Inspector Morse – The Dead Of Jericho (BFS/6 telefilm set)

 

Picture: C     Sound: C+     Extras: C+     Telefilms: B

 

 

BFS has decided to issue Inspector Morse in a Morse Complete Collection that offers the entire series in a wooden box with a book and all 33 telefilms on DVD.  Of course, that is a huge set and we have covered one of the regular sets before (Infernal Serpent begins the 4^th season) and can tell you this set is even a bit better.  The series started out strong.

 

To recap, John Thaw became an international TV star as the famous Chief Inspector, riding around in his Jaguar XK-120 (a car previously associated with gangsters and highly collectible by fans in its long out-of-production Dinky Toys diecast edition) solving case after case.  The shows are as follows from the 1^st and beginning of 2^nd season as follows and its known guest stars:

 

1)     The Dead Of Jericho – Patrick Troughton, Gemma Jones

2)     The Silent Waters Of Nicholas Quinn – Clive Swift

3)     Service Of All The Dead

4)     The Wolverine Tongue – Simon Callow, Kenneth Graham

5)     Last Seen Wearing – Elizabeth Hurley, Peter McEnery

 

Colin Dexter also appears uncredited in some shows.

 

Even in the beginning, these shows avoided formula more often than their counterparts or imitators and that Thaw could carry the show among so much talent is amazing.  In watching these early shows, it feels like the end of one era of British TV and the beginning of another.  The classy action show faded into the sunset, but the mystery show went on.  Whether you start with this volume or splurge and buy the $500 set, you can’t go wrong.

 

The 1.33 x 1 image was shot in 16mm film with Panaflex 16 camera on Kodak film.  These are PAL video masters converted to NTSC and the results are mixed.  These have the older BFS logo on them, so we can chalk up part of the slight haziness to transfer age in this case.  The Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo has no Pro Logic surrounds, but sounds very good.  All DVDs have text extras on Thaw, the cast (bio/filmographies) and even trivia.  This is one of several mega sets BFS has issued, something fans will be happy to hear.  This set also a 50 minutes long Making Of Morse that is well done.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo