|
||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
|
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
In Inspector Morse no crimes are ever committed on Oxford's notorious Blackbird Leys estate, instead they all happen in country manor houses or within the walls of the ancient colleges. The series provides all the period cosiness of an Agatha Christie costume drama but in an apparently modern setting. Morse is a contemporary detective with all the nostalgic appeal of Poirot or Sherlock Holmes. John Thaw's Chief Inspector is the antithesis of his previous detective role, The Sweeney's hard-nosed Jack Regan: Morse the irascible opera lover is an anachronistic throwback, driving a classic car, listening to Wagner on LP, quaffing real ale in country pubs or single malt at home, and quoting poetry whenever occasion arises (at least once or twice an episode). His much put-upon sidekick Segeant Lewis (Kevin Whateley) is the bemused ordinary copper who acts as a foil for his artistic and academic passions, and not incidentally allows the writers to explain any possibly obscure or learned references to the TV audience. With plots of crossword puzzle-like intricacy, top-drawer thespian guest stars, loving views of quintessentially English Tourist Board Oxfordshire countryside, and literate screenplays from such luminaries as Malcom Bradbury, the show was a sure-fire hit across middle England.
In 1994, after four successful series, John Thaw moved on to other projects (initially, the disastrous A Year In Provence) but always left the door open for more Morse. "The Remorseful Day" is, however, positively his final appearance. The story opens dramatically with a montage of kinky sex and murder, before settling down into a leisurely exploration of leads that might or might not be red herrings. More murders follow, naturally, as the story adds yet more twists. But this time things are different: Morse, on the very eve of retirement, is gravely ill. Convalescing at home he consoles himself with birdwatching and a newly acquired CD player, but he is more than usually irritable and relations with Lewis, who is impatiently awaiting his own promotion to Inspector, are strained. Could Morse himself be the murderer? Certainly, Chief Superintendent Strange (James Grout) is worried. The ultimate resolution of the case takes second place to the show's finale, which will however be no surprise to anyone who has read Colin Dexter's novel. This is a poignant and dignified end to the casebook of a much-loved detective. --Mark Walker
Tag this product(What's this?)Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organise and find favourite items. |
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
As everybody knows how this ended, there is no point in trying to hide it. The interaction between Superintendent Strange and Sergeant Lewis with the man who, to all intents and purposes, had made both of their lives hell at one point or another, was wonderful.
Though it was as well written as all other 32 Inspector Morse stories, as far as the audience were concerned, the whodunnit took second place in the rank of importance. John Thaw as the grumpy, boozy Morse was as brilliant as he has ever been, but I feel that Kevin Whately was the true star. I doubt whether the audience would have been moved to tears by the death of the Chief Inspector, were it not that we were able to watch it through Lewis' eyes.
When Sergeant Lewis went to arrest...well, those who have not read Colin Dexter's novel will not know 'whodunnit', so, shall we say, the guilty party in the crime...shortly after receiving a call on his mobile, it was clear in his eyes what the news had been and that all he wanted to do was break down and cry. The last ever line of this, the last ever Morse, was completely fitting. Lewis' soft, 'Goodbye sir.'
Goodbye, Endeavour. And we thank you.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
25 reviews
38 of 38 people found the following review helpful
Relish the Well-done Remorseful Day
26 May 2001
This is probably one of the best (if not *the* best) Inspector Morse television episode. I admit to alot of that bias *not* going toward it for being the final installment of the series, but more for it being such a WELL-DONE final installment of the series.
The obligatory murder plot/premise has to do with the re-opening of a case involving the death of a middle-aged temptress/nurse named Yvonne Harrison. Lewis and Morse tackle the case, with the latter acting particularly strange concerning many aspects of the matter. There are a plethora of suspects, one of whom is Morse's own doctor, which conveniently leads to scenes showing how the great Chief Inspector's health is deteriorating rapidly. The Harrison case, while definitely being worked-through carefully, isn't the real focus of the story.
Morse's plight is the prime meaning behind "The Remorseful Day". Never before has the character been rendered so human, and so pathetic. His lady-friend (appearing in recent TV adaptations) has apparently left him, and so Morse is utterly alone. There are poignant scenes between he and Lewis, of him making final preparations, and of him sitting alone in his home listening to profoundly sad classical music. John Thaw as Morse gives a veritable tour-de-force, in the most subtle and gracious way possible, of the great detective in his declining days.
Special note should be given to all involved in the television adaptation, for they have, in my opinion, surpassed the novel. Colin Dexter's book was fine, but it dealt more heavily with the actual murder case, and the illness of Morse was left for small parts, usually at the end of each day. Here, with the version made for the small screen, we have the situation of Morse's closing life brought to the forefront. It is done well, and an experience to watch.
The last scene is terribly moving. I always make it a point to realize that when I sit down to watch a movie or television show, NOT to get too emotional, because there are only actors upon the screen - nothing is real. I thought I would be able to hold forth with said beliefs while watching "The Remorseful Day". But the very last scene, involving just Lewis and Morse, brought tears to my eyes. The swelling music and the starkness of the scene was a wonderful way to end the series.
The impression left is one not easily forgotten.
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
The video also includes...
3 Feb 2001
Here's my little addition to my previous review. THE REMORSEFUL DAY video also includes another tape, a 55min. little documentary called THE LAST MORSE. We get interviews of John Thaw and Kevin Whatley, Colin Dexter as well as from some interesting ones of Daniel Boyle and others. Like the other Morse documentary THE MAKING OF INSPECTOR MORSE, THE LAST MORSE retraces the popularity of the Morse series by examining Morse as a character and seeing what aspects of the series make the films so compelling. Although this documentary makes no attempt at being different in form from THE MAKING OF INSPECTOR MORSE, it is nonetheless a worthwhile 55 minutes. I only wished that they had included an interview with JAMES GROUT, or even perhaps JACK GOLD (director of THE REMORSEFUL DAY) or others involved in the making of the last Morse film. Even with those criticisms, THE LAST MORSE is a nice surprise in the REMORSEFUL DAY video package, and it is a nice to watch right after THE REMORSEFUL DAY so as to help one fully digest what he/she has just viewed--that is, the last Morse film. A nice touch. And very appropriate.
24 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Morse's End Predates John Thaw's by Only a Few Years
23 Feb 2002
Sad to see that the great actor, John Thaw has passed away from esophageal cancer.
This episode is on par with all of the other great episodes of this outstanding series. Thaw's portrayal of an intellectual, world-weary British detective who confronts often complex and involved cases of murder and other crimes.
Now episode to this point really brought home to me how much I loved Inspector Morse. I was actually quite angry to see the great Inspector face such health problems (an understatement), but in light of John Thaw's actual illness, I guess it is to be expected.
My only regret is that there are not 100 more episodes hidden away somewhere. Inspector Morse and John Thaw will be sorely missed.
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
