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From Amazon.co.uk
Series 1
The fact that John Thaw was able to make his eponymous character in Kavanagh QC stand out as a unique personality distinct from the superficially similar Inspector Morse says much about his understated skills as an actor. Thaw brought his trademark mixture of curmudgeonly belligerence and gruff sensitivity to Kavanagh, but the barrister--who first appeared on our screens in 1995 while the Oxford detective was still alive and kicking--is no polished-up Morse. He is far worldlier, is married and has a family. And although he is often troubled by his cases, he is never afraid to play the system. He knows that there are devious, even superficial lawyers, some of them in his own chambers, who he must face across the courtroom, but he acknowledges them as an unavoidable aspect of the world in which he works. The plots are often convoluted, but Kavanagh's wielding of the trusty sword of truth is always irresistible, particularly when the case involves some kind of high-level government aberration. "The End of Law" is a case in point; a particularly nasty tale about an unexceptional businessman framed for a murder which covers up an unpleasant security scandal. It's dark and dirty and full of troubling compromises. In the end, as with most of his cases, Kavanagh's craggy features convey a subtle hint of the sourness which comes with his chosen territory. --Piers Ford
The fact that John Thaw was able to make his eponymous character in Kavanagh QC stand out as a unique personality distinct from the superficially similar Inspector Morse says much about his understated skills as an actor. Thaw brought his trademark mixture of curmudgeonly belligerence and gruff sensitivity to Kavanagh, but the barrister--who first appeared on our screens in 1995 while the Oxford detective was still alive and kicking--is no polished-up Morse. He is far worldlier, is married and has a family. And although he is often troubled by his cases, he is never afraid to play the system. He knows that there are devious, even superficial lawyers, some of them in his own chambers, who he must face across the courtroom, but he acknowledges them as an unavoidable aspect of the world in which he works. The plots are often convoluted, but Kavanagh's wielding of the trusty sword of truth is always irresistible, particularly when the case involves some kind of high-level government aberration. "The End of Law" is a case in point; a particularly nasty tale about an unexceptional businessman framed for a murder which covers up an unpleasant security scandal. It's dark and dirty and full of troubling compromises. In the end, as with most of his cases, Kavanagh's craggy features convey a subtle hint of the sourness which comes with his chosen territory. --Piers Ford
Product Description
The Kavanagh Q.C. - The Complete Collection - Series 1-5 box set contains all 27 episodes of the much-loved courtroom drama starring John Thaw. In the series, Thaw plays an esteemed Barrister named James Kavanagh, whose utter dedication to his demanding career has left his private life in tatters. Kavanagh is one of Britain's top legal minds and he routinely elects to tackle the most difficult cases--involving rape, pornography and vigilantes--for little reward; he also has a tendency to sympathise with the underdog. Despite this, Kavanagh's most testing conflicts are often played out in the family home.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
90 of 96 people found the following review helpful
By Wilz
VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD
I watched some of these first time round, on the "box". Pretty good then but somehow John Thaw was "Morse" and in a wig and gown somewhat silly!
With the passage of time, his wonderful performance in Mr Tom and our loss of this greatly loved actor, I was more inclined to watch this afresh. So, treated herself to the complete series for watching on cold winter nights. And am I glad I did. Although "padded out" with several sub plots running at the same time, the story lines are always good and sometimes quite controversial. Quite long episodes gives you chance to settle in to each story and the acting quality by all involved is excellent.
Quality of Dvd's is fine and the camera work high quality.
Mainly though, some sensitive issues are handled from quite a fair legal perspective and most episodes leave you thinking about the particular issue involved.
Well worth the money, particularly if you enjoy Thaws northern gritty style.
With the passage of time, his wonderful performance in Mr Tom and our loss of this greatly loved actor, I was more inclined to watch this afresh. So, treated herself to the complete series for watching on cold winter nights. And am I glad I did. Although "padded out" with several sub plots running at the same time, the story lines are always good and sometimes quite controversial. Quite long episodes gives you chance to settle in to each story and the acting quality by all involved is excellent.
