Product: Inspector Morse [VHS] (1988)
Rating: 4.0
Vintage Morse!
This is the first "Morse" that I remember seeing and liking immensely. I recall that I had to acquire a taste for the series (which I now fully appreciate). "Last Bus to Woodstock" is a good place to start. The mystery is intriguing and not overly-complex. Both Morse and Lewis are in their prime, and the settings are, of course, magnificent. Among the memorable characters is a rather sweet and sharp-eyed old lady (played by Fabia Drake), who seems to imagine herself as Miss Marple. The acting, as is to be expected, is first rate, and Mr Pheloung's music, with its fascinating 'Morse code', is both familiar and splendid. One has no feeling at all that the film, made in the late '80s, is dated.I took a chance and bought a used copy of a DVD made by Carlton BFS Video. The transfer is excellent; the picture sharp, and there were no scratches or skips. The 'special features' are nothing to write home about: the usual selected filmographies and trivia. And, unfortunately, there is no closed captioning.I'm glad I purchased it though. I'm putting it on the shelf along with my extensive "Lewis" collection.