The Last Detective – The Complete Collection (Acorn Media DVD/British TV)
Picture:
C+ Sound: B- Extras: C+ Episodes: C
I like
Peter Davidson and he is not afraid to be a heal or goof, but The Last Detective is one of those
shows that never worked. For the four
seasons it somehow managed to be a (moderate?) hit, we were usually unimpressed
and made sure we got a cross-section of opinions on the show. Most were not impressed, but now, Acorn Media
has gathered all the episodes in The
Last Detective – The Complete Collection in another one of their DigiPak
booklets. This one contains all 17
telefilm episodes on 9 DVDs.
Here is
our previous coverage of the four seasons:
One
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/3463/The+Last+Detective+-+Series+One
Two
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/4346/The+Last+Detective+-+Series+2
Three
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/5202/The+Last+Detective
Four
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/6920/The+Last+Detective
The
picture and sound are about the same for all the sets, but nothing memorable
and you get a bonus DVD of the 1981 version with the great Bernard Cribbins
(recently worked on the new Doctor Who)
as the same character in Dangerous
Davies: The Last Detective. This
version as made by ITC in the end of its heyday and is far superior to any of
the episodes in this set, as well as sporting a superior cast, including
Bernard Lee, Joss Ackland, Bill Maynard, Frank Windsor, Avril Anders, Patsy Rowlands,
Jeremy Sinden and Colin Baker. Only the
loss of Sir Lew Grade at ITC explains why this was not picked up as a series
then. The money and energy are there and
the show (1.33 X 1 color film) was shot by Director of Photography Frank Watts,
B.S.C., who put ITC on the map with his great work on hit shows like The Champions, Department S, Jason King,
The Protectors, Space: 1999 and the last Grade-era series, Return Of The Saint. The
telefilm show looks great and far richer than the later series.
It is
also helmed by the great British gentleman director Val Guest late in his
career and the theatrical film filmmaker’s last TV movie. It is a welcome addition to this set and now
fans can judge for themselves.
- Nicholas Sheffo