The Ruth Rendell Mysteries Collection (Anthology/British TV/Acorn Media DVD Set)

 

Picture: C     Sound: C+     Extras: C-     Episodes: B-

 

 

In another convenient-but-large reissue set for fans, The Ruth Rendell Mystery Collection collects al the episodes issued in the following sets, but this time in slender cases:

 

One

http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/4910/The+Ruth+Rendell+Mysteries

 

Two

http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/6109/The+Ruth+Rendell+Mysteries,+Set+2

 

Three

http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/7099/The+Ruth+Rendell+Mysteries

Four

http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/8416/The+Ruth+Rendell+Mysteries

 

 

I was not so impressed overall and we spread the sets around to get other opinions from other writers here.  In all, though the shows can be interesting, but they just do not add up to one of the better anthology shows and after that first set, I did not expect them to.  Still, if you like some of them, you’ll likely want this set so catch the older single DVD outside of the set or some of the shows from the separate sets, then you might want to consider buying this and its rewatchability.  In any case, Acorn has produced a nice gift set and one that will make fans happy.

 

The 1.33 X 1 image is soft and for an early-1990s, production is odd, while the later anamorphically enhanced 1.78 X 1 shows look only slightly better.  Earlier shows have a slightly dark look, more consistent than you would expect from an anthology series, while the newer shows are softer and have some watered-down qualities.  The Dolby Digital 2.0 is simple stereo at best and is cleanly recorded.  Extras only include text on Rendell and cast filmographies for each show, plus a Super Sleuth: Inspector Wexford featurette.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo