Reviews (2)

Not one of the better films....
THE SETTLING OF THE SUN is not one of the better Morse films. The acting is stagy and overdone. The camera shots are bizarre and awkward. The hotch-potch use of elements from other more successful filmed versions of Colin Dexter's books, such as "Last Seen Wearing", "Last Bus to Woodstock" and "The Dead of Jericho" is insulting to the knowing fan.

I am not sure this film is based on a book. I don't remember reading a book with this title, nor did I find the plot familiar. (I thought I had read all of Colin Dexter's 'Morse' books.) If it is based on a book, the plot is certainly far inferior to those found other tales.

The tortured and unbelievable plot is overlaid with repetitious use of "Morse-isms" which are supposed to "wow" American audiences such as: Morse thinking over a pint in a friendly tavern; Morse driving his little red jaguar all over Oxford; Morse playing music and drinking at home; Morse unwilling to look at a body (three times with the same body). Morse's interest in the female "lead" is far from enthusiastic. It's almost as if he is going through the motions. Also, it's a bit hard to believe that this ditsy overwrought female has the least bit of attractiveness for Morse.

Don't get me wrong. I love the little "English" touches a much as the next Anglophile. I just hate being taken for a sucker. However,if you are devoted Morse fan you will probably want to buy it. Just can't get enough of the late John Thaw.

Possiby the Darkest of All the Inspector Morse Films
The undertones in "Setting of the Sun" deal with war and the moral repercussions thereof. Its direction is, along with "Service of All the Dead," among the most bleak and atmospheric of the Morse films. Another commonality which this film shares with the aforementioned film is its convoluted-yet-plausible plot, consisting of a rather intricate conspiracy theory. It may take a couple viewings for you to comprehend, it certainly did for me. Inspector Morse is asked to present a prize for a crossword competition at a summer school in Londsdale college for a group of overseas students. A murder conducted in a gruesome manner takes place while Morse is dining with the group. It turns out his presence was not incidental; he was meant to be a witness. Jane Robson's, Morse's love interest and the person who invited him to present the prize, feelings for Morse are not mutual in this episode. The uncertain long-term implications of war are beautifully presented at the end with the innocent view of Morse's love interest's daughter, when asked about her grandfather, whose suffering during the war was the impetus behind the conspiracy. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

An excellent introduction to the Inspector Morse series.
An Amazon.com reviewer of July 10th has written a superb review of this episode of the extensive series of Morse mysteries and I won't go over ground that he or she has ably covered. For those viewers who are convinced by his/her review to begin watching the Morse mysteries with The Silent World of Nicholas Quinn, I would like to add that the mystery begins with the opening credits.

We are introduced to the deaf Nicholas Quinn, an examiner at a Board based in Oxford, England. He is standing by himself reading the lips of the various people talking with one another at a wine party. We see the obvious concern on his face that something is desperately wrong, but, like him, we can't hear what many of the guests are saying. He does not need to hear; his facility reading lips is evident. He tells another reviewer that the examinations conducted by the Board are compromised and he walks out of the party in distress.

In the next scene, still while the credits are playing, we watch a fire drill at the Examining Board. We don't see Nicholas Quinn leave the building even though we are told that everyone is accounted for. If you watch this scene a second time carefully, many of the clues to unlock the mystery are contained in this first few minutes of the program.

My guess is that most people who view this mystery like solving complicated puzzles and will enjoy watching each clue that Morse uncovers right to the last scene.

John Thaw, unfortunately now dead, was a superb English actor and he found an ideal character to play in the crusty Chief Inspector Morse. Kevin Whately is almost equally as good as his long suffering sidekick, Sergeant Lewis. Viewers who like this early installment will have a chance to watch Morse and Lewis in action many more times in this outstanding and long running series.

exquisite!
This has grown to be my favourite Inspector Morse of the entire Morse series! The more I watch this the more enchanted I become with it uncovering little pieces each time. Exquisite indeed!

The murder is set in the arcane world of examiantion boards which were affiliated to some of England's major universities as arbiters of the academic development of students at ages 16 and 18. This obscure branch of academia is nonetheless an ivory tower existance disguising basic human failings of jealousy, greed etc.

When a relatively new examiner is found dead at home the detectives seem to be looking beyond the workplace but in the course of the investigation the examination board becomes the centre of attention.

Essential Morse has three main interests, his love of opera, his appreciation of real ale (microbrews in American parlance), and his fascination of crosswords. It is in the last of these that we find the core to this story. As always the story is composed like a crossword such that the clues must be solved before completing the case. Here, however, the crossword assumes a much greater role. One of the other examiners, and as such a suspect, turns out to be an intellectual hero of Morse, Daedalus, who sets a particu;arly challenging crossword which gives Morse great pleasure. The two men share similar interests and it becomes apparent that they have a similar view of the world. They become competitors in trying to resolve the case but only until Daedalus (played superbly by Michael Gough) is also murdered although he leaves some difficult clues behind.

Another dimension to this story is the love interest of examiner Monica. Again there is a crossword perspective. Morse is intrigued by the physical and intellectual beauty of this woman, but as usual he cannot solve the clues to understanding her. He is torn between his feelings for her as a person and the growing suspicion that she is somehow involved in the murders. Ultimately this conflict is only resolved when it is too late.

The plot twists and turns and has several blind allies but it is compulsive viweing and by the device of Daedelus we get to see a mirror image of Morse the man. Kevin Whately puts in another superb performance as the long suffering Lewis who we perceive as the apprentice of the master but also the master's concience.

An excellent vintage and quite excellent indeed.

The DVD version is a little disappointing in that it delivers a full-screen format with a cleaner sound. Moreover Barrington Phelong's incidental music does not benefit from the transfer. It would certainly benefit from a remastering. The other additional features are minimal but did make me replay the Jeremy Brett version of Arthur Conan Doyle's "Sign of Four" shortly afterwards to find John Thaw in fine form. I am sure that Inspector Morse fans would appreciate the show even more if it was available in the widescreen format but I am afraid that that is unlikely.

Still, this remains an exceptional introduction to the Morse series and an absolute must have for one's fledling DVD collection.

