyn Waugh. Perhaps you read his masterpiece Brideshead Revisited but at the tender age of 25 he produced a comic novel Decline and Fall partly based on his teaching experience. The principal character is Paul Pennyfeather who is sent down from Oxford for indecent behaviour and goes on a series of strange adventures including obtaining a teaching position at a chaotic school and an engagement to high society beauty. Waugh's novel is generally considered to be a high-society satire exploring the topics of elitism, racism and xenophobia. Although sometimes the point might be difficult to get and some people say that the novel written in 1928 is not relevant at all (but some say the story is still relevant and has many links to today's society) the story retains its universal appeal due to flamboyant characters whose eccentricity borders on insanity. Dr. Fagan who runs the school is afraid of his students, despises his daughter Florence (because she is fat and good-hearted) and adores his daughter Diane (because she is butchy and bitchy). Some of the teachers are literally crazy and some are miserable. The very first episode contains a brilliant line:

We class schools into four grades - leading schools, first-rate schools, good schools and schools.

Dare not to say that it does not ring any bells with you! The cast is great. Paul is played by Jack Whitehall, he is a popular stand-up comedian and you could see him in a hilarious sitcom Bad Education. Legendary David Suchet is Dr. Fagan and high-society beauty is portrayed by luminous Eva Longoria. All in all the series is well made, funny and boasts solid budget with some of the scenes having been filmed in the real medieval castle.

a three-part BBC adaptation of Evelyn Waugh's first published novel.

[AlsExGal · 7/10 · 8 January 2023]

The main stars are Jack Whitehall, Eva Longoria, David Suchet, Douglas Hodge, and Stephen Graham, but there is a fine supporting cast as well.

Decline and Fall opens at an Oxford College on an evening in 1928. Two elderly porters are quietly sipping their port in front of a fireplace. The two are played, as if in homage to two great British series of the past, by Tim Piggot-Smith (in one of his last roles); and Nickolas Grace, who played Anthony Blanche in Brideshead Revisited. There is suddenly a commotion overhead. Aristocratic students, members of the Bullingdon Club, are destroying a room and college property. They spill out onto the street. A hapless theology student, Paul Pennyfeather, passes by and is attacked and stripped by the rowdy group. He rushes, naked, back to his digs, but is thrown out of Oxford for running through the college nude.

The rest of the three-hour series deals with Paul's adventures after he leaves Oxford. I highly recommend it.

Tim Pigott-Smith

[jwb-4 · 7/10 · 7 May 2017]

This must have been one of the last performances of TPS. Surprised this was not acknowledged in the credits. A great loss of a great actor. First came to my attention in the wonderful adaptation of Paul Scott's "Jewel in the Crown" novels. Admired for many roles since. I had tickets to see him in Northampton this April which sadly had to be returned. Condolences to friends and family.

The most outrageously ridiculous Mini-series ever!

[MovieIQTest · 14 October 2018]

This is perhaps the most pretentious and outrageous farce in British style. I think the British simply mistake and fail to distinguish the thin line between comedy and farce, and of course, this is the ultimate farce that I've ever watched. Every thing and every moment in this series were just so over the top ridiculed and exaggerated. If this is what we called "The English Humor", then don't bother. Even it's only three episodes, with so many cast and manpower involved, the production fund and budget were simply moronically wasted. I felt myself so stupid when I watched the first episode and decided to jump out of the plane by my own will; I'd rather crash down to earth instead.

The Unlucky Life Of Mr Pennyfather

[t-d-t-m82 · 7/10 · 21 February 2024]

Mr Paul Pennyfather is an educated and accomplished fellow who starts off his career at Oxford but doesn't last long due to the students' bullying and a rigid structure which he struggles to adapt to.

He realises he is not ready for Oxford and gets transferred to a private school on request. There he falls in love with one of the pupil's parents and his life really changes.

It's got a lot of sharp twists and good old-fashioned narrative drama with some superb acting especially the brilliant Stephen Graham as Philbrick; Douglas Hodge as Grimes; David Suchet as Dr. Fagan and Eva Logoria playing the love interest who is Margot Beste-Chetwynde!

The drama has a lot of twists and turns and our Paul really does end up in so many different spots of bother! It's hard to review without giving the story away as so much of it is based on narrative but it is a great show and a thoroughly enjoyable although not too realistic period piece!

