Reviews (1)

Morse in God's Own Country?
Promised land begins, rather unpromisingly, with Morse and Strange observing a funeral and identifying in the grand tradition of detective movies the villains. A nod to the old Thaw series, the Sweeney, the show continues in this vein for a while as the boundaries are established, of getting the final villains, the possibility of a gang's release.

Morse is ordered to revisit a supergrass to try to uncover evidence which would resolve both the issues. The snitch has begun a new life in the equivalent of the witness protection scheme so everything appears to be straightforward.

On the eve of their departure, Lewis is more than a little miffed at having to forego his vacation, a burglary occurs at the local freesheet newspaper and in the grand Holmesian tradition, nothing is stolen.

Off our intrepid heroes set for Lewis to discover that the person they are visiting was transplanted to Australia.

There are some spectacular shots of the countryside which dwarf the car that they are driving and which serves to give a sense of perspective on the vastness of the country. In a vignette Morse discovers that he has not brought his beloved opera tape with him to play on the long drive. Lewis, searching for an alternative discovers country music, Australian style, on the radio. This again underscores the notion of Australia as a new country shaking off her connections to Britain.

On arriving at their destination the sterotypical portrayal of Australian men as boorish, gambling, womenisers is presented in a scene where Morse and Lewis venture into the local bar. In a very funny moment, Lewis orders a beer while Morse contents himself with an orange juice - a reversal of the usual position - which moves on to a condemnation by Morse of non-real ale and a perception by the locals that Morse is possibly homosexual.

The plot develops with a mysterious stranger driving a camper, the stoolie's wife is both hostile and yet welcoming. Her husband has disappeared, nothing new in that, and Morse and Lewis expend considerable energies in the search.

As the programme develops the stereotypical views of the country and it's people are challenged and they are shown to be warm, sociable, and open minded.

In the conclusion, in front of the Sydney Opera House, Lewis has resolved his issues by remaining in Australia to be joined by his wife. Morse is left in solitude with his ticket to the opera, a tragic figure who is unable to articulate his feelings.

This Morse does not have the usual twists and turns and in many ways is one of the most approachable of the shows. Regardless it is still terrific entertainment and well worth the five stars. ... Read more

Amazon.com

What's a single woman with beauty and property to do in the medieval world? The mercenary attentions of the single village men send the grieving young widow Mistress Pearle (Kitty Aldridge) fleeing town, and her return a year later rekindles the competition with a vengeance. Call on Brother Cadfael (Derek Jacobi), the spiritual Sherlock Holmes of the Dark Ages, when the young monk tending her rose garden is found dead and the widow herself disappears a day later. Cadfael suspects the brooding bronzesmith (the gruff Tom Mannion) who rents her cottage, but he's not the only man in town with secrets. Jacobi is a delight as the medieval humanist, and he's matched by the worldly Sister Magdalen (Sarah Badel, reprising her role from "The Leper of St. Giles"). Their flirtatious scenes remind us they both led vivid lives before taking the vows.

The DVD features a few minutes of audio comments by Derek Jacobi, who ruminates on the role; a gallery of production stills; brief filmographies on the featured cast; and a biography and booklist for author Ellis Peters. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Description

Twelfth-century Shrewsbury comes to life in Ellis Peters’ Cadfael stories, a PBS Mystery! favorite starring Sir Derek Jacobi (I, Claudius; Gladiator). When Shrewsbury’s goldsmith is robbed and left for dead, drunken locals decide the guilty party must be Liliwin, an itinerant juggler who was performing at the wedding feast of the goldsmith’s son. The mob pursues the young man through the streets to the abbey where he frantically seeks the sanctuary of the altar. Cadfael believes Liliwin is innocent, but his search for the truth leads to the discovery of an even deadlier sin. DVD special features include exclusive audio comments by Derek Jacobi, Ellis Peters biography and booklist, English subtitles, filmographies and scene index. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Under the certainty of Heaven nothing is certain.
This is film is part of:

Brother Cadfael Series 1 Box Set: The Sanctuary Sparrow, One Corpse Too Many, Monk's Hood and The Leper of St. Giles (1995) ASIN: 6303316042

From the back cover: When the town's goldsmith is robbed and left for dead, the finger of suspicion is pointed at young juggler who was performing at the wedding feast of the goldsmith's son.

