Product Details

• Actors: Richard Griffiths
• Format: Box set, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 3
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Acorn Media
• DVD Release Date: May 12, 2009
• Run Time: 488 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B001O4C6MQ
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #57,788 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Perfecting a recipe is like solving a crime, suggests Pie in the Sky, the clever British mystery series featuring sleuth-turned-chef Henry Crabbe (Richard Griffiths, The History Boys). After being shot by a notorious embezzler, Crabbe tried to retire from the police force so he could open a restaurant--but his weaselly superior officer, ACC Fisher (Malcolm Sinclair) blackmails him into remaining a detective. Thus begins Crabbe’s dual career, which of course proves handy as mysteries feature everything from omelets to edible snails. He’s assisted at the restaurant by his wife, Margaret (Maggie Steed, Sensitive Skin), despite her maddening indifference to food; he’s assisted in his investigations by DS Cambridge (Bella Enahoro), who works for Fisher but whose sympathies lie with Crabbe.

Pie in the Sky has an excellent balance of suspense and humor, exemplified by the very first episode’s opening: The snappy banter of policemen on a stake-out turns abruptly taut when a car careens into their territory, then segues into an elegant and almost eery face-off between Crabbe and the embezzler (played with crisp malice by Michael Kitchen, Foyle’s War). Some later episodes are more conventional, but odd narrative turns are a staple of the series (in one episode, it turns out a crime was never committed in the first place!). Griffiths is probably best know as Uncle Vernon Dursley in the Harry Potter series, but others know him as lecherous Uncle Monty in Withnail and I--which only demonstrates this superb actor’s remarkable range. His approach to Crabbe is almost gentle, yet with a decisive, cunning undercurrent. The ten episodes of Pie in the Sky: Series 1 unfold like a well-made meal: Unexpected yet delightful flavors are revealed with each bite. --Bret Fetzer

Product Description

The delectable British detective series

After 25 years in the force, Detective Inspector Henry Crabbe (Richard Griffiths, The History Boys, Harry Potter) has lost his appetite for the job. He plans to take early retirement and open his dream restaurant, Pie in the Sky. But his accountant wife, Margaret (Maggie Steed, Shine on Harvey Moon), doesn’t think the numbers add up. And his boss, ACC Fisher (Malcolm Sinclair, Casino Royale), needs him around to handle those delicate cases at which he excels. Although craving retirement, Crabbe discovers that crime solving can be just as hard to resist as his signature steak and kidney pie.

This lighthearted British mystery series blends criminal investigations and culinary adventure for the "perfect way to while away the afternoon" --The Times (U.K.). Guest stars include Michael Kitchen (Foyle’s War), Andy Serkis (The Lord of the Rings), Pete Postlethwaite (In the Name of the Father), and Julian Fellowes (Monarch of the Glen). As seen on public television.

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES INCLUDE interview with star Maggie Steed, production notes, biography of Richard Griffiths, and more.

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A QUIRKY COMBINATION OF COP AND CHEF MYSTERY SERIES., April 27, 2009

By 

Harold Wolf "Doc" (Wells, IN United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Pie in the Sky: Series One (DVD)

Although the box description touts the comedy aspect of this series, it is 98% police mystery. There is some lighthearted moments, and some images of fine food (no recipes provided), but expect some serious investigative work by a crime detective that sometimes has his own way to looking into the facts, sometimes not quite on the up-and-up, and always with his heart back at the restaurant called "Pie in the Sky."

Many kudos for the performance of Inspector Henry Crabbe (Richard Griffiths) as he unravels the sometimes nonexistent clues. He also cronically seeks time to work on new menu items and cares for his music loving chickens (eggs must be fresh). Crabbe's wife, Margaret (Maggie Steed), plays the perfect spouse, looking out for the financial side of Crabbe's retirement cafe as well as keeping him honest with his requirements to his police boss, Fisher.

Assistant Crime Commissioner Fisher (Malcolm Sinclair), is a man provided for the viewer to hate. He traps Crabbe into abandoning his retirement plans, after an investigation arrest goes bad, and Crabbe gets a minor bullet-in-the-leg wound while dining with the man supposed to be arrested. It looks suspicious. Fisher all but blackmails Crabbe into additional crime assistance, always at Fisher's beck-and-call, forcing the retirement "Pie in the Sky" restaurant to be started up under Margaret Crabbe's name. She doesn't even like food.

Each episode is a new call to a different crime and tough investigation that ACC Fisher needs help solving. Promotion seeking Fisher plans on Crabbe taking the blame if things go awry. For all viewers that enjoy English versions of police mystery, this is unusual and quite well done. Acorn Media has provided SDH subtitles for every episode, sometimes a help with the fast-talking, strongly accented, members of the cast.

Episodes (10 at 49 min. each) included in this first Series 1 set are:
1 The Best of Both Worlds- Crabbe gets shot, retirement delayed opener.
2 The Truth Will Out- Restaurant begins, along with police corruption.
3 An Innocent Man- Many food regulars, but one needs investigated.
4 Once a Copper- Seafood menu time, & a dead man returns.
5 A Shot in the Dark- Red herring and smuggling make a mixed menu.
6 Undesirable Elements- Crabbe public relations assignment finds crime.
7 Passion Fruit Fool- Fisher vacations,Crabbe stirs in restaurant crime.
8 A Matter of Taste- Wine menu, and Margaret gets involved with crime.
9 Who Only Stand and Wait- Farm fresh veg's, mix with buried body parts.
10 Endangered Species- Crabbe gets set up, must he arrest Margaret?

The 3-DVD set includes a Bonus Feature interview with Maggie Steed in widescreen. the episodes are in full screen. Enough crime and mystery suspense to keep you waiting for the "Pie in the Sky Series 2" coming later.

Final answer: British Police Mystery fans should buy; if you want British Comedy then give this one a miss.

20 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pie in the sky.DVD., April 9, 2009

By 

Veronica Koffman - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pie in the Sky: Series One (DVD)

I have seen these on BBC America, they are wonderful.
Part comedy part mystery.
I had tried to get them before but they were only
on Region 2. Delighted I can obtain them now.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Weaves elements of culinary delight into its slyly sumptuous storytelling, May 10, 2009

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pie in the Sky: Series One (DVD)

Starring Richard Griffiths (whose previous appearances include "The History Boys" and "Harry Potter"), Pie in the Sky Series 1 is the debut boxed set of a British DVD series that blends elements of mystery, police drama, and comedy into a witty whole. 25-year police veteran Detective Inspector Henry Crabbe longs to take early retirement and open the restaurant of his dreams, which he calls "Pie in the Sky", but his accountant wife thinks his dream is a bottomless money pit, and his boss needs him to handle those intricate cases that he has a natural gift for! A surprisingly lighthearted crime drama (at least, as lighthearted as any crime drama can be), Pie in the Sky even weaves elements of culinary delight into its slyly sumptuous storytelling. Special features include an interview with star Maggie Steed, production notes, a biography of Richard Griffiths, and more. Highly recommended. 3 DVDs, 10 episodes, 488 minutes plus 18 minutes bonus program, 4:3 full screen, subtitles.