Quality of Dvd's is fine and the camera work high quality.
Mainly though, some sensitive issues are handled from quite a fair legal perspective and most episodes leave you thinking about the particular issue involved.
Well worth the money, particularly if you enjoy Thaws northern gritty style.
79 of 85 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
So far as I can see, Carlton's description of this as "the complete collection" is just untrue, and the claim in Amazon's product description page that it contains "all 27 episodes" is also false, and I hope they'll correct it. The set does contain 27 episodes, but 29 were made, so three hours of the show is missing.
It appears that Carlton left out the concluding episodes 7 and 8 of series 4, Ceremony of Innocence (28 April 1998) and Seasons of Mist (5 May 1998). Maybe incompetence, maybe in order to release series 4 as a three-disc set and not a four-disc set. Internet episode guides seem quite unshakeable on this, and there are plot summaries at various places online. So be warned.
It appears that Carlton left out the concluding episodes 7 and 8 of series 4, Ceremony of Innocence (28 April 1998) and Seasons of Mist (5 May 1998). Maybe incompetence, maybe in order to release series 4 as a three-disc set and not a four-disc set. Internet episode guides seem quite unshakeable on this, and there are plot summaries at various places online. So be warned.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By ceriithomas
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I've submitted reviews on each series; this overview of the collection draws various themes together. Kavanagh has a complex personality: as an interrogator, he is merciless and awesome; in conference, he is direct and non-judgemental; as a father, he is firm but benevolent; as a husband, he is flawed but loyal. John Thaw has delivered a convincing performance in each of these roles, developing the script character into a likeable leading role (if not always an easy one).
Some viewers may find the Kavanagh format too formulaic: the 'unwinnable' brief; the unresponsive defendant; the cliffhanger trial; the diverting sub-plot; the embarrassing incident involving Kavanagh's rival, Jeremy. But the formula works, and the collection never loses its originality.
Part of this formula relies on the strength of the supporting cast. Viewers will no doubt already be familiar with the regular cast, but some of the visitors are outstanding too: Geraldine James as the razor-sharp interrogator in Nothing But The Truth; Paul Rhys as the eerie murder suspect in Job Satisfaction; Deborah Findlay as the god-fearing mother in Bearing Witness.
Complex moral issues are raised. Should victims of rape have to endure interrogation? Should war criminals be held to account for their distant past? Can a social worker's distant relationship with a teenage client ever be foregiven? These matters are treated sensitively, sometimes leaving open moral answers.
Questions of law are also aired - the priviliged positions of ecclesiastical and military courts; an inadequate trial defence as a ground of appeal; a tort case where the claimant does not request damages.... Read more ›
Some viewers may find the Kavanagh format too formulaic: the 'unwinnable' brief; the unresponsive defendant; the cliffhanger trial; the diverting sub-plot; the embarrassing incident involving Kavanagh's rival, Jeremy. But the formula works, and the collection never loses its originality.
Part of this formula relies on the strength of the supporting cast. Viewers will no doubt already be familiar with the regular cast, but some of the visitors are outstanding too: Geraldine James as the razor-sharp interrogator in Nothing But The Truth; Paul Rhys as the eerie murder suspect in Job Satisfaction; Deborah Findlay as the god-fearing mother in Bearing Witness.
Complex moral issues are raised. Should victims of rape have to endure interrogation? Should war criminals be held to account for their distant past? Can a social worker's distant relationship with a teenage client ever be foregiven? These matters are treated sensitively, sometimes leaving open moral answers.
