Description

"18 million viewers tuned into the super-length detective series." - The Times

A Touch of Frost is one of Britain's most successful detective series and stars award-winning actor David Jason as Detective Inspector Jack Frost, a policeman with a knack for attracting trouble. Set in the dreary town of Denton, Frost approaches each case with his characteristic dry wit and a sense of moral justice. A Touch of Frost Season One includes:

In "Care and Protection," Frost investigates a missing child case, as his terminally ill wife languishes in bed. A chance digging turns up a 30 year-old skeleton chained to a strongbox. A former bank employee with links to the strongbox is murdered and Frost must find his killer.

In "Not with Kindness," Frost grieves for his recently deceased wife, whose visiting sister from the States makes his life unbearable. Frost searches for a missing teenager and a victim of threatening phone calls wakes in the night to find her home engulfed in flames.

In "Conclusions," an elderly man is killed in a hit-and-run that involves a prominent local official's son. A casino is robbed of the night's takings. An armed and dangerous fugitive takes a pair of hostages.

Episodes: Care and Protection Not with Kindness Conclusions ... Read more

Reviews (4)

3 3/4 stars for thoroughly enjoyable British police drama
This is similar in vein to the better American police television dramas. A detective is confronted with several cases that intertwine, along with clues that at first tend to mislead, but later, when better interpreted, bring loose ends together. The acting, character development, pace and story development hold attention most of the time. If you enjoy detective dramas with a British twist, add this one to your list.

A First-Rate British Detective Series!
A Touch of Frost is an outstanding British mystery series, and it is high time it was released on DVD. This set contains the entire first series--three 100-minute episodes entitled "Care and Protection", "Not with Kindness", and "Conclusions." At the time of writing, series two is also available (for preordering), and I only hope that the video company will see fit to release the entire series.

David Jason (Only Fools and Horses, The Darling Buds of May, Open All Hours, Micawber), who personally is one of my favourite British actors, stars as Jack Frost, a dedicated, single-minded detective inspector with a nose for ferretting out criminals. Frost is a bit like a dog with a bone when he sets his mind on something, and he doesn't worry too much about letting little things like rules, procedures, tactfulness, or even legality get in the way of finding out the truth--if he can get away with it, that is. This is a man whose loathing for the criminal element--for those who hurt or destroy the lives of others--verges on the personal. At the very least, his dedication to duty is more than just a job for him, it's his whole life--his raison d'etre. Certainly, his personal life suffers greatly from his dedication--indeed obsession--with his work.

The series opens with Frost's wife on her deathbed. Even in such a situation (perhaps, indeed, because of it--for Frost does not handle personal tragedy well), he is unable to spend the time at his wife's side that is expected. While this may sound rather morbid and depressing, I must emphasize that overall the series is not. Certainly, the crimes that are committed are serious and tragic, but like the Inspector Morse series (a series with which this one compares well), the episodes are punctuated by quite a healthy dose of humour, and like Morse it is primarily character humour. In other words, it arises out of the idiosyncrasies in the inspector's character, which become more apparent as we become more familiar with the character. In Frost's case, apart from his questionable tactics, he's extremely disorderly, and his dedication to his work is matched only by his loathing for paperwork--a trait which often has him at odds with his punctilious boss, Superintendent Mullett. Indeed, Frost is perennially ducking into doorways or skipping out of the office in attempts to avoid the unwelcome confrontations. One thing Frost does not have, unlike Inspector Morse, is a regular "Sergeant Lewis" in tow; rather, he has a different sergeant assigned to him for almost every episode.

One aspect which, in my opinion, makes A Touch of Frost such a good series is the powerful punch of irony that usually occurs at the end of each episode. Often one can really sympathise with the killer or at the very least understand his or her motivation. Sometimes we find that it's one trifling incident--someone in the wrong place at the wrong time--or a petty misunderstanding that sets the wheels in motion for a tragic outcome. Often it seems that the bringing of the criminal to justice is the greatest injustice.

