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Category:    Home > Reviews > Comedy > Detective > British TV > The Last Detective – The Complete Collection (Acorn Media DVD/British TV)

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


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