Pursued by the mob, the young entertainer stumbles through the town to the Abby where he seeks the sanctuary of the Alter. Cadfael is given the job of keeping an eye on the youngster while the authorities investigate. But his discrete inquiries are cut short when the goldsmith's neighbor is found dead floating in the river...

Once again the box does not convey the complexity or the beauty in the film as father Cadfael along with my favorite Hugh Beringar (Sean Pertwee) search for truth and justice using forensics, intuition and logic.

A very good Cadfael movie
This is a very good movie. The story is true to the book, and I really liked the book. The reason I gave it four stars instead of five is because a few of the memorable lines from the book that were spoken by characters other than Cadfael were split up in the movie so that he completed some of them. For example, when the crowd comes chasing after the minstrel Lilliwin, it really was more appropriate for the ABBOT to say, "Put up your weapons or court your soul's damnation." I think it would have been presumptious for a lay brother to say such a thing unless he was an ordained priest, who had the power to excommunicate. But other than that, the movie was as good as the book in every respect, and it's worth seeing. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Political passions ran high in 12th-century England, and the Church was often caught in the middle of the feud between King Stephen and Empress Maud. This feud takes its toll in Shrewsbury upon the appointment of a new priest whose political sympathies outweigh his human compassion. With unrequited love and farmland dispossession adding to the local turmoil, the long list of people who wanted to see Father Ailnoth dead keeps both the sheriff and Brother Cadfael (Derek Jacobi) busy for days. As with all episodes in this medieval mystery series, the writing, acting, and production values are of the highest quality, re-creating the 12th century's grand and small passions in rich detail while viewers try to puzzle out who done it.

DVD extras include an audio interview with Derek Jacobi in which he shares his thoughts on Cadfael's faith and sense of guilt, an Ellis Peters biography and book list, and a production scrapbook of behind-the-scenes stills. --Larisa Lomacky Moore ... Read more

Amazon.com

Ellis Peter's intrepid sleuthing monk solves a grisly puzzle in The Potter's Field. The brothers of the Shrewsbury monastery are doing some innocent backyard plowing when they turn up a murder: a body that looks like it may be that of the former wife of their own Brother Ruald. Shrewsbury boils with rumors and accusations as a civil war devastates the countryside. The Potter's Field is a terrific mystery, filled with compelling human drama as well as a knotty riddle with a shocking solution. The production has an authentic feel, showing both the practicalities and the squalor of medieval life, and the direction artfully enhances the story. The acting is excellent across the board, with Derek Jacobi's surehanded embodiment of Cadfael leading the way. This is an excellent, satisfying mystery. Special DVD features include cast filmographies, commentary by Jacobi, a production scrapbook, and a biography of Ellis Peters. --Ali Davis ... Read more

Amazon.com

The first Brother Cadfael mystery to be released on DVD, The Virgin in the Ice captures all of the elements thatmake these adaptations of Ellis Peters's novels a perennial PBS favorite. The performances and sets bring 12th-century England to vivid life (although the series was actually filmed in Hungary). Derek Jacobi portrays Cadfael with a quiet authority and just the right edge of world-weariness one would expect from a Crusader turned monk. His search for two missing children and for the band of outlaws who brutally beat one of his fellow monks turns up intrigues and surprise twists that make this episode a captivating human drama as well as an expertly crafted mystery. From frictions within Shrewsbury Abbey to the ongoing war between Queen Maud and King Stephen, The Virgin in the Ice plunges viewers fully into Cadfael's world and all of its unexpected joys and perils.