Vintage Morse...
THE SILENT WORLD OF NICOLAS QUINN is about a man who works for a syndicate in Oxford England. The business of the syndicate is testing students in underdeveloped countries for the purpose of awarding degrees--one presumes from Oxford University as the syndicate members are all affilitated with various colleges of the university. At a reception for a dignitary from a Middle Eastern country, a hearing impaired professor named Nicholas Quinn reads the lips of two speakers and uncovers an awful truth--cheating is abroad. It seems some or all of the syndicate members are involved in a scam to "sell" test results by providing the answers to the questions beforehand. Quinn shares his concerns with a fellow member of the syndicate and is overheard, or his lips are read, or his confidant betrays him --the end result is murder. (Sherry, crossword puzzles, acrosstics, and ticket stubs for Marlon Brando's "Last Tango.." become important clues.)

The film is vintage Morse. The shots of Oxford are fabulous --some of the best. This episode was part of the set of stories used to introduced Morse to the American viewing public. John Thaw, who plays Inspector Morse, was born in 1942 and sadly died this past year. Colin Dextor ended the life of his character Inspector Morse about the same time--perhaps knowing the actor had cancer. The series always resonated with sadness and loss, but now the loss is real. Phelong Barrington's wonderful music beating out the no longer used Morse code adds to the angst.

The series was able to snare the best BBC actors and this episode is no exception. Mystery fans will recogize Kevin Whately as Lewis. Barbara Flynn, who played a private investigator in another Mystery presentation, plays a female don. Frederick Torres, who has been suspected of murder more than once and who fans of the "Jewel in the Crown" will know, also plays a don. Clive Swift, known to those who watch "Keeping up Appearances" as Richard Bucket (Bouquet) plays the head of the syndicate.

The DVD is a recording of the tape and is thus not top notch. This is the A&E version and A&E does not always do the best job. However, if you are a Morse fan, this is one of the best of the series, and unlike some of the later episodes was based on a book by Colin Dexter with the same title--so the plot is ingenious.

Exquisite!
This has grown to be my favourite Inspector Morse of the entire Morse series! The more I watch this the more enchanted I become with it uncovering little pieces each time. Exquisite indeed!

The murder is set in the arcane world of examiantion boards which were affiliated to some of England's major universities as arbiters of the academic development of students at ages 16 and 18. This obscure branch of academia is nonetheless an ivory tower existance disguising basic human failings of jealousy, greed etc.

When a relatively new examiner is found dead at home the detectives seem to be looking beyond the workplace but in the course of the investigation the examination board becomes the centre of attention.

Essential Morse has three main interests, his love of opera, his appreciation of real ale (microbrews in American parlance), and his fascination of crosswords. It is in the last of these that we find the core to this story. As always the story is composed like a crossword such that the clues must be solved before completing the case. Here, however, the crossword assumes a much greater role. One of the other examiners, and as such a suspect, turns out to be an intellectual hero of Morse, Daedalus, who sets a particu;arly challenging crossword which gives Morse great pleasure. The two men share similar interests and it becomes apparent that they have a similar view of the world. They become competitors in trying to resolve the case but only until Daedalus (played superbly by Michael Gough) is also murdered although he leaves some difficult clues behind.

Another dimension to this story is the love interest of examiner Monica. Again there is a crossword perspective. Morse is intrigued by the physical and intellectual beauty of this woman, but as usual he cannot solve the clues to understanding her. He is torn between his feelings for her as a person and the growing suspicion that she is somehow involved in the murders. Ultimately this conflict is only resolved when it is too late.

The plot twists and turns and has several blind allies but it is compulsive viweing and by the device of Daedelus we get to see a mirror image of Morse the man. Kevin Whately puts in another superb performance as the long suffering Lewis who we perceive as the apprentice of the master but also the master's concience.

An excellent vintage and quite excellent indeed. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Morse in misery
This is certainly a highly unusual entry in the series, given the fact that Morse is the chief suspect in a murder investigation. Morse is subjected to all sorts of trials and tribulations--- some of which are designed to create a trail of evidence framing Morse for more than one crime. One of the more amusing aspects of the mystery involves Morse's helplessness when confronted with computer technology and its bearing on the case. However, Sgt. Lewis, who never doubts Morse's innocence, comes to the rescue by utilizing his computer skills to help rescue Morse from his predicament. The role of Inspector Bottomley, who is assigned to investigate Morse, offers some amusement value as well. Bottomley, who belongs to a Masonic lodge, ends up looking rather foolish; moreover, he also seems to have been genuinely chagrined when Morse's innocence is finally established. In any event, this mystery represents an interesting and entertaining role reversal for Morse.

When Life Imitates Art...
First thing to do is to ignore the "Part 1" above in the item title; you're getting the full-length (100 mins, approx.) episode of "Masonic Mysteries." In terms of the world of Inspector Morse, this is probably the Inspector Morse episode even people who wouldn't otherwise care for the series can enjoy (immensely, in most cases), as it's considerably different to any of the other 32 films in the series. Morse is "the hunted, instead of the hunter" for once, as he is being constantly framed (literally & figuratively) by someone whom he put away years ago and is trying to get his own back. The trials Morse is put through parallel the trials by fire & water in the Mozart opera, "The Magic Flute," which he is in rehearsals for at the beginning with his lady friend (played by Kevin Whately's real-life wife), who is subsequently found dead, before a dumbfounded Morse, knife-in-hand and covered in her blood. It's not based on a Colin Dexter novel and was written by Julian Mitchell, who has written/adapted more Morse screenplays than any other. Morse's close relationship with Lewis is manifested in this episode more than possibly any other. A great deal of humor is to be found in "Masonic Mysteries" (at the Masons' expense), especially from the brief exchanges between Chief Inspector Bottomley, who, working with Lewis, is put in charge of the case. Morse is uncharacteristically upbeat throughout most of the duration of the film, particularly especially given the circumstances he is put in. John Thaw regards this as among his three favorite Morse films (and cites its differing from the others as a factor in that), along with "The Dead of Jericho" ("for sentimental reasons") and "Promised Land". This is the first of two Morse films to be directed by Danny Boyle, the director of such cult hits as "Trainspotting" and "Shallow Grave". The incomparable Ian McDiarmid (who played "The Emperor" in the Star Wars films) stars as the evil-genius nemesis. The Inspector Morse series is widely regarded as the peak in televisual entertainment, and this is a prime example. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Driven to the Wrong Conclusion
Like a lot of the Inspector Morse films, a big clue to cracking the case is contained in the title. Including Morse and Lewis, there is a third person who plays an equally significant part in the investigations in this film: DS Maitland, an expert on crimes against women, of which this case is. She just happens to be one, too. This is perhaps the most straightforward storyline, with only a few twists and turns, one of which crops up at the very end, turning the investigation upside down, and also causing everything to fall into place and make sense. Morse is adamant he has his man from the very start and his contempt for the individual, not only an arrogant car salesman but a blackmailer and convicted wifebeater to boot, blinds his judgment. There are many red herrings in this case and the general rule in writing a "whodunit" - i.e. make the last person the viewer would expect to have done it, do it - is employed cunningly. Overall, this is another shining example of the classy series, brilliantly written by Academy Award Winner Anthony Minghella and directed by Sandy Johnson. It is not difficult to see why this is one of the Morse films Colin Dexter selected as his favorites. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

