1978 - Rumpole of the Bailey - Robert Hardy | John Mortimer | Audiobook

Step into the smoke-filled chambers of Equity Court and the hallowed halls of the Old Bailey. You are listening to the 1978 radio series of Rumpole of the Bailey, written by the barrister-turned-author John Mortimer.

Horace Rumpole is a cynical, wine-swilling, poetry-quoting barrister who specializes in defending the indefensible. With a diet of cheap "Chateau Fleet Street" and a stubborn refusal to ever plead guilty, Rumpole navigates the eccentricities of the English legal system while contending with his formidable wife, Hilda (affectionately known as "She Who Must Be Obeyed").

⚖️ Why This 1978 Series is Special:
Robert Hardy’s Performance: Hardy brings a unique, sharp-edged energy to Rumpole, capturing the character’s brilliance and his delightful disdain for authority.

Authentic Legal Wit: Written by John Mortimer, a real-life Queen’s Counsel, the stories are packed with genuine legal insight and a biting satire of the British class system.

Vintage Atmosphere: These 1978 recordings capture a specific era of London legal life—a world of wigs, gowns, and the occasional murky deal in the pub.

Classic Storytelling: From the Penge Bungalow Murders (his greatest triumph) to the struggles of the Timson family, these stories are masterpieces of the "whodunnit" genre.

🎙 About Horace Rumpole
Rumpole is the ultimate underdog. He doesn't want to be a judge; he doesn't want to move up the ladder. He simply wants to "defend the subject," stand up to "his lordship" on the bench, and make it back to Pommeroy's Wine Bar in time for a glass of something red.

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💬 Comment Below: Who is your favorite Rumpole narrator—Robert Hardy, Leo McKern, or perhaps Benedict Cumberbatch?

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