In conclusion, this is a well-acted and an extremely well-written mystery series--one with quite hard-hitting stories, thus making the comic relief all the more welcome. It is a series which I recommend very highly to fans of British mysteries in particular--if you enjoy shows like Inspector Morse, for example, or have enjoyed PBS's erstwhile Mystery! series, I'm sure you'll enjoy this one. I would, however, go so far as to recommend this series to anyone looking for a superior quality mystery series, British or otherwise. Personally, I've always wondered why it was never made a part of PBS's Mystery! series, for it was certainly worthy of inclusion.

The real thing
I am a huge fan of English cozy mysteries but am fast running out of shows. So, I decided to try something a little more serious and "A Touch of Frost" sounded interesting so I took a chance.

What first struck me when watching it was how real everything looked. David Jason, in the title role, looks like a real cop, the town looks like a real town and the people act like real people. The situations are dramatic but you always believe in the characters.

Frost is a sloppy, intelligent, gruff and thoroughly likable character in spite of, or maybe because of, his rough edges. The mysteries are literate and manage to get their point across without being horrifically graphic. (Though there is violence and some innuendo and a very brief glimpse of a breast, I can't recommend this show for children)

"Care and Protection"- When the young daughter of a local woman goes missing, Frost is called in. Relieved, since he is dealing with a terminally ill wife, Frost sets to work. But when a decades old corpse with a severed arm and a suitcase attached is discovered during the search for the girl, Frost finds himself dealing with two cases at once. In this episode, he is teamed up with the fairly amiable but spoiled nephew of the superintendant. Very good episode that deals with the triple drain on Frost's emotions, his dying wife, a cold case he didn't want and the missing child whose chances for survival decrease as time passes.

"Not With Kindness"- Following the death of his wife, Frost is at odds with her Americanized sister. Meanwhile, a papergirl's body is discovered in a graveyard and she may or may not be a victim of rape. The subplot deals with an affluent couple who are being harassed by phonecalls and and deadly practical jokes. Frost is partnered with an even sloppier career cop who has an irritatingly happy family life. A rather sad episode that deals with the dangers of grief.

"Conclusions"- A fatal hit-and-run leads Frost to the spoiled rotten son of a mamber of parliament. Meanwhile, there has been a robbery at a local casino and an armed and dangerous fugitive is loose in the area. When a patrolman is brutally murdered, the manhunt is on. Frost is partnered with a surley new transfer who has a perfectly rotten homelife and a brooding manner. He's almost too surly for Frost!

I highly recommend this series to all fans of cozies who are ready to try something a little more serious and to any mystery fan, especially if you want something a little more realistsic than is offered in this country.

Unpolished Morse
A British detective series,with Frost playing the role of an
unpolished Morse,who is smart and streetwise.Like Morse,he
doesn't care for paperwork.In the first 2 episodes,his "sidekick"
changes.Each episode is about 100 minutes,so there is good amount
of material for the price. The photography is excellent,and one
gets to see "real" people. Frost Season 2 is to appear shortly.a ... Read more

Amazon.com

The second batch of eight episodes from the wonderful Monarch of the Glen series picks up precisely where Series One left off. Young Archie MacDonald, the London restaurateur forced to assume his role as Laird of Glenbogle--i.e., head of the MacDonald family's 400-year-old, 40,000-acre estate in the Scottish Highlands--has finally taken to his immense responsibility with seriousness of purpose and no little family pride. His cantankerous father, Hector (Richard Briers), long estranged from Archie and once bitter about asking his son to save the financially strapped estate, has gracefully accepted his own change in fortunes but now runs little ploys to maintain a semblance of aristocratic privilege. (In one near-slapstick episode, Hector and his old friend Kilwillie, played by Julian Fellowes, try to hide a valuable barrel of malt liquor from Archie, who is trying to profit from every MacDonald asset.)