As usual, John Thaw played His role as Morse brilliantly.
The story line is believeable,the acting is great, the city is beautiful. What more can I say? ... Read more

Reviews (1)

perversion in high places
This story covers a multitude of sins, as it deals with sexual abuse of children, corporate greed, blackmail, and homosexuality among other things. The plot involves an intersection of issues related to possible environmental hazards, corporate efforts to suppress information regarding those hazards, and the attempts of those who have been victimized by sexual abuse to take revenge against the perpetrator. All these issues surface only after Morse investigates the death of a professor, a death which
ironically is attributed to natural causes (a heart attack). Morse once more demonstrates the "thinking man" approach to detection, reaching conclusions based upon analysis of clues (childhood photographs) which might be overlooked by less sagacious investigators. The performances are first rate, and the manner in which the story unfolds maintains interest throughout. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This final set of episodes from the 1967-1968 season of TheAvengers follows the delightful, pop-surreal series through the concluding chapter of Diana Rigg's involvement as agent Emma Peel. On tap is "The £50,000 Breakfast," in which a ventriloquist is discovered to be carrying a stash of diamonds in his stomach, leading Mrs. Peel and John Steed (Patrick Macnee) into an investigation that involves murder, dummies, and borzoi dogs. "Dead Man's Treasure" finds a mortally wounded fellow agent hiding important documents in the home of a racing enthusiast--whose driving "simulator" nearly kills poor Mrs. Peel with a lethal dose of electricity. This set also includes the terrific "You Have Just Been Murdered," in which a gaggle of blackmailers and assassins accosts prospective victims with toy weapons to prove they can easily be killed. Steed and Mrs. Peel enter the fray, just as they do in "The Positive-Negative Man," a tense but amusing plot about an electrically charged killer dispatching members of a scientific research team (and very nearly our heroes) with one touch of his high-voltage finger. Also contained in the set is the dark and scary "Murdersville," in which Mrs. Peel is kidnapped in a town full of killers-for-hire. Following that is the cheeky "Mission Highly Improbable," featuring Steed and Emma as shrunken versions of themselves after being subjected to a miniaturization device. The series ends--rather sadly for worshippers of Mrs. Peel--with "The Forget-Me-Knot," introducing Steed's next partner, Tara King (Linda Thorson), in a story about a traitor within the intelligence community. A coda in which Steed and Emma say goodbye is indeed unforgettable. Fortunately, the good times and quirky humor and whimsical sexuality between this perfect pair live on forever in this set. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (7)

poor quality control
This otherwise excellent set is marred by an audio problem on "The $50,000 breakfast". The original show mix is combined with the music and effects mixouts causing the music and effects to be too loud and phasey.
After A&E did this on one of the early Prisoner releases, I had hoped they had tightened up on their quality control.
Thanks A&E. This episode is pretty much unwatchable.

New color era for Steed and Mrs. Peel
Following the huge success of the first filmed series of The Avengers, starring Patrick MacNee as debonair British agent John Steed and his cool, sophisticated partner Mrs. Emma Peel, the producers opted to make the next batch of 26 episodes in color, to be broadcast in 1967. In order to accomplish this, foreign backing was necessary, and the American networks were approached. The US had broadcast the black and white season four as a mid-season replacement, and were interested in moving forward with a color season in prime time, however they only provided enough backing for 16 episodes initially. Another challenge was that Diana Rigg was not particularly keen to film another season of the show, and demanded a huge salary increase in order to secure her participation. She got the money, but it was made clear it would be her second and last season with the show.

Apart from the use of color film, there were other subtle changes to the show for this fifth season. Both Steed and Emma were given new apartments and Mrs. Peel a much more stylized wardrobe. The device of ending each story with the two leads driving off in a variety of vehicles was abandoned and instead a tag scene was used to introduce each story, where Steed informed his partner that they were needed in a variety of humorous ways. Each story title was also given a two-line subtitle. After completion of the first batch of 16, the American backers did provide finance for a further 16 but asked for both the subtitles and tag scenes to be dropped, and also requested that Mrs. Peel's wardrobe became more recognizably en vogue.

After only 8 episodes were completed, producers Brian Clemens and Albert Fennell left the show after a disagreement and the new producers opted not to continue with Mrs. Peel and began their own interpretation of the show. It wasn't long before Clemens and Fennell were back in charge, but the 67 series ended with "Mission highly improbable," although Rigg was brought back in 1968 for the one-off "The forget me knot," to introduce her replacement Tara King. This episode is included in this release as a bonus episode.

In terms of storylines, acting and the wonderful interplay between the two leads, there is little difference between this color season and the preceding black and white stories and the show had really reached its zenith by this point. Certainly in terms of popularity and ratings, it was never as successful again. Interestingly, several of these stories are in fact remakes of earlier episodes from the Mrs. Gale era. "The joker," "The correct way to kill," and "The $$$$$ breakfast," are all remakes, whereas "The return of the Cybernauts," is a sequel to an earlier Steed/Mrs. Peel adventure.

Fans of The Avengers will of course be delighted to have these discs, and I'd highly recommend them to any other fans of the sci-fi/fantasy genre, and indeed fans of the 60's spy format. If you've ever seen the dreadful movie featuring Ralph Fiennes and Uma Thurman, don't let that put you off. These stories are the real McCoy!