The DVD includes several minutes of audio comments by Derek Jacobi about taking on the role and the appeal of Cadfael. Other special features include biographical information about Ellis Peters (a pseudonym for Edith Pargeter), a production scrapbook of behind-the-scenes photos, and English captions for the hearing-impaired. --Larisa Lomacky Moore ... Read more

Amazon.com

Derek Jacobi's Brother Cadfael is a different kind of detective: a 12th-century monk, a healer and herbalist, and former soldier of fortune. His résumé gives him an interesting perspective on the puzzling murders that seem to plague the rural county of Shrewsbury. In "The Devil's Novice," from the second season of the television series, Cadfael defends the order's newest novice, an intense young man who harbors a haunting secret, against a murder charge. Once again he fights dogmatic superstition in the monastery's ranks and even battles the church hierarchy willing to sacrifice an innocent man to bring closure to the murder of a cleric. The generic mystery relies on familiar family melodramatics and romantic complications and even echoes elements of the more compelling Cadfael mystery "The Virgin in the Ice," but the backdrop of cloak-and-dagger intrigue and church politics infiltrating provincial Shrewsbury is compelling. Cadfael's mix of spiritual wisdom and worldly experience makes him a riveting character, and Jacobi invests him with empathy, passion, and a perceptive, clear-eyed vision of the secular world.

The DVD also features a short audio-only interview with Derek Jacobi, a biography of author Ellis Peters (a pseudonym for Edith Pargeter), and a small stills gallery of production photos. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Amazon.com

Brother Cadfael, the Sherlock Holmes of the medieval world, discovers a corpse among the parade of the infirm and diseased taking refuge in the abbey on "Cripples Day." Thieves and con men ply their trades among the pilgrims so there is no shortage of suspects, but a few personalities leap from the crowd, namely a bitter young man accompanied by his pickpocket sister, and a dying pilgrim making the trek barefoot while his pious brother pushes him along. The struggle between faith and dogma that rings through all of the Cadfael mysteries takes center stage in this story. The piety of the more judgmental Brothers of the Order comes across as hypocritical in their dealings with the unwashed peasants (who are, much to the monks' dismay, detained within the abbey walls during the investigation), but even their intolerance pales next to Cadfael's terrible discovery in the murder.

The DVD features a brief audio interview with Derek Jacobi, production notes, stills, filmographies, and an Ellis Peters biography and booklist. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Amazon.com

This three-part, 1983 drama remains an honorable and largely captivating effort to adapt the unique structure of a P.D. James mystery novel to television. Despite bizarre production values--including intense lighting (presumably to accommodate the all-video shoot) and a near-absence of tone that often makes good actors look as if they're knocking about between rehearsals--the show holds up where it counts.

James's extensive, pre-murder set-up survives a script translation, and the terrific cast infuses urgency into the story of a forensic scientist (Geoffrey Palmer) bludgeoned to death by any one of many suspects: among them a hostile ex-lover (Meg Davies), her brother and the victim's boss (Barry Foster), and an angry cousin (Brenda Blethyn) living as "a friend" with the deceased's ex-wife. So many possibilities, and the rather dour but thorough Scotland Yard Commander Adam Dalgliesh (Roy Marsden), burdened by the recent death of his wife, sifts through them all with deceptive impartiality and quiet self-disapprobation. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Good story--but a little long
First off-I'm a great fan of British detective stories. While this is not the "best"--it is a good story and despite it's length-nearly 5 hours--it remains interesting. Roy Marsden portrays Scotland Yard's Adam Dalgliesh-a rather droll investigator-not quite as likeable as John Nettles portrayal of Inspector Barnaby in Midsomer Murders but more pleasant than John Thaw's "Inspector Morse"-and this story involves his investigation into the murder of a Laboratory supervisor--that nearly everyone has reason to dislike and possibly wish dead. His unpopularity alone makes nearly everyone suspect--and at various times almost everyone seems like the likely killer.
I recommend this dvd strongly--although considering the cost-I would recommend "The Essential P. D. James" instead--this is a 12 disc set that contains all 7 of the Dalgliesh storys-and costs roughly the equivelant of two of the longer storys bought individually