Archie's efforts to keep Glenbogle solvent include turning the estate into a sprawling museum and renting the place out for weddings. The tricky bit is that Glenbogle is also a home and touchstone for the MacDonald's appealing staff and friends, and there will always be someone upset about changes in the status quo. Monarch continues to be as much about lovable, boneheaded Duncan (Hamish Clark), the MacDonald's all-purpose assistant; the sexy, strong-willed Lexie (Dawn Steele); grizzled Golly (Alexander Morton); and schoolteacher Katrina (Lorraine Pilkington), whose dodgy, romantic ambivalence toward Archie wears a little thin but finally settles into a promising groove.The radiant Susan Hampshire (The Forsyte Saga) has more to do in this set of stories and thus shines brighter as Archie's intriguing mother. Equally lovely are spectacular views of Highlands scenery: amazing castles, romantic vistas. One wants to stay forever. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Monarch of the Glen series
This British series is fantastic! I can't wait for season 3 and 4 to be sold in America. It is very funny, has romance, beautiful scenery, great characters that you get to know in depth. People of all ages will love it. My college age niece, my 80 year old mother, myself, my brother-in-law and sister all enjoyed watching it equally. Now that is something ot talk about! I wish they would show this series on A and E TV so more people would be exposed. It ranks up there with my favorite miniseries, "Pride and Prejudice".

even better
The second season of MONARCH is just as good as, if not better, than the first. This is one of those rare series where you care about every single character, so no matter which character is the focus of the episode you are right there rooting for them. Hector is as cantakerous and lovable as ever, and even surprising at one point. Molly is another surprise, as usual, shrewd one minute and air-headed the next. When she is around, you know everything will be all right. Archie, one of the few sane ones in the bunch, struggles and stumbles along, like most of us. The romantic obstacles get to be a bit much between him and his love interest(s). I guess they would have been easier to take once a week than all at once. All the 'supporting players' are strong enough to be the stars of the show, and sometimes they are. And there are some new people added in. I especially like the expansions into the village. It rounds out the story, placing it in a larger context. These are people you would love to know, to be friends with and to revisit over and over, which is why this DVD, along with its first season, is a definite keeper. ... Read more

Description

"(David) Jason gives Frost the iciness needed for the role…"-- The Los Angeles Daily NewsA Touch of Frost is one of Britain’s most successful detective series and stars award-winning actor David Jason as Detective Inspector Jack Frost, a policeman with a knack for attracting trouble. Set in the dreary town of Denton, Frost approaches each case with his characteristic dry wit and a sense of moral justice. A Touch of Frost Season 6 includes: "Appendix Man" – Reeling from the loss of his former partner, D.C. Barnard, Frost resigns from the force. But, he soon returns to investigate the suspicious death of a reclusive art collector. "One Man’s Meat" – To pay the bills, Frost takes in a renter with a dog. Next, while Frost investigates the death of a homeless teenager, the dismembered arm of a health officer, washes up on the shoreline on the other side of England. "Private Lives" – A peaceful village isn’t all it appears to be. Frost’s new partner checks out a hit-and-run accident that injures an elderly woman. Frost squares an account with an old adversary. "Keys ToThe Car" – A golf club paramour leaves behind a trail of satisfied golf widows, unpaid bar bills and stolen cars. When a drug dealer’s body is found inside the trunk of one of the vehicles, Frost tries to find the connection between the gigolo, the drug dealer and the owner of the stolen car. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Gorgeous to behold, slow to reveal its full charm and intelligence, Monarch of the Glen is not just for Britcom fanatics. Adapted and updated from the so-called "Highland" novels of Compton MacKenzie (author of Sylvia Scarlett), Monarch concerns the crisis of Archie MacDonald (Alistair Mackenzie), a London restaurateur all set (with his girlfriend Justine, played by Anna Wilson-Jones) to open a hip new eatery when he is interrupted by an emergency call from his home in the Scottish Highlands.

There is no emergency, as it turns out, just a gambit by Archie's mother, Molly (the radiant Susan Hampshire), to effect a reconciliation between her son and his cantankerous, relentlessly bitter father, Hector (Richard Briers). The reason: Archie, much to his surprise, must legally assume Hector's longtime role as Laird of Glenbogle, the MacDonalds' 400-year-old, financially strapped 40,000-acre estate. Despite their lengthy estrangement, Hector needs Archie to save the family's honor and assets.

The eight episodes in this first season of Monarch of the Glen find the urbane Archie fiercely resisting his obligation at first, then warming to it as Glenbogle's plight becomes more personal--not just an issue of hereditary leadership but of new attachments to the series' endearing, mildly eccentric characters. Among them is Lexie (Dawn Steele), the estate's sexy, street-smart cook; shy Duncan (Hamish Clark), an underachieving, kilt-wearing handyman; leftist land-reformer Katrina (Lorraine Pilkington), warily circling Duncan as a romantic interest; and avuncular, lovably laconic groundskeeper Golly (Alexander Morton).