A pretty good Set, but a couple problems
Diana Rigg and Patrick Macnee as Emma Peel and John Steed are fabulous. These two are the best from the avengers. This set isn't the best (in my opinion), but a classic. The 50,000 pound breakfast is just a silly plot about stealing a dog for money. Another problem, even though it (Tara King episode)is free, I don't like Tara King. The bonus episode is well known with Mrs. Peel and Tara King in The Forget-Me-Knot. The others are all great! Set includes: Dead Man's Treasure, Positive-Negative man, You Have Just Been Murdered, Mission Highly Improbable, and Murdersville. The other two episodes have been mentioned further up.

The most pleasant of surprises!
I have seen quite a few old 60's TV series lately and they have failed to charm me the way they did when I was a child. The Avengers was however a very surprising find!

I am very impressed with the way these episodes hold up after over 30 years. The scripts are well written, the relationship between Steed and Mrs Peel is perfect, and the fruity enchange of banter between them a delight. The sound is very good and the picture quite extraordinary.

Yes, it is a shame that there weren't some juicy extras on the disc, but don't let that put you off buying them. My own personal thrill was seeing the Saracen FV603 (an English military vehicle) in Mission Highly Improbable, as I am about to buy one!

Tara King enters as Emma Peels off stage
'The Avengers" was a popular 1960's British fantasy-adventure series that focused on the exploits of a male-female duo in the service of the British government. The series underwent several changes of its female lead but its one constant male lead was John Steed always portrayed by the debonair Patrick Macnee (Originally the John Steed had two male partners but that format eventually changed). Kathy portrayed by Honor Blackman became Steed's first female partner. However, when Honor Blackman departed the series and Diana Rigg entered as Mrs. Emma Peel, the show became an international sensation. Rigg brought sophistication, wit, charm and beauty, which hid her lethal and highly visual judo and karate abilities. Macnee and Rigg complemented each other beautifully with their carefree witty and charming exchange of dialogue. The show distinguished itself with bizarre and futuristic villains and fantastic plots. Popular at the height of the James Bond craze, the show was able to distinguish itself with its simply over-the-top visual style. Laurie Johnson's catchy and sophisticated main title theme matched the visuals of the show and still conjures up an image of the series when listened to today. When Diana Rigg left the series, Linda Thorson entered as John Steed's new partner Tara King. The series soon went off the air in the United States. It was a shame because the episodes with Tara King were quite good. The King episodes seemed to be a little more down to earth and contained some very good writing and intricate plotting. In any event series definitely left its mark amongst the finest. These DVD copies are gorgeous. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The Best of the Bunch
The very best Morse ever. The riddle: why do you hide a body so carefully that no one can ever find it, and then leave the victim's bookbag carelessly along the side of the road?

Wonderful !!!
I am lucky in that I used to live in Oxford, so when I watch Morse I know exactly where He is but the filming of this took place mostly in Whytham Woods, a place very near to where I lived but only visited once. I also am aquainted with the real people the main roles were based on. I got so sucked into the plot that I half belived it was the real people I know that were the villians!! For me this film is a " must see" but then all morse films in my view are "to die for"! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Typical excellence - and one extra feature
A painter dies mysteriously, and various interests including his father, his erstwhile model and a mysterious rich man all seem to have something to do with it. Typically excellent fare from the Morse team, with the great John Thaw (a national resource, and his death from cancer was a dreadful loss) in typically grumpy and expressive form as Morse, and gorgeous, sunlit English landscapes - in Morse's England it practically never rains (not that I mind). But I hope you don't mind my saying that it is something else that makes this one episode absolutely unforgettable for me: the mysterious model - a single mother living a life of squalor in one of Morse's few genuine slum dwellings - is Nicola Cowper, a little-known English actress who is probably the most beautiful thing I have ever seen in my life. She simply burns on the screen like a flame. One does not wonder that one character is troubled by her almost to his death, and that another is willing to pay for her favours. But even if you do not share my taste for small, exquisite, intense women, you will still not regret buying this episode. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The Love of His Life
How could any Inspector Morse fan resist this one for the ultimate in romantic poignancy? It begins with a startled look on Morse's face when he realizes the dead body belongs to the husband of his lover who broke his heart (and ruined his university career) by leaving him many years ago. It ends with Sergeant Lewis protecting his partner with a touching loyalty expressed through subtly phrased lines. Susan Fallon (Joanna David) is the lovely, accomplished blonde with whom we would imagine Morse falling in love (and surely never completely out of love.) Despite Morse's usual ill temper and irritation with the world, we forgive him his faults in those scenes when his blue eyes soften and tear with the pain of loving this woman. (Haven't we all loved and lost?) The script skillfully balances the dark side of human nature and its need for revenge with the hope that no matter how much we lose, love can still endure. This is a special episode to be savored many times for its intimate glimpses into our favorite detective's heart. And, yes, he wears it on his sleeve with a resonance only the late John Thaw could deliver.

Morse loves and loses... or does he?
This one, penned by the always reliable Daniel Boyle (who also wrote "Second Time Around" and "Deadly Slumber" among others), has to be one of the best Morse episodes. True, it would most certainly make Morse purists shudder because its plot developments are inconsistent with the Morse character as he is developed in the novels (in the novel "The Riddle of the Third Mile," which was later adapted for television as "The Last Enemy," refers to a character named Wendy who was Morse's lost love back at school; in "Dead on Time" this lost love of Morse's is named Susan). And true, the plot developments are at times illogical. But, this film's plot is only secondary; what is of primary importance is the character of Morse and the kind of sensitivity John Thaw gives this character when he is confronted with this, perhaps his most emotionally charged case. The plot: Morse is called to investigate the apparant suicide of Oxford don Henry Fallon. To make things complicated, the investigation leads Morse to suspect that the suicide was indeed murder set up to look like suicide. To make things more complicated, Henry Fallon was the husband of Susan Fallon, the woman Morse was engaged to so many years ago. To top off all these complications, there is a reemergence of feeling on the part of Morse, a rekindling of this love that he once had. You throw into the mix a bit of Shubert, some hard detective work by Lewis, an uneaten chocolate digestive in Strange's dest, and what you have is vintage Morse. Kudos to John Thaw, as always. He's a marvel and a skilled actor, capable of portraying a Morse that is both angry and tender. Buy this already. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

"He admitted it, Morse. Why would he do that?!"
"Second Time Around" is quite possibly the best of the 33 "Inspector Morse" episodes. If you're a fan of the series and don't own it yet, then you should consider it a must-have. If you're new to the series - start here.