THE ADAM DALGLEISH SERIES
I'VE SEEN THE WHOLE ADAM DALGLEISH SERIES WRITTEN BY P.D. JAMES -WHO INCIDENTALLY, LIVES IN NORFOLK, U.K., STARRING ROY MARSDEN AS INSPECTOR DALGLEISH...THEY WERE ALL FILMED IN NORFOLK VILLAGES, WHICH IN THEMSELVES ARE VERY PICTURESQUE....MANY OF THEM IN THE OLDE WORLD SETTING WITH THE VILLAGE-GREEN IN THE CENTRE OF THE VILLAGE. TO GET BACK TO MY REVIEW OF THE SERIES - THEY ARE ABSOLUTELY GRIPPING, AND U DON'T KNOW WHO THE KILLER, MURDERER, WHATEVER U WANT TO CALL THE PERSON WHO COMMITS THE CRIME UNTIL RIGHT AT THE END. I HONESTLY BELIEVE THAT EVERYONE WHO WATCHES THE SERIES WILL ENJOY IT & BECOME QUITE ADDICTED TO
IT, AND ALSO WANT TO READ THE BOOKS. IM NOT QUITE CERTAIN BUT I THINK THERE WERE 6 OR 7 TITLES...ENJOY! ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Could have been more than it was
Purchased this out of curiosity as to what it might reveal from a historical footage point of view. Was mildly disappointed in that it was a brief documentary with a British narrator best left for a museum exhibit. Considering the Vatican is in possession of footage from the time of Leo XIII as well as that of Pius XI and possibly something of the other two neglected popes:Pius X and Benedict XV, the slight treatment given is somewhat disquieting. Nonetheless the footage of Pius XII is interesting in regards to his coronation, and the enthusiasm he had for riding around on the sedia gestatoria (portable throne). John XXIII was portrayed in a warm light and gives an idea of what he was like. Paul VI came off a little cold. It would've been nice to have full soundbites sans narration with perhaps a subtitle of translation so that the popes could be heard in their own voices. John Paul I was glossed over a little too much. There could've been more shown in regards to the "smiling Pope". All of the announcements of election also could've been shown. A DVD would be the perfect medium for this. It felt somewhat rushed and slightly low budget. Still for collectors, enthusiasts and historians, not to mention the curious, this is an interesting trinket for your viewing pleasure.

Pope John Paul II: His Biography & Tridentine Mass
This video was done by an amateur, both in the video editing and audio editing. The sound was awful with the background music too loud. The video was narrated by someone who wasn't very professional.

I thought that the Tridentine Mass would have had John Paul II preciding over it. But it was just some priest from California.

I was very disappointed in this set. It's something I wouldn't bother to watch again.

Pope John Paul II - The Movie
This movie was extremely inspirational. I so enjoyed it! It covers a full span of the Holy Father's life from boyhood to adulthood. The story line shows the Pope's humaness, his intellect, and his great love of God. It also revealed the struggles and strength of the Polish people during World War II. I have recommended it to friends who have equally enjoyed it.

I'm Pope-eye the Savior's man!
Many people today think of John Paul II as some sort of well-intentioned preachy old-timer set in his church's archaic ways, with little, if nothing, relevant to say in our present troubled times. As this movie shows, they couldn't be more wrong! We're talking about a bigger-than-life hero here, if ever there was one!

Albert Finney is astounding in the role of a Polish working class priest witnessing first hand the worst atrocities of the XX century, and putting his own life on the line in order to stop and ammend them. I don't know if Finney ever recieved any award for this perfomance, but I do know John Paul II will go down in history not only as a great pope, but as an example of what being human means!

You don't have to be a Catholic to apreciate this, nor to watch the movie!