A strong 7/10.

Wonderful

[momashton · 10/10 · 9 April 2017]

This is the best program l have seen in as long as l can remember. I laugh with tears rolling down my face from beginning to end. Every cast member it totally delightful and the casting is phenomenal. The writers excelled themselves and the wit and humour is unsurpassable. I look forward to every episode and record it so that l can watch it over and over. I'm 70 years old and have seen some funny things in my time but this takes the prize. OK , it may be a bit over the top , it all adds up to an absolutely glorious , enjoyable time. It's just cracking TV !!! I love every minute of it. David Suchet lets Jack Whitehall take top place in cast listings, an actor of his experience and calibrate allowing that shows what a great man he is. Please keep me laughing ? I'm so physically poorly and this programme is better than any medicine , it makes me feel better , it takes me out of myself into an incredible world of top class fun , humour, remarkable wit, expression, warmth and gaiety that it merits top prize in the comedy awards !!!! Just thinking of it now makes me smile. I can't single out any one actor/ actress better than the other because they are all marvellous. Although Jack Whitehall has surprised me in his acting role and excelled himself, l've seen him in comedy panel shows and always thought he was funny . I would have liked to have seen his Dad in this too. Well done all. Your Fantastic. Thankyou for making me laugh so much.

Brilliant

[johnpgrumbles · 10/10 · 8 April 2017]

Anyone saying this series is poor needs a good whacking. I laughed through the whole bit and was very entertained. If you read a bit of history and study the schools of the time, 1920's, the series reflects the true history of UK education. This was very enjoyable and I look forwards to more from this capable group of producers.

Very earnest and responsible version of Waugh

[Laight · 5/10 · 30 March 2022]

But earnest and responsible aren't words that should be in the same sentence as Waugh. What makes his works so great are his ability to create humor out of surreal situations, always told in a straightforward tone as though these incidents were perfectly normal. This three-parter tries very hard to recapitulate that tone but it just isn't there; you can almost sense the laborious effort behind the scenes, and that's a shame. Still, it's always good to see Grimes and Philband and Prendergast and all the others; in fact, it's these minor characters who come closest to pulling off the show.

Fun, Funny, Sexy, and Nostalgic

[silasjnash · 10/10 · 12 June 2021]

A must-see for any fans of Jack Whitehall, Eva Longoria, and Stephen Graham. My only complaint is it's only three episodes!

Tediously dull

[annepcooper · 1/10 · 7 April 2017]

I really looked forward to watching this, especially given the solid cast. Well, sorry but it was dull and boring. I certainly didn't raise so much as a smile. The cast all seemed like they were trying too hard, it was like watching someone trying to revive a roadkill badger with CPR. I certainly won't be watching the other two episodes; I would have more fun watching paint dry

Superb first two episodes

[petercarlton · 10/10 · 6 April 2017]

As a lifelong enthusiast for the writing of Evelyn Waugh, I thought I would never again see a revival of interest in his work. I am glad to say that this adaptation - on the evidence of Episode 1 - ensures that I couldn't have been more wrong, as it will undoubtedly attract a whole new audience. There is sheer quality in every aspect of this production and I found myself laughing out loud throughout. Everything is perfect - casting, script, characterisation, editing; it doesn't put a foot wrong. It seems unfair to single out any one contribution, but Douglas Hodge has so much fun with the character of the deeply dubious unidexter Captain Grimes, you cannot help but be impressed while you giggle. I can't wait to watch the remaining episodes, but simply wish to congratulate the whole team on this first showing. Bravo! On viewing the second episode, there is nothing to add other than that the very high standard has been maintained - a relief and an uproarious pleasure.

My cheeks hurt from laughing!!

[barbacuff · 10/10 · 12 February 2021]

Absolutely brilliant adaptation of Evelyn Waugh's biting satire of British personalities. Douglas Hodge's performance is a comedic tour de force!! Jack Whitehall is perfectly cast, as are all of the other "character" actors. The only misstep was in casting Eva Longoria...her performance is rather grating. I say, it's a " must watch" for those who are fans of British comedy!

Weird, with a VERY disapointing ending. (apart from that observation, no spoilers)

[Harbsa · 1/10 · 23 October 2018]

The good... The acting, and casting was very good, and the sets costumes etc, all top notch.