An old police detective is murdered while writing his memoirs. A suspect, Frederick Redpath, is brought-in for questioning. Morse and another chief inspector on the case, Dawson, recognize the man as a suspect from a child murder case from over a decade ago. Dawson becomes heavily involved in the new case, and Morse and his sergeant, Lewis, are trying to work at it from their own angle.

There is conflict, emotion, heartache, introspection, and mystery aplenty in "Second Time Around", and all of these factors come together to help make the episode a real treat. The direction is wonderful, and the acting is amazing. John Thaw, as usual, excels as Morse, and Kevin Whately does well as the ever-faithful Lewis. Oliver Ford Davies, an underrated gem of an actor, is convincing as the troubled Redpath, but the real star of this story is Kenneth Colley (famous from the first "Star Wars" trilogy) as Chief Inspector Dawson. Probably one of the best characters ever to grace the Morse series.

"Inspector Morse" is one of my all-time favorite television shows, and this episode is simply tremendous. It encompasses the best aspects of the series: an introspective Morse, a haunting murder case, great guest stars, and sorrowful music from Puccini ('Senza Mamma' from Suor Angelica). This is simply the best of "Morse". Don't pass it up.

Inspector Morse
Inspector Morse shines in this film, as always. It's one of the most fascinating Morses ever made. This film leaves you guessing until the end.

Memoirs of Inspector Morse
This episode of the Morse series provides the viewer with some insight into the development of Morse's character.

The death of senior police office shortly after his retirement celebration sets the scene of a murder investigation which departs from the immediate concern of his murder to become a much broader investigation which encompasses an 18 year old unresolved murder mystery which Morse was involved in.

In this rather unusual Morse there are some exemplarary performances notably from Pat Heywood (RootInto Europe) and Oliver Ford Davies (who would later co-star with Thaw in the sublime series, Kavanagh Q.C.). What distinguishes this particular Morse from the others is the degree of personal involvement shown by Morse. Despite his usual disspassionate, academic approach. Morse cannot resist responding to the friction from his old colleague who found success following his mentor, the Deputy Chief Police Commissioner to London. Also there is a heightened sensitivity shown by Morse to the case of the young girl, murdered many years earlier.

There are the usual twists and turns but in particular the scenes where the long suffering suspect of the child's death is finally completely cleared of any involvement. At that point the latest suspect is mentioned only for the first accused to fiercely criticise the police for their continued incompetence.

The conclusion to the story is a tragic scene wherein Morse confronts the killer with the evidence of his guilt. At that juncture the viwere is faced with sympathy with the killer's motive for the crime only to discover that the man who was killed was doing so protecting his child's life in just the same way that the murderer is revenging his.

Here the extent of Morse's involvement is revealed and one of the lasting impressions we have is the depth of tremendous sadness in his eyes.

This episode shows us the emotional side of Morse in many different ways. The storyline is supported in this regard by a stellar performance of Kevin Whately who gives vent to his frustrations with what he perceives to be Morse's attitude and verbally lashes him, only to discover later that he was wrong and very sheepishly apologises. Morse is magnanimous in his acceptance of the apology and moves on.

All around a very polished performance and an enthralling whodunit in the very best traditions of the genre. A+++

One of the Best
Not counting those adaptations based on actual Dexter novels, "Second Time Around" may well be the best single episode in an almost continuously excellent series. The strengths of the series are here in abundance: compelling plots, tight direction, interesting characters, and, unlike a few of the later episodes, a denouement that not only make senses and is unrushed but that has real emotional and psychological impact as well. Thaw and Whately are in top form, the best one-two punch in crime fiction since Holmes and Watson. This episode is also an excellent example of one of the thematic preoccupations of this series: middle-age melancholy and the toll it sometimes takes.

"Second Time Around" is yet another example of the superb work of John Thaw as Morse--even in those episodes which lack the usual tension and bite, Thaw's Morse is an astounding presence, irritable, acidic, vulnerable, funny, pompous, and compelling, by turns, and thoroughly, entertainingly, convincing. For those unfamiliar with the series, here is a good place to start. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Sleuthing out something I saw in this Video
In the scene where the blonde lady whose husband is up for the job and he tells her how VERY important it is to him, as a result of which she consents to the rather distasteful proposal of the horrid little man who apparently has the power to see that her husband gets it, she is wearing a blue sweater of intricate cable design. I want to get a picture of it. this is not my first endeavour (is that really Morse's first name?) but I have had no luck, so while this is perhaps the wrong forum, I am posting it in the hope that someone out there shares my fascination with this pattern and will contact me.

Eaton is now his producer
The worst thing to happen to the Inspector Morse series was to have Rebecca Eaton of WGBH in Boston come on board to meddle with the production of these superlative series. She has a singularly unique grasp of the superficial that defies any but the best to add depth and subtlety to storytelling. Nearly alone, she justifies cutting the funding for Public Broadcasting.
In nay case, the main crime she perpetrates here is to excise the detail that Morse, in the course of the book, learns that he has diabetes, and in Colin Dexter's hands, the great detective manages to turn sombre news about himself into a key way to solve the mystery of the murders herein, much as he attacks the crosswords or leaves a brilliant clue as to his Christian name. eaton will have none of that subtlety and plays it straight like Angela Lansbury's "Murder, She Wrote."
More's the pity for the cast assembled here deliver an acting performance of consummate skill and finesse. The character, Clixby Beam, is as evil a character as ever encountered in Morse, and he is not the murderer! Whately and Thaw are positively brilliant all the way through. Morse finally manages a successful love affair with Adele Cecil, who will inspire him through these epochal episodes of his career.
There is less of a reference to classical music in this story, except for Adele's tacit preference for Wagner, which pleases Morse terrifically. This was in fact the episode woven with the fabric of Wagner's TRISTAN AND ISOLDE, but to expect Eaton to have picked that up would have been thoroughly unrealistic. She got the point of the importance of PARSIFAL to THE REMORSEFUL DAY, but how could you miss with Dexter's direct references to Hans Knappertsbusch.
Anyway, this is a great story that rises above the interference by an American producer. It is always interesting to observe how the Morse series portrayed the Americans. The shoe fits so compellingly. Adds a bit of irony to how wrong Eaton and her lot missed the subtle details in Dexter's stories and thereby in Morse's thinking.
I'd highly recommend this DVD, as I would all in the series. Certainly television has rarely risen to this standard, and when you consider how empty the bloated calories of current public and commercial TV are these days, this is a drama to be savoured and mulled over for ages.

