Product Details

• Actors: John Thaw, Kevin Whately, Colin Dexter, James Grout, Peter Woodthorpe
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Bfs Entertainment
• VHS Release Date: November 11, 1998
• Run Time: 102 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6302901685
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #325,746 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

There is more than a hint of romance in the air as Inspector Morse embarks on another baffling murder investigation. The diffident detective finally plucks up the courage to ask Dr. Grayling Russell for a date. Duty calls as Morse, played by John Thaw, is about to trip the light fantastic with the attractive pathologist. Playboy architect Michael Gifford has been found strangled in his car, and the only clues to the murder are his diary and a car park ticket. The diary show that Gifford had regular assignations in the car park, and a telephone number proves to be that of a local insurance company, although Gifford did not have a policy there. The plot thickens as Morse and Lewis uncover a love triangle involving the dead man.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Indiscretions of a British wife, January 10, 2006

By 

Michael Williams "Pamela Williams" (Saginaw, Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Inspector Morse - The Secret of Bay 5B (DVD)

This entry in the Morse series is entertaining, as well as unusual in some respects. The plot basically revolves around the murder of an architect (Michael Gifford) whose body is found in a car left in a parking garage. The investigation yields information which indicates that while Gifford was a talented and successful architect, he was also an unscrupulous rogue who responded vindictively toward women who attempted to terminate sexual relationships with him. A number of possible suspects emerge early in the murder inquiry, including the alcoholic husband of a woman (Rosemary) who had an affair with Gifford, a fellow architect (Brian Pearce) who had been denied a business partnership, and the thief who broke into Gifford's parked car.

As the case progresses, however, Pearce commits suicide and Rosemary's husband dies under suspicious circumstances. The actual perpetrator of Gifford's murder is determined at the latter stages of the mystery. Morse displays his penchant for shrewd analysis, as he evaluates the possible relevance of items such as post cards, expensive paintings, and time stamped parking tickets to the Gifford murder. Ultimately, solving the case hinged upon the presence of a Jaguar automobile at the edge of the forest and a clever bit of trickery involving car keys. For the most part, the character portrayals are excellent. Mel Martin, in particular, played the role of the vain, selfish, and manipulative Rosemary to perfection.
This mystery was also characterized by some unusual and humorous elements. The viewer is confronted with Morse embarking on a potentially romantic relationship with a female pathologist; moreover, Morse is actually invited by an attractive call girl (Camilla) to sample her charms on a gratis basis. Morse's uncomfortable reactions to the overtures of the call girl are both predictable and humorous.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Parsifal and Red Herrings, April 10, 2007

By 

William J. Thor (Vero Beach) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Inspector Morse - The Secret of Bay 5B [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Early on we find Morse relaxing at home listening to Wagner's "Parsifal." Shortly thereafter he misplaces his tickets for that same opera and another opera "Der Rosenkavalier" is casually mentioned. However, that's the end of the opera trail as it has no effect on the actual mystery - although the tickets are eventually found and this diversion becomes part of a nice sidebar between Dr. Grayling Russell, the pathologist, and Morse which continues to run throughout the entry. The mystery involves two murders and a suicide with many suspects - too many? The tale is sprinkled with red herrings and various tangents to lead us a merry chase toward a resolution keyed by a ploy Morse conceives to ensnare the culprits. I initially gave this three stars, but subsequent viewing leads to a better informed four stars.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspector Morse BBC Series, May 30, 2009

By 

Loaghaire - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Inspector Morse - The Secret of Bay 5B [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I have collected all 33 Inspector Morse episodes and in my opinion, it is one of the truly fine British detective series on record. John Thaw plays Morse and becomes the character; a very interesting and unusual person to play a police detective. His sidekick, Sargeant Louis, and the entire supporting cast are great. The scenes of Oxford University are wonderful, as well as scenes of rural England surrounding the town. I enjoyed every one of the episodes. They can be watched many times and you come away with something new. Strongly recommended. Purchase the complete series (boxed set dvd's), if you can afford it. I have some dvd's and some VHS copies.