The To Serve Them All My Days miniseries is based on the novel (of the same name) by R. F. Delderfield. I admit to not having read the novel, but I have seen the miniseries… and I love it! It is not a mystery, but it does stand up to its BBC counterparts in that it is an extremely good production. The thirteen segment series was produced in 1980 and is set during the time between World War I and WW II.
The miniseries follows “David,” a soldier who survived WW I physically (albeit with a limp) but who was left with a somewhat shaky mental outlook… commonly known as shell-shock. Although not a teacher by trade, he is given a job as a teacher at an exclusive, upper-crust boys boarding school. (A “public” school… which to us in the USA translates to “private.”) David, the teacher, is beautifully played by John Duttine— who— if you are a lover of BBC/ITV productions, you will surely recognize.
David does not come from the privileged background that his students come from, and is not entirely sure he wants to teach at this posh school. But, with time, you see how David is able to identify with these boys who are expected to be “brave, little men:” while being taken from their families and placed into boarding schools at very young ages…
The cast is superb, the wardrobe is authentic-looking, and the setting is wonderful. I think that the only negative thing I have to say is that the series is simply too short. I would have loved watching more segments>>> actually, many more segments!
I missed seeing this series when it was broadcast on Masterpiece Theatre in the early 1980s so I was delighted to find it recently. I strongly recommend this wonderful production… even though it isn’t a mystery!
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Nancy Lee says
I just discovered Cozy Mysteries. I have been calling mine gentle mysteries. I rented the series To Serve Them All My Days from netflix and like you, love it. Thank you so much for this.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Isn’t this a great series?!?
Patti C says
I recently discovered Cozy Mysteries. Your suggestions are very helpful in finding the kinds of mysteries that I like to read. I’m also finding your TV/movie section helpful.
For those who enjoy family friendly, cozy historical dramas, I would suggest the Ed Friendly 1979 miniseries, “Backstairs at the White House” which has recently become available in DVD. It is taken from the true memoirs of a woman and her daughter who worked at the White House for many years. The series goes from the Taft Administration through the Eisenhower Administration. You will laugh and cry as you watch this excellent production.
Olivia Cole stars as Maggie, the first black woman to serve upstairs as an employed maid in the White House during the Taft years. She plays a very endearing, hardworking, woman, full of dignity and integrity. The story follows the lives of Maggie and her family, as they live through the various presidential administrations. Leslie Uggams does a wonderful job playing Maggie’s bubbly daughter, Lillian, who is crippled from polio, and develops superior sewing skills that she eventually uses at the White House. There are many touching, and humorous moments throughout the series, and one also learns much American history — enjoyable, interesting history for parents to share with their children. One comes to see the “human” side of the presidents and their families.
Stars abound in this excellent miniseries — besides Olivia Cole and Leslie Uggams, here is a partial list of others: Louis Gossett, Jr., Cloris Leachman, Leslie Nielsen, Paul Winfield, Victor Buono, Julie Harris, Robert Vaughn, Kim Hunter, Claire Bloom, George Kennedy, Celeste Holme, Ed Flanders, Lee Grant, Harry Morgan, and Estelle Parsons, among others.
My husband and I first saw this miniseries when it aired on TV back in 1979, before we had children. We’ve been waiting for many years to finally see it again with our children. We finally found it available to purchase last Fall. Our three kids — aged 24, 19, and 14, were enthralled. You won’t be disappointed!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Patti C, thank you so much for telling us about this television series. I don’t know how I missed it, but am looking forward to watching it with my family!