Mystery and Love
Inspector Morse shines in this film, as always. There is a slight twist at the end, and we have a rare glimpse of romance for Morse. The main characters have complicated love lives which all seem to intertwine and make the story very interesting. Morse is his staight-forward self, staying focused and solving the mystery at the end. very good viewing. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Wonderful Fun
I love Inspector Morse and watch it everytime I get a chance. This episode of the series was the best because the story kept me guessing. Plus it had Sean Bean in it. He plays a fun charsimatic character. You will really enjoy this, I know I did.

Absolute Conviction
A perfect Morse adventure. Plenty of twists & puzzles with an unusal backdrop. A modern English prison with a female Governor; 3 partners, all in the same prison one of whom is murdered & Morse is called in. One of Colin Dexter's very best. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

More than just a who-done-it
The highlight of this episode is Phyllis Logan. She does a good job of being an ordinary person. You never "see" Lady Felsham in her character. One amusing part of the story is the ceaseless lampooning of academia using the theme of fund raising at Oxford. The basic detective story involves multiple murders and the ways the murderers use to escape justice or receive it themselves by what could be judged as divine guidance of the affairs of mortals.

Morse vs The Women
"The Daughters of Cain" is one of the most clever of all Inspector Morse's adventures. Not only is he up against three women with a deadly purpose, he is somewhat sidetracked by the seductive one of the trio, Ms. Kay Brooks. The mature Morse pitted against a gorgeous girl "on the game" who is half his age? We have lots of sidelines (all of which fit nicely with the plot) like the political correctness of university fundraising, a teenage hoodlum in love, drug dealing, a terminal illness, spousal abuse, and the Ashmolean in danger of being burglarized! This one is sexy and cool, expertly delivered. And no one can express disillusionment (and touch our hearts) like the forthright Sergeant Lewis.

Women Outsmart Morse
The beauty of this story is that Morse acknowledges he is being outwitted by three interesting women. The plot starts in such a simple way with an unlikely friendship between a cleaning lady and a teacher. When it progresses to include a high priced girl "on the game", Morse becomes entranced as well as baffled. Everything works here - the writing, the directing, the acting. Morse is intrigued and so are we. Our wonderfully honorable Sergeant Lewis struggles with the politics of police work, disillusioned and hurting. Thaw and Watley have excellence to work with in this episode and they pull it off with exceptional skill.

Daughters of Cain
A thoroughly well-crafted and intriguing mystery. Though the focus is on "payback" by women, the wonders of figuring out how and when the deadly deed was committed, make for a great film-watching journey for any Morse or mystery lover. Performances are especially well-given and the cast is a little larger than usual. I especially liked the Shakespearean themes interwoven. The Lady MacBeth touches are irresistible. If you like good plotting this is for you. There's always a side story going on about the lives of Morse and Lewis. In this one, Lewis faces some career challenges. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Early outing for Steed
For all the fans of The Avengers familiar with the Emma Peel/Tara King era of the show, these early episodes featuring Cathy Gale and Venus Smith may come as something of a disappointment. In fact, fans of the later shows may find it hard to believe that they are even part of the same TV series!

After the initial run of 26 episodes featuring Police Surgeon David Keel and his cohort John Steed had aired in the UK in 1961/62, the producers of the program opted to bring Steed to the forefront of the action and give him a number of different "assistants." Thus, for season two, 26 further episodes were made and broadcast in 1962/63 featuring Steed abetted by Martin King, Venus Smith or Cathy Gale. Mrs. Gale turned out to be the most popular and successful foil for the suave agent, and the other characters did not return after season two. Unlike the later Peel/King stories which were all made on film, these studio based TV shows are much more reliant on dialogue and plot than visual elements, and can be somewhat heavy going as a result.

A&E is releasing these stories in a somewhat confusing order, and has started with season three. The first two sets released, Avengers 64 1 & 2, feature the LAST six episodes of season three. Next comes Avengers 63 sets 1 & 2 which comprises of the first half of the season. Next up in the release order is 63 sets 3 & 4 which precede 1 & 2 in running order and in fact feature the last seven stories from season two, plus the first from season three. Confused? Ultimately, it doesn't really matter, since thankfully there's no real reason to watch the stories in chronological order anyway.

What is interesting is the development of the production standards. 63 sets 3 & 4, featuring the latter stories from season two, are far more rudimentary in terms of production quality. The sets are extremely small and sparse; The direction very slap-hazard; Camera work shoddy; Sound is extremely poor; and the acting is negligible. With no budget for editing or reshooting, all the actor's fluffs and goofs stayed in. Steed's character is far less suave and sophisticated then he became later during his familiar role alongside Mrs. Peel, and the relationship with Mrs. Gale in particular is at first downright hostile with very little warmth between the two. He seems to get along much better with Miss Venus Smith, a night club singer who he engages at various gigs to act as his eyes and ears. Venus is a very odd character, and played strangely, but enthusiastically by Julie Stevens. She looks about 12, sings like she's forty, and dresses like anything in between. She also seems extremely naïve and it's hard to imagine why Steed engages her to help him at all. The far more intelligent and elegant Mrs. Gale does eventually warm up to Steed, and in the season three stories where she is the exclusive companion to him, their relationship develops nicely and they become much warmer and closer to each other.

The production values on season three are also much better than the earlier episodes. The sets became larger and more elaborate. The direction, lighting and sound improved greatly and the acting was much less wooden. Some editing was clearly allowed on these later stories, whereas the earlier ones clearly were broadcast as if they were live. There's a terrific blunder in "Six hands across a table," where Cathy is called "Ros" in one scene, and both actors realize the mistake, but keep going. An even better goof comes in "Concerto" when Nigel Stock forgets his lines completely and a very audible prompt is given from off camera. Terrific stuff.

