MASTERPIECE THEATRE: THE BEST OF FRIENDS (TV)
Summary
One in this ongoing series of dramas presented under the umbrella of "Masterpiece Theatre." This made-for-television drama, based on the play by Hugh Whitemore, is adapted from the letters exchanged over the course of two decades between Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw, English museum curator Syndey Cockerell and Dame Laurentia McLachlan, a Scottish Benedictine nun. Host Alistair Cooke provides opening remarks and background information, explaining that the Victorian trio was not "stuffy," as the following generation claimed. As the story begins, Cockerell admits that he has always thought himself an "insignificant person" and keeps life interesting by surrounding himself with more interesting friends. He explains how Shaw and McLachlan met, noting Shaw's surprise at learning that McLachlan has lived in the enclosed community of Stanbrook Abbey, at which she is literally behind bars, for over fifty years. He visits her along with his wife and sends her a copy of his play, "Saint Joan," and as he is a noted atheist, the two engage in religious debates. Shaw discusses his unusual views about sex and marriage, describing his advertisement for an ideal wife, and Cockerell admits that he was a rather late bloomer in the romance department. McLachlan explains how one "hears the call" to enter religious service, though Cockerell wonders how one religion can be correct and all the others wrong.
Shaw then becomes a "pilgrim" and travels to the Holy Land, taking McLachlan along "in spirit." Cockerell recalls his trip to Italy with Shaw, and Shaw describes his adventures in Damascus, Jerusalem and other lands, noting how oddly faith and tourist observation seem to collide. He brings McLachlan back a stone from Bethlehem, and despite his non-religious views, the Stanbrook nuns are pleased with the gift and include him in their prayers. Cockerell describes his lifelong habit of collecting things, particularly books, and recalls meeting McLachlan when he traveled to Stanbrook, which contains a printing press. Shaw inquires what she does all day, and she describes her structured and busy 365-days-a-year schedule, saying that she and the others are "intensely happy." She admits that she was surprised by her own decision to enter the abbey, but is now glad, assuring the men that she is not "caged" and wondering about the true nature of personal freedom. Shaw declares that he "dreads success," feeling that continual challenge and contradiction is good for one's development. Cockerell explains his decision to marry, though he admits he never understood his wife Kate, who suffered for many years with multiple sclerosis and with whom he had three children.
When the abbess of Stanbrook dies, McLachlan attempts to be elected as her replacement, giving a speech to the other sisters. Shaw takes a trip to Africa and ends up writing a book of short stories, "The Adventures of the Black Girl in Her Search for God." McLachlan deems it blasphemous and urges him not to publish it, but he scolds her for her "unreasonable" views and states that God in fact inspired him to write it, and their friendship suffers a rift. More than a year later, Shaw receives a letter and believes that McLachlan has died, but soon discovers the misunderstanding and learns that she is alive and celebrating her fiftieth year in the abbey, and the two reconcile. Cockerell provides Queen Mary with a tour of Fitzwilliam Museum at Cambridge, explaining how he personally organized the disarrayed collection. Shaw takes up tangoing and learns that McLachlan is in fact a famous expert on Gregorian chant. Cockerell hears rumors about Shaw's dalliances with other women, admitting that he too was tempted once. All three of them feel the effects of the war in Europe, and Shaw's wife soon dies, causing him to peacefully accept his own mortality. McLachlan is permitted to leave the abbey for a brief task and meets up with Cockerell in London, and they spend an enjoyable day bonding and sightseeing together. Cockerell's wife soon dies as well, and he muses over his relationship with his children as Shaw ponders the evolution of humanity. Shaw dies as well in 1950, and Cockerell describes his cremation, at which he performs a reading. McLachlan and Cockerell keep up their correspondence, realizing they have been friends for more than half of their lives, and McLachlan dies in 1953 at age 88. Cockerell lives out his days quietly and reminisces about his life, deciding that it was an interesting one, and dies in 1962. Cooke closes the program by explaining that when the three met, Shaw was considered a "damaging cynic" no more after publishing "Saint Joan," which contributed to his friendship with McLachlan. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: PBS WGBH Boston, MA
- DATE: October 18, 1992 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:00:00
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:76876
- GENRE: Drama
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama; Biography; Letter-writing
- SERIES RUN: PBS - TV series, 1971-
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - Mobil Corporation
CREDITS
- Johan Eliasch … Executive Producer
- Steven North … Executive Producer
- Tom Donald … Executive Producer
- Rebecca Eaton … Executive Producer
- Alvin Rakoff … Producer, Director
- Limehouse Productions … Co-Producer
- Hugh Whitemore … Based on the play by
- Sydney Cockerell … Based on the letters and writings by
- Laurentia McLachlan … Based on the letters and writings by
- Bernard Shaw (see also: George Bernard Shaw) … Based on the letters and writings by
- Sidney Sager … Music by
- Alastair Cooke … Host
- John Gielgud … Cast, Sydney Cockerell
- Wendy Hiller … Cast, Laurentia McLachlan
- Patrick McGoohan … Cast, George Bernard Shaw