Ronan Vibert, Cadfael, Derek Jacobi
n. The Virgin in the Ice
- TV Series (Granada/ITV) 1994: Series 2, Episode 1
Ronan content: approx  6%   (60 mins)
Character: Le Gaucher, brigand, murderer, Knight of the Crusades Cast: Derek Jacobi Cadfael, Terrence Hardiman, Michael Culver Prior Robert, Mark Charnock Brother Oswin, Eoin McCarthy Beringer, Valentine Pelka Boteral, 
Robert Cavanah Olivier de Bretagne, Ronan Vibert Le Gaucher
Availablity: PAL -  Carlton video @ £15/NTSC - DVD @ $16 -- see comments for details
Plot/Comments:
Cadfael is brimming with loads of top class character actors, such as
Terrence Hardiman (the Demon Headmaster, and also Foreign Office Minister Jack Straw lookalike) and Michael Culver. 
       The second series was probably the best in terms of writing, and covered Ellis 
Peters' most famous Cadfael books. The only gripe is that the costumes are still not 100% together (some of the chainmail definitely looks like wool) and the DVD 
transfer is utterly piss-poor (grainy as hell, although some nice extra still shots of 
Jacobi making the episode and an audio interview): buy the video tape too.
Without giving too much of the plot away, the three main strands 
involve a young nun, who is found murdered, violated, and frozen in an icy stream -- Cadfael's young charge, Brother Oswin, is the prime suspect;  two young Norman siblings who are separated in a forest teeming with newly-returned Crusader Knights turned bloodthirsty brigands, lead by Le Gaucher (Ronan Vibert); and a mysterious dark stranger, handy with both sword and herbal remedy, who ties into Cadfael's own past in the Crusades. 
      Naturally it's all a tiny bit hammy, and the third plot strand is a bit hackneyed, but that's half the fun with this sort of thing. 
Ronan content:

For an actor who is so physical in terms of outward appearance and body/facial language, it is unusual -- at least on film/TV -- to see Ronan in such an action-based physical role, and he seems to relish the opportunity to combine such a big, brutish character with sword-fighting, maiming, murder, and delivery of rather Arnie-esque one-liners ("Pig am I?...Then I better teach you how to squeal...") while despatching small boys and monks.
BackDracula:the Undiscovered Country
Next The Buccaneers
Next Peer Gynt (basic info)
VIBERTOGRAPHY
Typical Ronan Character Quotes:
  • "Go with God" [stab]  -- to an unarmed monk, in the  back, after beating him senseless
  • "I'll eat your heart" -- with rotting yellow fangs, to a young boy, sword at throat 
Trainspotter comments and Queries:
  • Some Cadfael shot in the Czech Republic, as per all six episodes  of the Scarlet Pimpernel. Early episodes shot in Hungary: not sure which for this episode.
  • Valentine Pelka (previously seen five years earlier with Vibert in Rowing with the Windas Shelley)  turns up in this as the young Norman  lady's betrothed.  They  have no scenes together.
  • Robert Cavanah also worked with Ronan again, in Highlander: The Raven. Although they repeat their good guy/bad guy roles, they have no scenes together. 
  • See What Goes Around Comes Around in Loose Ends for a list of other recurring co-stars.
     Le Gaucher is a cruel, barbarous knight, returned from the Crusades with nothing except orders to obey his considerably richer Lord. Doing the logical thing, he turns against his Lord and assembles the rest of his men, with the aim of living off both the land and those who dwell on it.
  Vibert imbues Le Gauchet with a wry sense of humour (except for the slaying, burning, and bullying, he's probably a good chap to have around), largely through 
facial expressions, while communicating his utter contempt for his supposed social betters (i.e. monks and sons of rich Lords).

    The costume is pretty extreme: long black matted and braided hair, with black beard and very pale skin; chainmail, turban, huge fur cloak, and big sword; and a lovely set of rotting yellow-brown fangs (needless to say, everyone else has nice white gnashers). He's also wearing a lot of padding (especially on the legs) to make him look bigger and more menacing than his own wiry frame.