The quality of the DVD's is somewhat disappointing, even accounting for the age of the material and the production values mentioned above. It may not be the case, but it certainly appears that A&E have made no attempt whatsoever to re-master the original tapes, and the flaws, jumps, scratches and sound blips are too numerous to mention. Virtually every episode on 63 sets 3 & 4 are hampered by picture and sound flaws and defects. Things do improve for 63 1 & 2 and 64 1 & 2, but the quality is still disappointing. Mind you, it appears they have done nothing to clean up the Tara King episodes either!

As a big fan of the series, I wouldn't even consider not having these episodes in my collection, but if you're looking for the wacky camp humor and the tele-fantasy of the Peel/King eras, these stories may not be for you.

Steed gets into trouble - Cathy keeps him in line
Join the elegantly ruthless John Steed and the brilliant and beautiful Mrs. Cathy Gale, as they battle villians nefariously nasty and dispicably dangerous. They are THE AVENGERS! Television's first fully formidable male/female companionship. These episodes are from 1964, Honor Blackman's 2nd and last season. These episodes, while technically inferior to the Diana Rigg episodes, are every bit as stylish and admirable.

In volume one, we have "The White Elephant" and fan favorite "The Little Wonders". In "The White Elephant", Steed and Cathy investigate the dissapearance of a rare albino elephant, and cage a group of ivory smugglers. This episode did have potential, but unfortunately its a bit average. It does however, feature an assortment of exotic animals including a monkey, leopard, but no elephant. In "The Little Wonders", Steed goes undercover as a vicar in order to infiltrate a gang of religous racketeers, while Cathy plays with dolls. A nice plot and writing make up for the average direction. Featuring the only kiss between Steed and Cathy, and Lois Maxwell (a.k.a. Miss Moneypenny) as a macinegun-toting nun. It's just a great deal of fun.

In volume two, we have two of the best episodes. The effectively harrowing "The Wringer", and the delighfully enjoyable "Mandrake". In "The Wringer", six of seven agents using a certain pipeline have been killed, so Steed sets out to find the seventh. When he does, he is accused of killing the six agents and is subject to interrogation at the hands of "The Wringer". Extremly harrowing episode features a very different feel, outstanding performances, and masterful direction. Also, Cathy's surprising feelings for Steed are touching. In "Mandrake", mysterious grave undertakings at Cornwall cemetary lead Steed and Cathy to a sinister inheritance plot. This episode features all the best AVENGERS elements: a shifty-eyed (literally) diabolical mastermind, a mad doctor, merry widows, and tons of corpses. It could have been an Emma Peel episode. Also features one of the best fights of the series between Cathy and a thug in a graveyard.

In volume three, there's "The Secrets Broker", and "The Trojan Horse". In "The Secrets Broker", it becomes apparent that a wily wine merchant and a devious medium are involved in a plot to sell ministry secrets. This episode is really very dull, as it focuses on an illicit love affair rather than on Steed and Cathy's investigations. In "The Trojan Horse", Steed gallops to the stables as he investigates a prominent stable that's become a haven for hoods in training, while Cathy becomes a syndicate bookie for a gambling orginization as it starts closing the book on prominant politicians. Cathy's bookie numbers delivery is alone worth the price of admission, and the script is also good. But nothing else really stands out here.

Well, die-hard fans will be pleased with this delightful package, but be warned, the quality leaves abit to be desired. But if you're in the mood for intelligent storylines, kinky fashions, and brutal action THE AVENGERS '64 is what you're looking for!

John Steed and Kathy Gale
'The Avengers" was a popular 1960's British fantasy-adventure series that focused on the exploits of a male-female duo in the service of the British government. The series underwent several changes of its female lead but its one constant male lead was John Steed always portrayed by the debonair Patrick Macnee (Originally the John Steed had two male partners but that format eventually changed). Kathy Gale portrayed by Honor Blackman became Steed's first female partner. However, when Honor Blackman (of "Goldfinger" fame) departed the series and Diana Rigg entered as Mrs. Emma Peel, the show became an international sensation. Rigg brought sophistication, wit, charm and beauty, which hid her lethal and highly visual judo and karate abilities. Macnee and Rigg complemented each other beautifully with their carefree witty and charming exchange of dialogue. The show distinguished itself with bizarre and futuristic villains and fantastic plots. Popular at the height of the James Bond craze, the show was able to distinguish itself with its simply over-the-top visual style. Laurie Johnson's catchy and sophisticated main title theme matched the visuals of the show and still conjures up an image of the series when listened to today. When Diana Rigg left the series, Linda Thorson entered as John Steed's new partner Tara King. The series soon went off the air in the United States. It was a shame because the episodes with Tara King were quite good. The King episodes seemed to be a little more down to earth and contained some very good writing and intricate plotting. In any event series definitely left its mark amongst the finest. These DVD copies are gorgeous.

Steel Leather and an Umbrella Cathy?
If you really relish a series like "Honey West," "Peter Gunn" or "77 Sunset Strip" you no doubt know about the content of what you are getting. You are more likely concerned about the quality of the product. How it looks and sounds? Like John Steed (Patrick Macnee) might say to Cathy Gale (Honor Blackman), "You scratch my back and I'll scratch your back. Just watch the hat please. Be a good girl and turn on the TV." John and Cathy Gale are back and are here to stay via DVD technology. Being on DVD, the aesthetics about the actual episodes are not in question here. More appropriately one may ask again, how do they look? They look good, very good indeed Steed.

Bug in this release
I would enjoy this Avengers '64 set a lot more if it didn't have the insect walking around on the screen throughout major portions of the transfer to DVD.

Try as hard as I like to swat the insect away, it won't go.

No, I'm not kidding.

There's a bug walking around on the screen in this one.

Quite distracting! ... Read more

Amazon.com

This 1988 British telefilm from the second series of the long-running mystery Inspector Morse sends Morse (John Thaw), that cultured curmudgeon of a police detective, on the six-month-old case of a missing schoolgirl. "She's dead," he proclaims, dismissing the case as a dead end and a waste of time, but true to form he investigates with his trademark relentlessness and uncovers something he didn't expect--a conspiracy at the girl's private school resulted in murder.

