Description

One of fiction's most popular detectives comes alive in this scintillatingadaptation of Caroline Graham's bestselling Inspector Barnaby mystery. The beautifulrural area of Midsomer is filled with more than its share of intrigue and colorfulcharacters. Keeping an eye on it all is Inspector Barnaby, a contemplative, comfortablymarried man with a worrisome college-age daughter and a slow, bumbling assistant,Sergeant Troy.In THE KILLINGS AT BADGER'S DRIFT, an old lady witnesses a shocking event. Butbefore she can tell anyone what she has seen, she dies from what seems to be naturalcauses. Her dearest friend drags the unwilling Inspector Barnaby into the case. He soonbegins to see that certain things just don't add up, then a second gruesome killingconfirms his suspicions. Barnaby's investigations into the murders reveal an unexpectedsordid side to the sleepy village. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Poor Annabella...
Badger's Drift is the best kept village in Midsomer... at least, that's what the sign says. The mystery starts when Ms. Emily Simpson, an 80-year old retired school teacher, stumbles upon "something" in the woods. Her best friend and neighbor, Ms. Bellringer, knew something was wrong when Ms. Simpson came home that night - she didn't close her door, she slammed it. And she failed to padlock her tricycle... Emily was always afraid of thieves, you know. When Ms. Simpson is discovered with a broken neck, as from a fall, Ms. Bellringer just knows it must have been foul play.

Chief Inspector Barnaby and Sergeant Troy take up the investigation. Questions: Why does Dennis Rainbird, the local undertaker, seem so eager to get Ms. Simpson's body in the ground? What's really going on with Dr. Lesseter, who claims that Ms. Simpson was in perfect health? Isn't it odd that no one ever sees Mr. Henry Trace, the wealthiest man in Badger's Drift, out of his wheelchair? And just what is Michael Lacey "painting" in his studio?

Don't worry - none of these are spoilers. They're just the sort of devilishly odd questions you might ask yourself while watching one of the best episodes in the _Midsomer Murders_ series.

Enjoy... ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Slow Moving Critique of the British Class System and Army
This film is a critical view of the British class system dressed up as a First World War story. A young member of the Protestant Anglo-Irish landed gentry forms a friendship with a poor Irish Catholic from the neighboring village. The Protestant, named Alexander, is warned by his mother to break off the friendship because it is simply not done. When Britain enters the First World War, Alexander's father, who supports Home Rule and is sympathetic to the Irish nationalists opposes his son's joining the army saying that it is not Ireland's fight, but his aristocratic English mother encourages it. Alexander's friend, Jeremiah also joins up, much to Alexander's surprise since he knows that Jeremiah is an extreme Irish nationalist, but it turns out that he has ulterior motives. In the end, they are sent to the front in France. Alexander, coming from a "good family" is made an officer, but Jeremiah is just a private. In spite of the rules against fraternization, the two remain good friends. This relationship leads to a double tragedy for the two men. I have two problems with the film, firstly, the viewer should have at least some knowledge of the 19th century struggle for Irish Home Rule since it is an important component of the story. The second, is that Alexander's commanding officer is made into some sort of fiend because he opposes the fraternization between the two men. Alexander says that "he treats men like cattle", but we are not shown any evidence of this, and in fact, his opposition to the conduct of the two men is well founded. The writers of this story decided to throw in anti-military jibes in addition to their attacks on the British society of the time in question.
Having said this, the film has some suberb acting, including Sian Phillips (Livia from "I, Claudius") who plays Alexander's mother. Thus, in spite of its flaws, the viewer does get a feel for the relationship between the English and Irish and the unique problems of the Protestant Anglo-Irish society of a hundred years ago. ... Read more

Description

In sleepy Midsomer, a rural English hideaway, life moves with easy,predictable rhythms. But when the secretary of a local writer's circle is discoveredmurdered, the village is overcome with rumor and speculation.It is up to Inspector Barnaby to cast light on the case, but what the calm and collectedpoliceman discovers only deepens the mystery. It seems that the victim was a man ofmany secrets no marriage certificate is found to match the wedding photos in his home,no relatives come forward and he has no national insurance number. And when thewoman he was wooing admits that she saw a blonde stranger arrive at his house twonights before the murder, Barnaby is faced with quite a quandary. Who was this woman,and who was the victim really?Based on the bestselling Barnaby novels by Caroline Graham, Midsomer Murders isclassic British crimedrama in the grand tradition of Agatha Christie. ... Read more

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Well worth watching
Midsomer is one of those quasi-mythical areas in the heart of England that everyone would like to believe exists. Rolling green countryside, small villages with thatched cottages, rose gardens, well-tended farms, and a population with more than its fair share of quirkiness and a tendency to commit murder.

The local police seem to have plenty to do, the investigations ably led by Detective Chief Inspector Barnaby and his sidekick Sgt. Troy. Barnaby is somewhat unusual for a TV detective in that he doesn't seem to have any quirks - he's a straightforward, decent, happily married cop. He has a beaming smile and a pleasant manner. But his mind is sharp and let a suspect or witness push his or her luck with him and they soon get a glimpse of the steel beneath the surface.

