Julian Fellowes, creator and writer of Downton Abbey, adapts Anthony Trollope's classic 1858 titular novel (the third in his Chronicles of Barsetshire series) in this four-part 2016 miniseries set in mid-19th-century England—a world of titles, inherited wealth, and social snobbery. Tom Hollander stars as the honorable and generous Dr. Thorne, dedicated physician to the gruff but affectionate Sir Roger Scatcherd (Ian McShane), and Stefanie Martini is Thorne's niece Mary, a lovely and sweet but also penniless young woman he raised like a daughter. Doctor Thorne is a tale of impoverished noble families desperate to marry their children into fortunes—in essence offering title in return for money. Here, the Gresham family shuns Mary as they plot to marry their eldest son, who is naturally in love with Mary, off to a visiting American heiress (Alison Brie). There will be trials and revelations in this tale that plays like Jane Austen lite—minus Austen's sharp wit and social commentary—where the chase after unearned wealth so that families can maintain lavish lifestyles without working is presented as a legitimate way of life. Doctor Thorne is, however, a handsome production with colorful characters and excellent actors (especially Hollander, as the story's moral core) and there are satisfying jabs of irony along the way. Originally produced for British TV and shown exclusively in the U.S. on Amazon Prime Video, Doctor Thorne bows on DVD with extras including behind-the-scenes featurettes. Highly recommended. (S. Axmaker)
Doctor Thorne
Anchor Bay, 179 min., not rated, DVD: $39.99 Volume 32, Issue 1
Doctor Thorne
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