The Irish R.M. – Series Three (British TV)
Picture: C
Sound: C+ Extras: C Episodes: B
Peter Bowles wraps up his work in the final episodes of The
Irish R.M. in 1985, seeing the character through of a British gentleman
retired from their Army who decides to take a job as a Resident Magistrate in
Ireland. Mayor Sinclair Yeates must
wonder if he has done the right thing with his life. These final shows never made it to Masterpiece Theater for
whatever reason, but it is some of Bowles best work and a satisfactory
conclusion to a very smart show.
To recap, Yeates is an honest man, still insecure by these
next shows, which keeps them interesting, as he is still suffering somewhat of
an adjustment disorder. Hoping to have
companionship in his life and make a better community for all, Ireland still
has much new to offer. The episodes in
this 2 DVD set, each running about an hour staring with the thirteenth in the
series, are:
1) The Muse
In Skebawn
2) Major
Apollo Riggs
3) The
Friend Of Her Youth
4) In The Curranhilty
Country
5) Lisheen
Races
6) The
Devil You Know
Roy Ward Baker continued directing the series and that is
one of the primary reasons it holds up and works all the way through. One of the greatest of British gentleman
directors, his skills remains underappreciated decades later. As for Bowles, his understated work is
impressive, showing he can do more than just comedy and “bad guy” roles. Though we recommend you begin at the
beginning with the first series set (all from Acorn Media), it will be worth
the effort to work through all of them.
The 1.33 X 1 image was shot on either analog PAL video
made to look like film, or more likely 16mm film. Either way, this shows its age, but is nicely shot and has a feel
that offers a side of Ireland that is uncommon for British TV. These final shows have a little more detail
trouble than the prior ones, but the shooting has style. The Dolby Digital 2.0 sound again takes the
original monophonic sound and gives it a boost to simple stereo that makes it
clearer and the combination is pleasant to sit through. Extras again include new cast filmographies,
four Irish food recipes with stories, and a text profile of Somerville &
Yates. The Irish R.M. – Series Three
flows well, also thanks to those great actors.
If this is your kind of TV and you have not seen it, now’s your chance.
- Nicholas Sheffo