Monarch takes a couple of delightful episodes to introduce these good people and establish story particulars and conflicts. But depth and emotional resonance arrive by the third episode (the MacDonalds have their share of repressed, unspoken old agonies) and remain through the last episode's cliffhanger ending. If that's not enough, the spectacular Highlands scenery is pure eye candy: castles, glimmering lakes, misty hills. One never wants to leave, or to see Monarch end. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Charming, Sentimental, Inspiring!
Television shows that can truly warm the heart are hard to find nowadays yet, thanks to the BBC, we now have a stunning example of one that most assuredly can. Monarch of the Glen, whilst probably best described as a drama, is in reality a cleverly constructed blend of drama, romance and, of course, humour. And by humour I do not mean of the American sit-com style (no offence), but rather a charming comedy with formidable wit and an acute sense of irony. This style of comedy is Britain's gift to the world, and it especially suits the British, Irish and Australian sense of humour. Nevertheless, the show is very well written, and its comic undertones should be easily spotted by most viewers.

The show itself is centred around Archie MacDonald, Laird of Glenbogle (and, in the 2nd series, Chief of Clan MacDonald), who abandons his London lifestyle to return to his ancestral home in the West Highlands of Scotland. Indeed, it is this conflict that forms the basis of this 1st season and, although Archie ultimately chooses to stay with his family and kinsmen in the glen, he at times appears to yearn for his former life on the Thames. This homesick-whist-at-home contradiction serves to make Archie a complex yet accessible character, at times unsure of where he truly belongs. Add romantic intrigue, and some genuinely lovable supporting characters, and you have in essence the simple brilliance of this show. Of the support characters, for me the standouts must surely be the ever bushy-tailed Lexie, the delightfully dotty Molly (Susan Hampshire at her most winsome), and that dependable old highlander, Golly MacKenzie.

As a series, Monarch of the Glen possesses a charm rarely found on modern television and, whilst the mood is for the most part light and funny, many scenes are surprisingly moving. The emphasis on clanship and the bonds of family and homeland are unashamedly sentimental, and the ruggedly beautiful highland landscape is simply breath-taking. Conversation between the characters is superbly constructed and, beneath the pleasantries and somewhat misleading appearance of landed gentry, lays the reality of simple, kind-hearted folk, bound together by loyalty and love for one another.

A witty, charming, and heart-warming show, Monarch of the Glen stands as a rare gem in comparison to the formulaic and rigidly structured nature of modern television. It is also presented here on a brilliant DVD, with the widescreen transfer displaying the luscious landscapes of the Scottish Highlands in majestic style. The Dolby Stereo soundtrack is also well mastered and proves more than adequate, as well as being a vast improvement over the audio transfer on the UK Disc.

One of the best TV series ever
Okay, I always find it amusing how only a complete synopsis "review" is deemed as "helpful to you". Fine. Anyone can summarise. But what does that art MEAN to you?

This series means much to me and my partner. I have been Anglophilic for much of my life. I've never experienced such a combination of subtly complex acting, photography, and script. The product is a thing of beauty that, as usual, American television has no idea how to produce. I gave up on our TV years ago.

Beautiful DVD copy, nice clear picture and sound. And this is one series where I couldn't care less about the "extras"- it's that good.

No one has mentioned the music. This has to be one of the many elements that glues this series together, yet stands completely on its own. I can't wait to own the soundtrack as well as the series. If you enjoy anything Scottish/Irish, you'll certainly find the music immensely satisfying. Perfectly blended with the action.

I've seen 3 of the 5 years available, and it only gets better! Unfortunately, this is all we have so far, series 1.
One has to get BBC America, typically, to see the series. Our local station has discontinued running it. Alas, I now feel the same way I did when I had to finish "Lord of the Rings", and say goodbye to characters I had grown to know and love deeply.

In the meantime, go join your local PBS television station, and support these programs being here in the U.S. You'll no doubt find even more than "Monarch" that you'll love.