Still early in the series (it lasted until The Remorseful Day in2000), we find Morse still getting comfortable with his young partner.Sergeant Lewis (Kevin Whately) is a family man who would rather head home at the end of the day than drink a pint with his partner. Morse is up to his old tricks, sneaking scotch in coffee mugs at crime scenes and taking beer breaks, and Thaw plays the loner detective without a hint of self-consciousness. And in the best tradition of British TV mysteries, this crime is solved not with shootouts or car chases, but by relentless investigation and sheer brainpower (helped along by a couple of pints of ale). Elizabeth Hurley (Austin Powers) and Julia Sawalha (Saffron from Absolutely Fabulous) have small parts as schoolgirls questioned by Morse and Lewis. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Inspector Morse : "Last Seen Wearing"
If you own this episode on VHS there is no reason to purchase the DVD version. I am a big Inspector Morse fan and find this to be one of the better episodes but the DVD itself is horrible.
I cannot believe how a show as popular as Inspector Morse can be turned into such a shoddy DVD. The DVD contains no extras (although some newer episodes do contain laughable text trivia, ha!) The transfer is mediocre at best, and lastly the packaging is cheap. I recently purchased "Brideshead Revisited" on DVD, wonderful transfer, wonferful packaging, many extras including a booklet. Is it really too much to ask that the series be treated with a little respect, how about some extras behind the scenes footage? a director or author voice over? maybe an interview with some of the surviving cast? Its just dreadful in every respect. I can only hope the series is issued again by a company with more taste.

Another horrible transfer!
I am sure that many of the Ispector's fans waited impatiently for the series to be released on DVD. I made a fatal mistake of selling my VHS collection.
Beware! This transfer is a disaster!
Conclusion: Stick to your VHS for now!
Note: same thing with Brother Cadfael DVDs. Is it the London fog or what?

The first Morse I remember seeing, a good one
This is the first Morse story that I can actually remember seeing and as with all of the others it is a good story well worth watching. I would say that even a person who doesn't think they'd like an English murder mystery should try it. I would never have recognized Elizabeth Hurley in an early role as a school girl, Julia Sawalha(also present) was more appealing to me.

Elizabeth Hurley as a schoolgirl......
with a funky complexion, thick eyebrows, & thicker ankles! This your usual Inspector Morse mystery. He's grumpy, and always ready to have a good pint of Real Ale, and ready to have his sergeant pay for that pint. The real surprise here was seeing Hurley. She probably doesn't want this seen, but hey, a cygnet becomes a swan, right?

Excellent plot line and fine acting....
LAST SEEN WEARING was one of the first dramatizations of the BBC/PBS series of 33 episodes based on the character of Endeavor Morse, Detective Chief Inspector of the Thames Valley Police Department--serving the city of Oxford in England. LSW is actually based on one of the 13 books Dexter wrote, and contains a clever and complex plot. I think I'm fairly intelligent, and I read many mysteries, but I will say, I was baffled by this story. I read the book first, and recommend you do too.

The storyline is this--a young girl who is a day student at a private girl's school fails to come home one day. The police are called in to find the girl. Six months later, the girl is still missing and Morse is put on the case. He tells Sargeant Lewis, "She's dead." "Why do you say that Sir?" says Lewis. Morse replies, "Because I'm the three-file man. They bring me in when there are three files, and when there are three files, someone's gone missing too long." So the first mystery is this, is the girl alive as Lewis says, or is she dead as Morse insists??

If she is dead, who killed her? The headmaster of the school has been behaving suspiciously. His wife thinks his actions are odd. The assistant head mistress seems to have some knowledge she is keeping under wraps. And then there's the father who has access to all sorts of earth-moving equipment--and he's her stepfather after all and a wealthy one at that. On the other hand, one of the male instructors quit quite recently, around the time when the young girl disappeared. He moved onto a lower paying job in another school. Why would he do that?

For regular fans of BBC/PBS drama and comedy, the cast is filled with many familiar faces. Julia Sawhalia ("Absolutely Fabulous" and "Pride and Prejudice") and Hugh Grant's old girl friend (Estee Lauder model) play students. "As Time Goes By" fans will recognize the actor who plays Alistair. In LSW he plays the young male teacher who recently vacated his job at the private school where the female student disappeared.

The DVD is excellent. The shots of the English countryside are wonderful. The crisp clear photography reveals the black circles under Morse's eyes (he has a little alcohol problem) as well as the 20 layers of dirty green paint on the long corridor in the old police headquarters building. This is vintage stuff. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Compared to the rest- this was a major disappointment.
Those two stars out of five go to the brilliant acting abilities of Mr. Brett and Mr. Hardwicke, the only things next to the dog that kept this film from being more disappointing that it already was. But before I start, please remember, Grenada may have soiled the Sign of Four, but this is truly their only blunder. They do great justice to the rest of the series.

First of all, the film's beginning. Next to the murder and mystery, The Sign of Four is most well known for the introduction to our favorite detective's rather surprising vice. The occasional (I say occasional because throughout the majority of the Sherlock Holmes stories it is indeed on occasion. In The Sign of Four, Watson says something of "three times a day for a month.") use of the narcotic, cocaine. They exclude that completely. I have been told that they do infact include it somewhere in the Grenada television series, but I was exceedingly disappointed to not see it in this film. On the note of cocaine, the last few lines of the novel were very clever. After Inspector Jones takes all the credit for the work of Holmes and Watson, Mr. Watson says something along the lines of, "You have done all the work in this business. I get a wife out of it, Jones gets the credit, pray what remains for you?" For me, said Sherlock Holmes, "there still remains the cocaine-bottle." Instead, Mr. Holmes simply falls asleep.

Besides that let down, this film manages to make one of the, if not THE most suspenseful chase scenes in all of English literature very, very boring. No, "Pile it on, men, pile it on!" cried Holmes, looking down into the engine-room, while the fierce glow from below beat upon his eager, aquiline face. "Get every pound of steam you can." or, "See here," said Holmes, pointing to the wooden hatchway. "We were hardly quick enough with our pistols." There, sure enough, just behind where we had been standing, stuck one of those murderous darts which we knew so well." Just a slow, average boat chase for this film.

Another great, and extremely important part left out by the film version of the