The Bad... But it is one of those stories that leaves threads unfulfilled.

And characters that you want to see what happened to them extremely irritatingly untold, and incomplete.

Also some "happenings" are frankly just stupid. And distasteful, just for the sake of it.

And as aforementioned, a VERY weird, and disappointing. (in every sense) ending.

Truly World Beating Unbelievable performance from Arron Chiplin

[maxlloyd-94035 · 10/10 · 24 February 2024]

The performance of Mr Arron Chiplin in the finale is what gave enough to this show to call it the final episode. It's almost as like Arron Chiplin, reaches out at you, and grabs you, even if you didn't know it was happening.

• '16:05' - has anyone ever seen a man pretend to pick up a rock and walk off with it better than this?

• '19:05' - a solid showing of a truly terrified, emasculated man in the background seeing a scary inmate being taken away. The backwards stumble towards the end finalises the situation.

• '32:10' some strong determined yet eternally dammed looks in the background.

• '36:10' onwards: The curious yet slightly worried lean at the end of this scene really gave the enormousness of the situation and was the impact that was needed. (I heard that Paul Englishby had this scene shot 30+ times because "something didn't feel right". The moment of brilliance from Mr A Chiplin is what this scene needed.

• '42:24' - the face of a man that's expecting to hear some grave news, and his face says all that he is thinking in that moment, looking straight down the camera. Fantastic.

• '42:46' - Hear the deep tones coming through that he spent hours working on as a child at the St Mark Church in Gabalfa, Cardiff, Wales.

What was everyone else's best Arron Chiplin scene?

Whitehall farce.....

[ianlouisiana · 3/10 · 14 April 2017]

Once more Waugh's propensity for irony - as opposed to Post - Modern irony - is overlooked and his work turned into low comedy with the sort of acting that may have pleased Lord Rix 60 years ago and kept bums on seats at the Whitehall Theatre but really has no place on what I can only assume was a serious attempt to translate "Decline and Fall" into 21st century television entertainment. Like a live - action "Punch and Judy" we have clumsy physical comedy performed by people who have no talent for it. Mr Jack Whitehall seems like a nice bloke but a farceur he ain't. A person unfamiliar with Waugh's oeuvre might be forgiven for wondering what the fuss was all about. This is really "Nil Points" as far as I am concerned. The 3 I have given it are purely down to the casting of the guy who played Anthony Blanche in "Brideshead" - the single Waughian touch in the whole sorry business. Watch the re - runs of "Inside No9" if you want to see how great TV comedy has evolved.It's like looking at "The Ascent of Man.

Oscar is amazing, as usual.

[rossgary · 10/10 · 5 May 2019]

If it was bad it wasn't Oscar Kennedy's fault, he's brilliant in everything he acts in.

A wry sense of humor with an English twist.

[Bernie4444 · 2/10 · 2 November 2023]

In this 20th century period piece, Paul Pennyfeather (Jack Whitehall) is in the wrong place at the right time for us. He is a divinity student at Oxford University in the 1920s. Due to a prank by The Bollinger Club, he is disrobed which leads to his dismissal for running around the quad in his birthday suit. The story goes downhill from here as Paul goes from one unpleasant situation to one worse and we watch and kibitz for three hours and two minutes.

The situations are so ridiculous that you may anticipate some but not most of what is going to happen.

The bright side is that we are introduced to some strange characters. One strange character is Dr. Fagan (David Suchet in one of his best performances.)

Loosely adapted from the book, "Decline and Fall" (1928) by Evelyn Waugh.

Arthur Evelyn St. John Waugh (28 October 1903 - 10 April 1966).

Not Good Enough

[PennyReviews · 1/10 · 8 April 2024]

'' Decline and Fall '' is a short series based on a book by Evelyn Waugh. I did wanted to love this one, especially since it was only a few episodes long, but because of its short length, the story was rushed. Hence, in one scene we're at the school, next up, we're taking summer vocations. Also, this way it was hard to connect with the characters or even get to know them. At least the performances were enjoyable, because the actual story was boring somehow, little funny, and all over the place, with no built up and no actual plot. A pitty as I love Eva Longoria and she was delightful and fun to watch.