"Father Brown" The Wisdom of the Fool (TV Episode 2020) Poster

(TV Series)

(2020)

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8/10
We almost got the Crackpot back, very good.
Sleepin_Dragon9 March 2020
It's a Jester festival, Kembleford is entertained by a group of Jesters, as festivities are in full flow Doctor Belmont a known drug user falls down dead.

It's a very smart, neat mystery, it's a gorgeous production. Forty five minutes of amusing, funny drama, which is well acted and hugely entertaining. The costumes are stunning, and the camera work is terrific.

To date, my favourite episode is still The Crackpot of The Empire and it was great to hear Uncle Mirth mentioned, a shame they didn't bring him back.

Far fetched behind belief, but terrific fun, 8/10.
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6/10
The Wisdom of the Fool
Prismark109 January 2020
Warning: Spoilers
A nice little callback to Uncle Mirth a character from a previous series.

There is a convention of traveling jesters in Kembleford, however events such as learn how to juggle are rudely interrupted when Dr Belmont collapses and dies in front of the crowd. Dr Belmont was known to be fond of a drink or two, she made a cryptic remark before she went.

Inspector Mallory is shocked to find that Toby Dobson, one of the chief jesters used to be a former police inspector.

Another jester, Mr Feste has taken a fancy to Mrs McCarthy but then later confesses to the killing of Dr Belmont. However he is later found dead.

Father Brown discovers that before the jesters decided to make em laugh, they had all suffered heartache.

The story has the shades of an early Michael Douglas film called The Star Chamber.
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8/10
The forerunner of Death Wish
safenoe11 May 2023
Warning: Spoilers
A very confronting episode this, The Wisdom of the Fool, where things aren't so funny by the time we reach the denouement that's for sure.

Father Brown is set in the 1950s and I think this episode is a forerunner of the 1974 vigilante film, Death Wish starring Charles Bronson. I would never have expected The Wisdom of the Fool would have that vigilante element to it, and it was quite the twist for sure.

When I came to post a review I saw already 13 user reviews for this episode, meaning this episode was very polarizing for sure for the Father Brown audience whose sensibilities may be taken for a ride in this one.
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10/10
Really Clever episode
alexpeters-5320315 January 2020
I have to say, this was a very clever episodes with some great acting. Everytime I thought that Father Brown had solved the mystery of who was the killer, the story took another turn and the tension just got bigger and bigger. I was literally on the edge of my seats. The makers of this episode should also be applauded for the beautiful and colourful sets and costumes. Great episode. One of My favourites. A.
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10/10
Art Films for All
artfilm-2064215 January 2020
Not your usual day time drama. Scary and funny. More like this please BBC. Ten out of ten.

For more recommendations see our film and tv page on twitter.
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5/10
sadly not one of the best...
hamlet-1610 January 2020
This episode starts well enough but ends rather disappointingly. Some would say it was a silly ending.

But it looks wonderful. The lush English village and quite gorgeous jester costuming is a definite plus.

And the lovely Sorcha Cusack has a marvellous time!

Not one of Father Brown's best but a for 43 minute dalliance of jest.
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9/10
Send In The Clowns
bhoover24726 April 2020
Like all Father Brown episodes this one is a bit silly. However I did enjoy it. I thought it was amusing that the Sargent had a fear of clowns. I think Billy Bob Thorton has the same problem. I wonder how the Sargent feels about antique furniture? I think that's another Billy Bob hang up.
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4/10
Not their best.
bobblumenfeld26 April 2020
Although the story kept me guessing, and the plot worked, the ending was both unrealistic and unsatisfying and so ruined the episode. Looked like the writers wrote themselves into a corner and just took the easy way out. That or something was cut from the story that would have made the ending work.
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3/10
Won't Fool Real Fans
balldave22 April 2020
You must watch this to rightly judge how awful it is ! Over acted with a pathetic plot line . Annoying characters abound as well. And the Chief Inspector trope in his frustration with Padre Brown is tired and a bore. As is this entire episode!
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3/10
Ludicrous
peterff-3483621 January 2021
Even by the standards of Father Brown this episode was absurd,
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3/10
Terrible episode
yerwan126 April 2020
Remember "B" sides to old records? I usually like Father Brown very much, but this is an awful episode, more like the "D" side on an old record. Murder at a jester faire. Absurd story line and characters. Father Brown may be on the decline. Not a good mystery or realistic crime at all.
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2/10
Worst episode
babstoyfish9 July 2021
I told my boyfriend Father Brown was a good show and unfortunately this was the first episode he watched with me. Now I'm a little embarrassed and tv night tonight was a total dud.
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1/10
Is Father Brown putting on his water skis?
jaxian25 October 2020
"The Wisdom of the Fool" could be an indicator of Father Brown jumping the shark. It won't be the Father's fault, but rather blame it on this badly written episode, the terrible, terrible acting, and the extremely far-fetched and stupid story. It struck me as though this was the very first run-through of the script, it was taped, and somebody unwisely thought it was good to go and no more work was needed. H-u-u-u-ge mistake.
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4/10
Poor script
sushiboot29 August 2020
I am a fan of Father Brown but this script is so poor that the episode descends into farce.
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1/10
Worst Father Brown Episode
AppalachianMountainWriter23 February 2024
I had started to watch this episode when it first came out, and had stopped. Went back last night and watched it with a lot of fast forwarding. This has to be the worst Father Brown episode so far, and I've seen them all. Absolutely ridiculous all the way through. A Jesters Convention? Really? Every scene was ridiculously crazy. Sergeant Goodfellow is afraid of clowns, the nerdy son is over-the-top crazy. Even the man pursuing Mrs. McCarthy was unbelievable. And the ending was crazy and unbelievable. Some of the later episodes have been on the crazy side, too. I'm thinking the series is going to become a slapstick comedy.
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