E1 ENTERTAINMENT P.D. James: The

The discs and storage container are good quality. However the shows are not in order of broadcast. These shows should be watched in order of broadcast because characters in his personal life come and go, so to keep his personal life as part of the drama and how he reacts to his life stage it is important to follow that in order of happening. So first thing find the order on the internet and put the box in order for convenience. The shows are really great very cerebral and intriguing. I think I am on my 4th or 5th time of watching them. I watch them and then go back in a year or so and watch them again. Great characters, story line and mystery. I had them all years ago but needed to replace my discs so was thrilled when I found this set for such a good price.

I was a bit wary of ordering this set because of some of the bad comments. I had watched the programs about 35 years ago when they were shown on PBS and really wanted to watch them again. They are living up to my good expectations. Yes, there is a lot of background noise sometimes. The production values might make this a period piece for some people but not me. I haven't had a problem understanding the dialog, which is strange because many of the recent British programs are difficult for me. The case for the boxed set is flimsy but I've been able to get the discs in and out without much trouble. I have been forced to re-box other sets before, so I know what the reviewers are talking about. This has been a good purchase for me! I will update if I find problems as I view the discs.

Homebound and self isolated during the 'age of COVID'. I decided to add to my library and have been buying severalBritish Murder Mysteries on CD. I have watched, since March, all the Miss Marple and Poirot stories in my collection for the umteenth time and branched out to the Midsummer Murder series and these. I like the early Midsummer series the best but have enjoyed them all as much as Grantchester and Endeavor. A little pricey to purchase the complete Inspector Morse series, I opted for the above mentioned in batches. These James stories are at times as puzzling and confusing as the Midsummer Murder Mysteries and with as much oddity I am learning. By that I mean it is sometimes very funny to learn British slang and such, and often times difficult to understand what they are saying. Unlike a Shakespeare adaptation where all the actors speak distinctly and clearly project their voice)s). the actors in this series, like those in Midsummer, speak rapidly and use the vernacular and colloquial speech understood by a British audience. As one reviewer wrote. " I wish they would include subtitles..." , for that very reason. That said and all in all , a good lot better than the boring violence witnessed in American crime stories and recommend all the UK productions for that reason. The main character in James, Commander Dalgliesh of Scotland Yard, is a somewhat quiet observer as well as a sly- when necessary, and sensitive character all at once. He writes poetry ! After viewing the first 3 stories it appears to me that Dalgliesh is somewhat like a Patricia Highsmith character, Tom Ripley to be exact. It is Dalgliesh who is or what is most interesting in these adaptations. The way he reacts to the other characters and the themes and plots and many twists and turns makes him a very complex person. At times witty, yet mostly a keen and taciturn observer, he interacts with the characters and the plot much like a Tom Ripley ( Highsmith) as he nonchalantly insinuates his presence upon the scene. He does not seem to be judgmental nor does he appear to physically react to the more gruesome evens such as murder. He does have an eye for a beautiful lady and a kindness inherent in his psyche - again reminiscent of a Highsmith character. The only problem I find while viewing is the length of these adaptations. It's been a very long while since I have read P.D. James and can not remember what I felt about them. Each chapter episode seems to go on a little too long and I feel could have been edited and shortened. They drag at times. Is this done on purpose to build the intrigue and slow moving suspense ? Hmmmm? Not sure it is that effective. For that reason I much prefer the Midsummer Murder series and Miss Marple and Poirot series which move the plot along so one can remember all the names and better follow the mystery. So, only 4 stars - but, recommend One Thing of Concern: 2 Stars for the sound. Can hardly hear at times with volume turned up to max Terrible transfer

We have many mystery movies and shows. This series of movies is one of our favorites. These stories are not simple, have character development and are not run of the mill, predictable shows. Do watch the first of the series first as there is valuable information about the lead character in that show. These are not one hour shows. The length varies. This is not a brand new series so expect picture quality etc. to be less than what we expect now. Excellent, entertaining shows. You will want to watch these when you are not going to be interrupted. You need to maintain your focus to get all the wonderful details they put into this series. Excellent, truly excellent and absolutely worth the money in our opinion.

The selections include favorites from the early years to the 90's in full 3-episode, 2-hour movies each, beautifully preserved, as never seen on the American TV series. "Shroud for A Nightingale" was much reduced for television and a much more complex story as a 6-hour production. Each of the 9 titles is out of sequence chronologically as TV series, but are perhaps selected as P. D. James themes. Each is a masterpiece and some I had never seen. The box set is beautifully done and will proudly join my growing collection of great English and American detectives.