Forgot I was watching Albert Finny, he became Karol Wojtyla
I really forgot I was watching an actor, both young Karol and the man Karol, the acting was so well done by all. Patrick Stewart as an antagonist was superb. One can not help but feel the emotions that Karol felt as his character is formed by the experiences of his life, from the loss of his mother at an early age and his father as a young man, the ocupation by the Germans, the plight of the Jewish families that led him to risk his life for them. Also his meeting with a mentor who intoduces him to St. John of the Cross, he became a Secular Carmelite as a result and the Carmelite St. John of the Cross was to influence his life right up to the present day. It was his dealings with the Communists, as Bishop of Cracow, that gave such hope to the Polish people. An example was at Nowa Huta. This is the story of a man who was formed by the experiences of his life which brought him to the understanding of the true meaning of love. Not the passive kind, but the love that acts to restore the dignity of the human being. It shows his ability to be empathic with the suffering of everyone. It reveals his capacity to understand all sides and to mediate well, which is part of what got him elected to the highest position in the church. It also shows his astute mind and strong-willed commiment to his principles in dealings with the Communists and others. Keep your kleenex handy, you will feel this story very deeply. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Could have been more than it was
Purchased this out of curiosity as to what it might reveal from a historical footage point of view. Was mildly disappointed in that it was a brief documentary with a British narrator best left for a museum exhibit. Considering the Vatican is in possession of footage from the time of Leo XIII as well as that of Pius XI and possibly something of the other two neglected popes:Pius X and Benedict XV, the slight treatment given is somewhat disquieting. Nonetheless the footage of Pius XII is interesting in regards to his coronation, and the enthusiasm he had for riding around on the sedia gestatoria (portable throne). John XXIII was portrayed in a warm light and gives an idea of what he was like. Paul VI came off a little cold. It would've been nice to have full soundbites sans narration with perhaps a subtitle of translation so that the popes could be heard in their own voices. John Paul I was glossed over a little too much. There could've been more shown in regards to the "smiling Pope". All of the announcements of election also could've been shown. A DVD would be the perfect medium for this. It felt somewhat rushed and slightly low budget. Still for collectors, enthusiasts and historians, not to mention the curious, this is an interesting trinket for your viewing pleasure.

Pope John Paul II: His Biography & Tridentine Mass
This video was done by an amateur, both in the video editing and audio editing. The sound was awful with the background music too loud. The video was narrated by someone who wasn't very professional.

I thought that the Tridentine Mass would have had John Paul II preciding over it. But it was just some priest from California.

I was very disappointed in this set. It's something I wouldn't bother to watch again.

Pope John Paul II - The Movie
This movie was extremely inspirational. I so enjoyed it! It covers a full span of the Holy Father's life from boyhood to adulthood. The story line shows the Pope's humaness, his intellect, and his great love of God. It also revealed the struggles and strength of the Polish people during World War II. I have recommended it to friends who have equally enjoyed it.

I'm Pope-eye the Savior's man!
Many people today think of John Paul II as some sort of well-intentioned preachy old-timer set in his church's archaic ways, with little, if nothing, relevant to say in our present troubled times. As this movie shows, they couldn't be more wrong! We're talking about a bigger-than-life hero here, if ever there was one!

Albert Finney is astounding in the role of a Polish working class priest witnessing first hand the worst atrocities of the XX century, and putting his own life on the line in order to stop and ammend them. I don't know if Finney ever recieved any award for this perfomance, but I do know John Paul II will go down in history not only as a great pope, but as an example of what being human means!

You don't have to be a Catholic to apreciate this, nor to watch the movie!

Forgot I was watching Albert Finny, he became Karol Wojtyla
I really forgot I was watching an actor, both young Karol and the man Karol, the acting was so well done by all. Patrick Stewart as an antagonist was superb. One can not help but feel the emotions that Karol felt as his character is formed by the experiences of his life, from the loss of his mother at an early age and his father as a young man, the ocupation by the Germans, the plight of the Jewish families that led him to risk his life for them. Also his meeting with a mentor who intoduces him to St. John of the Cross, he became a Secular Carmelite as a result and the Carmelite St. John of the Cross was to influence his life right up to the present day. It was his dealings with the Communists, as Bishop of Cracow, that gave such hope to the Polish people. An example was at Nowa Huta. This is the story of a man who was formed by the experiences of his life which brought him to the understanding of the true meaning of love. Not the passive kind, but the love that acts to restore the dignity of the human being. It shows his ability to be empathic with the suffering of everyone. It reveals his capacity to understand all sides and to mediate well, which is part of what got him elected to the highest position in the church. It also shows his astute mind and strong-willed commiment to his principles in dealings with the Communists and others. Keep your kleenex handy, you will feel this story very deeply. ... Read more