Can't we go any higher than five?!
There are too few words in the English language to describe this show. The scenery is gorgeous, the cast is top-notch, the plot is engaging, the music is inspiring...and best of all, the show has been recorded to DVD in its entirety, not cut down as it's been to air on BBC America to allow for commercials. If you've ever seen the show on BBCA before, would you believe they hack out about 14 minutes worth of the show ON AVERAGE for commercials? There are many precious scenes -- some essential to your understanding of the storyline, some just plain funny or touching -- that you WILL see if you spend the money on this DVD collection. Disc two has all the extras on it: cast bios, British trailers for the show and a short "Making of Monarch" documentary filmed for British TV. If you even remotely enjoy the show, this set is worth the money.

My only complaint is the ENORMOUSLY long waiting period fans have had to endure before the release of the show on DVD...Series One was filmed back in 1999. Over in the UK, they have recently enjoyed the release of series FOUR on DVD this past year.

Waiting (not so) patiently for the release of Series Two in May.....

An absolute treat
I stumbled across this show on our library's DVD shelf, and I'm hooked. It's a winner in every way. The scenery of the Scottish highlands is unbelievably gorgeous (the first-rate cinematography will do wonders for the Scottish tourism industry!). The characters are layered and REAL ... no cardboard sitcom types in sight. Like all great TV shows, the characters find their way into your heart and stay there, so much so that you feel you know them. Even Justine, Archie's chilly London girlfriend, eventually earned a place in my affection (though not nearly so much as the feisty Katrina and the effervescent Lexie.)

Best of all, the scripts are terrific. They can best be described as comedy, though there are moments of real pathos woven throughout (as in the third episode, when a family tragedy from the past is revealed). The parent-child relationship between Archie and his parents, especially his addled and irascible father, is so authentic and well-developed.

Some episodes on the DVD are more memorable than others; the episode in which Archie's sister comes home, for example, didn't have quite the same sparkle as the others. But it's all relative, and even the least memorable of the eight episodes is leagues beyond what you'll find when you switch on an American sitcom. I've never laughed so hard at a TV show as I did in Episode Two, when Duncan did his Braveheart-style attack on the banker who was trying to muscle in on his girl ... but I'll stop there. Do yourself a favor, pay a visit to Glenbogle, and see for yourself.

Smart and Wonderful
This is a smart and wonderful TV series. I was hooked from the first episode. Clean, funny and brilliant! ... Read more

Amazon.com

"You'll have a bit of fun with this one, Mr. Rumpole," and so will fans of this venerable BBC series. This may not be Horace Rumpole's absolute finest hour (65 minutes, to be exact), but it is his first. John Mortimer introduced his crusty, irrepressible British barrister in this long-lost 1975 television play, originally broadcast as part of the anthology series Play for Today. Leo McKern doesn't portray so much as inhabit Rumpole, as cynical about the justice system ("Crime doesn't pay, but it's a living") as he is passionate about defending his clients; in this case, a sullen black youth accused of stabbing a stranger at a bus stop. Though his wife ("she who must be obeyed") needles him as "an old Bailey hack," he rises to the occasion after determining that there is more to this "20-minute case" than simply "just another boy with a dagger." It's grand fun watching Rumpole get the best of scowling judges and corrupt policemen. Rumpole could very well have been reviewing this episode when he tells his son, Nick, "Sometimes, it goes well... sweet and easy as knocking back a pint of Guinness." -- Donald Liebenson ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A Fine Introduction to Rumpole
I had rather low expectations for this first-ever appearance of Horace Rumpole, but I was pleasantly surprised to see how well developed the Rumpole character was right from the get-go. Many of the hallmarks of the long running series are here: She Who Must Be Obeyed, the Penge Bungalow Murders, frequent recitations of Wordsworth, corrupt detective inspectors, and small cigars. Even son Nick makes an appearance (although he's in a bit of a foul mood). The only thing I found jarring was Rumpole's initial attempt to get his client to plead guilty, something the later Rumpole would never do. Still, Leo McKern nails the part right out of the chute, which makes this episode a fine introduction to John Mortimer's beloved barrister.

The "special features" on the DVD are mostly worthless, but the real reason you're buying this is to see an episode of Rumpole you've probably never seen before. That alone is worth the price. ... Read more