Inspector Morse - Complete Boxset [DVD]

We were uncertain about buying this set only because of the crticism expressed by an earlier reviewer concerning picture quality and handling problems.
We have now watched the first 4 episodes and have no doubts at all. It is excellent. Let's face it these early episodes were made over 20 years ago they are not going to be in HD but they are fine - we have a 37 inch TV screen so any flaws would be easily seen.
I have no difficulty extracting the DVD's from the cleverly designed cases, and I am no spring chicken. The cunning packaging means all 33 DVD's take up no more shelf space than say about 5 single DVD's.
If you enjoyed Morse when it was first shown in the 1980's & 90's, or have been introduced to him on the subsequent repeats DO BUY THIS SET.

I hesitated from buying this down to the review at the top of the list. It should be removed, and here's why.

1) Morse: If you're even thinking about buying Morse there needs no backup as to why you'd want a set. Morse needs no selling, it is sheer genius crime TV from all angles.

2) The packaging. The other reviewer must have had a dud. The middle bits 'do' depress, and there's plenty of room to slide a thumb under from one side to finish it off. The disc doesn't even get close to bending. My dad has serious arthritis and even he can do it no problems. Do not stop buying on account of the disc fixing.

3) The rest of the packaging is fine and a little ingenious. I recently bought my parents the massive DVD collection (which was essentially all the series seperately released bundled into one foot long box. That, as it happened, was perfect for them as they liked having something 'showy' to display it in. And it did/does look good in there. This version is much cheaper looking, and basically constructed. But it's still perfectly nice looking - and for the space saving it's much more suitable to me.

4) The quality of the 're-mastering'. Again, the person who reviewed this before must be using a HD flat screen telly. Possibly quite a big one. If you view this on a normal telly (what might now be called old fashioned - i.e. one that isn't HD, isn't flat screen and uses the old tubes) then the quality of this DVD, even the early ones, is crystal clear. Sadly, on the 'new amazing quality TV's' anything that isn't Blu-Ray looks fuzzy. That's down to the scaling of the image. These early episodes are going to come out on your screen just as good, or bad, as non-HD live telly is currently coming out on your telly. Accept that, and you'll be fine.

All in all, this is an amazing collection, in a very useful size, and fantastic quality, considering it comes from nearly 30 years ago.

It is wonderful to have the complete works of Inspector Morse, housed within a nicely presented, space saving package. This box set is about a quarter of the size of the previous complete incarnation of Inspector Morse, and for many, this will be very welcome indeed. Add the fact that there are over three hours of very interesting documentaries, at a price which is also a quarter of its previous cost; surely it all seems too good to be true? Well, yes, and no.

Many, if not most people, who are considering the purchase of this set already know the virtues of this incredible series; therefore, my review is not based on what most buyers will already know, which is - Inspector Morse, as far as tv drama is concerned, is right at the top of the list for high quality entertainment. It has a timeless appeal (and yet, hardly a mobile phone in sight), which will last for generations to come. It is suffused with beautiful nuances, ingenious subplots and a soundtrack which pricks at the subconscious, evoking almost sad, distant memories, particularly for those who grew up with the partnership of Morse and Lewis. It has been the brunt of many half decent imitations over the years - although it has never been bettered.

For content quality, it gets five stars, no question. It is the packaging which comes under criticism - and it is this, together with some criticism over the re-mastering, which has given rise to the omission of one star. I will now explain in detail. Crammed within a simple, glossy cardboard box, you are left with two plastic containers, each housing around ten discs. Each disc is attached to one of five plastic plates - with a disc each side (back to back), attached to a normal, central hub. The discs are very difficult to prise off the plate - almost to the point where the disc is bent in two. This is due to the fact that all of the holding, central hubs are hard, fast plastic. You can't push down in the normal manner, whereby each disc rises so you can then take it out nicely at the edge. In the end, to save breaking the discs - you will end up having to go through a slow, laborious process, which involves gently edging each disc out (longish nails will help in this instance). The criticism here is based on practicality - and it is worth mentioning because the packaging is definitely something which will not suit everyone (especially if you have limited mobility of the hands, for example). So, it is worth bearing in mind.

The other matter, which is the re-mastering, is also worthy of note. The box says `digitally restored with full picture and sound restoration'. I'd shiver to think what the first dozen or so episode transfers were like on previous releases, because the picture quality on quite a few of these episodes, is substandard, to say the least. The sound cannot be faulted, for its part - however, the picture quality is so poor that in some instances, it's almost like watching a smudged, slightly spoilt, oil painting; a bit like that movie, starring Robin Williams - where he walks into the world inhabited within a painting, created by the protagonists deceased spouse - What Dreams May Come, I think it's called. Perhaps I'm over dramatising the issue here; however, when watching these (as already mentioned, the first 10-12 episodes), and looking at the statement on the box - it will make you laugh. It's a con; a marketing ploy - possibly to appeal to those who already have the previous complete works. These 1987 -1999 transfers aren't even in the same league as late 60's, early 70's Columbo episodes. Really!

Oh, also; another thing which is quite annoying - please forgive me for nit picking - is the incorrect naming of pieces of music within the subtitles. On many instances - the subtitle will say `Mozart Piano Concerto' when it's really one of the Opus 54 Quartets, by Joseph Haydn; or, `Bach Suite' when again, it's clearly the music of Joseph Haydn, and `Handel`, when it`s Bach. These mistakes, which would have existed on previous releases, have not been rectified - therefore, one can deduce that there never was a complete restoration of any kind, whatsoever.

So, take it as it is. Even with its faults, this set is simply amazing to trawl through on lazy afternoons. Although I've been fairly critical with regard to the technicalities of this set - taken as a whole however, it is still a bargain at the price, and it will give you many hours of pleasure, for many years to come. Highly recommended.