Questions of law are also aired - the priviliged positions of ecclesiastical and military courts; an inadequate trial defence as a ground of appeal; a tort case where the claimant does not request damages.... Read more ›
30 of 34 people found the following review helpful
By Marty Gillis
Format:DVD
I am a huge John Thaw fan and was led to this program after Inspector Morse and The Sweeney. I like the way the characters develop over the series and have enjoyed watching it in order. I have only two complaints, one being that John Thaw's screen time isn't all that much compared to his other shows and the video transfer is sorely lacking in many of the episodes. Poor contrast and brightness levels pop up after the first series and the overall picture quality can get pretty bad , the result of overly compressing the files. Putting 3 episodes on each disc was pushing it a bit much and it shows. However, the sheer amount of entertainment I am getting with this set is enough to have kept me happy with my purchase. In my humble opinion,John Thaw is excellent in anything he has ever done on the screen. Kavanagh QC is another notch in his unbelievably great CV!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Murph
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Wonderful collection and highly entertaining. The only down side is that is doesn't contain all the episodes but it's a minor detail when you consider how many episodes you do get. Love the British way of acting where they actually let the actors' faces do the talking without having to explain everything every five minutes!!
23 of 27 people found the following review helpful
By MarxBrother3
Format:DVD
John Thaw was a wonderful actor who, unfortunately was largely ignored in the states. Kavanagh is a terrific and well done series with some very recognizable British actors. The stories are well written. The acting is superb. Television began a steady decline in 1972. Most programming offered today is reality based shows that are nothing but base trash. Very rarely do you find quality programs to watch such as Kavanagh QC. Most of the television I watch is from DVDs I buy from Amazon.co.uk. Kavanagh is one of those sets. The cinematography is beautiful to see. The music very well composed. John Thaw was a master at bringing believability
and depth to his characters. Kavanagh was a quality program, the likes of which are rarely ever seen in the states. I would not hesitate to purchase this box set.
The price is incredible. The content unbelievable.
and depth to his characters. Kavanagh was a quality program, the likes of which are rarely ever seen in the states. I would not hesitate to purchase this box set.
The price is incredible. The content unbelievable.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Just Great
Just Great from start to finish. So easy to shop at Amazon. Shame you cannot pay your Taxes like everyone.
Published 3 days ago by Keith
5.0 out of 5 stars
Time passes by but...
This serie is always very good and I'm lucky enough to have met a woman who used to know Joh, Thaw as a very kind man.
Published 16 days ago by Alain Roubaud
4.0 out of 5 stars
Kavanagh Q.C. - The Complete Collection
Excellent storylines of the episodes I have viewed but the modern high definition imageing that is commonplace today leads one to forget how the quality that we marvled at only 15... Read more
Published 24 days ago by MikeT
4.0 out of 5 stars
Prime Suspect
Not had chance to watch the collection yet, so can not make any guidance on whether all episodes are contained in the box set
Published 1 month ago by laidback
5.0 out of 5 stars
I love it and can watch it over and over again.
It is brilliant!! I love David Suchet as Poirot, I admire his perfection in creating such extravagant and not easy character. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Margot Radomska
5.0 out of 5 stars
very good
I love Kavanagh,excellent and especially has sub titles.dvd with no subtitles are no use to me,as I have a hearingproblem.
Published 1 month ago by M. Pacitti
3.0 out of 5 stars
IS this Morse or what
I am looking at this, it clearly says Morse complete series 1-12 but hte blurb is rabbiting on about Kavanaugh QC as are half the reviews, well those that aren't tlaking about... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Mr. M. Regan
1.0 out of 5 stars
mystified!
why are these reviews of Kavannagh on the Cracker site? I am very confused as to the mix up. Someone please explain?
Published 2 months ago by Pauline Henshaw
5.0 out of 5 stars
Classic
Magnificent, from beginning to end! Thaw must have been one of the greatest British actors ever. Loved this series just as I loved Kavanagh, QC.
Published 2 months ago by John A. C. Gibson
5.0 out of 5 stars
What a joy
An attractively presented box set of more than 20 episodes of this series. The best buy we have made for a long time. So far up to episode 11 and every one has been a delight. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Sums
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