The basic formula is that pioneered by Morse. Feature length episodes give plenty of time to set up the characters, let the viewer see something of what is going on around the place and admire the scenery, and allow several more inter-linked murders to take place before the initial case is solved.

At first I was not too taken with Midsomer. The set-up was a bit predictable and seemed engineered with an eye to the export market, and Barnaby somewhat bland after the dysfunctional Morse and the dyspeptic Dalziel (do you get "Dalziel and Pascoe" on American TV? If not, you're missing something - watch out for it). But the place and the man have grown on me and now I'm a fan and a regular watcher. Give them a chance.... ... Read more

Description

The Causton Amateur Dramatic Society is preparing to performAmadeus, and Inspector Barnaby is persuaded to paint the set. In the final act the scriptcalls for Salieri, played by Esslyn Carmichael, to slit his throat. In rehearsals the blade ofthe razor is wrapped in plastic, and the effect is convincing. But on opening night, theaudience is amazed at the reality of the death scene--until they realize it is not brilliantlystaged, but horrifyingly real!Barnaby is immediately called on to make some sense of the tragedy. Could Esslyn'ssuspicion of his wife's affair have drove him to suicide? Or was it murder? It is up to theredoubtable Barnaby to uncover the truth. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

If you love British murder mysteries...
then check out the "Midsomer Murders" series. "Death of a Hollow Man" is set in a community playhouse which provides a wonderful backdrop for egos, back-biting, romance and eventually, murder. All the clues are there if you watch and listen. John Nettles brings a warmth to Chief Inspector Barnaby that is quite engaging as you watch him comfort his wife and then interrogate the witnesses. The characters are very interesting with plenty of human foibles and you will find yourself wishing "well" to some and "bad" to others. Very enjoyable. ... Read more

Description

One of fiction's most popular detectives comes alive in this scintillatingadaptation of Caroline Graham's bestselling Inspector Barnaby mystery. The beautifulrural area of Midsomer is filled with more than its share of intrigue and colorfulcharacters. Keeping an eye on it all is Inspector Barnaby, a contemplative, comfortablymarried man with a worrisome college-age daughter and a slow, bumbling assistant,Sergeant Troy.A master of a New Age commune is prematurelytransported into the Other World, and all fingerspoint to a ruthless tycoon who had visited thecommune to see his long lost daughter. But Barnaby is not convinced that the billionaireis to blame and, ignoring pressure to close the case, delves into the past lives of thecommune's inhabitants. Eventually, Barnaby discovers that one of them is not who hepretends to be. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Flawed characters in excellent British drama
This writer's work has been "bowdlerised", that is, expurgated, andheterosexualised as to be acceptable for mainstream cinematic viewing. The scriptwriter, producer and director (all women, incidently - for shame) are directly responsible for the way that Ms Trollope's novel about self-discovery, via an unsuccessful marriage and cathartic love affair, has been transformed into a cautionary tale about the kind of woman your mother warned you about. Upon discovery of the affair in the film, Alice (our heroine) goes to her husband and asks for a second chance; in the book, she asks for a divorce. In the book, Alice is a weeping wreck and Clodagh (the 'other woman') determined to show her how to appreciate herself and life; in the film, Alice is post-natally depressed and Clodagh a shallow seducer. In the film, Alice harangues Clodagh for not concealing their relationship; in the book, Alice says she would like to tell everyone. In the film, everyone wants a piece of Alice; in the book, Clodagh loves her as she lets her go, reluctantly, to find her own way. And Alice loves Clodagh as they let each other go, knowing too much emotional baggage would not see them through. In the film, Alice drives 'off into the sunset' (and then...?); in the book, Alice learns to be sufficient unto herself. I rest my case; a good queer story, skewed straight. Hand out the awards to Sophie Ward and Kerry Fox (yay, fabulous Kerry, fellow Kiwi!) who, not for a moment compromise their acting (including some sumptuous lip-locks) to a skilfully doctored script. And another award for Joanna Trollope's excellent story. Watch the film - it's well worth it. And read the book to find out what the author REALLY intended.

Fine acting does an intriguing tale justice...
Having read the book and now seen the film, still dissatisfied with the ending, but won't spoil it for you. Good characterization around a strong tale. Sophie Ward plays the unhappy, lonely Alice, ripe for an intense relationship with Clodagh, the persistent local extrovert who pursues her. The very talented Kerry Fox obviously enjoys the role, but not even she can carry a jarring change in personality mid-way through. And the writers fail her badly with some cliched, melodramatic lines towards the end. But Sophie Ward is luminous as the blossoming Alice. She manages some extremely difficult emotions with an admirable honesty, and skilfully portrays Alice's changing circumstances. As for art mirroring life, I doubt that she imagined when she played this role that it would be so true for her. Sophie's real life 'ending' was a whole lot braver than Joanna Trollope could manage. Certainly worth seeing for quality acting by the main characters, and a sublime supporting cast. END ... Read more