Customer Reviews

The Ruth Rendell Mysteries: Set 4

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"The Ruth Rendell Mysteries Set 4," fourth installment of the British television series made by Granada for the United Kingdom's ITV (Independent Television Stations), arrives on these shores. The shows aired in the UK from 1987-2000; they aired in syndication on public television stations here in the 1990s. The popular British mystery series is, of course, based on the prolific work of best-selling English crime writer Ruth Rendell, surely one of the most acclaimed, award-winning queens of the contemporary literary psychological mystery/thriller. The current series consists of two feature -length Inspector Wexford mysteries; it stars George Baker as the Chief Inspector; Christopher Ravenscroft as his deputy, DI Mike Burden. The set consists of two DVDs, runs approximately 353 minutes, and includes a bonus program, "Super Sleuths." Each of these episodes has been previously available individually. The set lacks subtitles, and could use them, as all Rendell's well-brought up characters speak softly.

Episode 1. Simisola. Wexford's Nigerian-born doctor privately asks the Inspector to find his 22-year old daughter Melanie, who has suddenly disappeared. The effort to track Melanie will lead to two murders, and develop into an emotionally-charged case heavily influenced by issues of race and class.

Episode 2. Road Rage. Rendell's favorite town, Kingsmarkham, is in an uproar as environmental activists disrupt the construction of a local highway bypass. The body of a young and beautiful long-missing German tourist turns up in the nearby woods: she has been sexually assaulted and strangled. A group that claims to consist of radical environmental activists kidnaps several villagers for leverage, Wexford's wife among them.

By American standards, Grandpa Wexford looks old enough to be long retired from the police, but what do we know? The series is deliciously filmed, on location in the English countryside and its small cities, and there are sufficient cars, character actors, and extras to give the productions a realistic look. Granada has really not stinted in the making of these. And each episode builds to a powerful conclusion, despite the fact that they are not based on the author's top-notch work, but are based on works perhaps too limited by convention, political correctness, and the 1990's headlines of the day. "Simisola," in particular, reminds me of Sam Goldwyn's well-known witticism, "When I want to send a message I'll use Western Union."

Mind you, as a woman and a human being, I strongly approve of this specific message, and believe Rendell has a right to send it, but the mystery does suffer for it. Be that as it may, you have two absorbing mysteries here, and mystery lovers who do not already own these separately should welcome them.

I bought this set thinking it was new stuff---no wonder the old set is no longer being manufactured because Acorn has re-packaged Simisola/Road Rage with new picture on cover--I was so disappointed when I went to play and saw that I already had these stories--to be fair--did not play...Maybe Acorn inproved something.--I bought this set in MARCH BEFORE Amazon finally showed the episodes included ---my star rating is NOT for the stories or even QUALITY of the tapes but to make YOU AWARE of what is being offered--NEW COVER does not mean NEW STORIES..

Same as last reviewer--thought this was going to be a new Set 4, but these two (Road Rage and Simosola) have been out for years. I bought them several years ago as a set. Very sneaky--I too almost ordered this before checking out what stories it contained. Be careful.

Wow, I thought long and hard about buying these, then I decided to rent them from Netflix. I thought I was having deja-vu or mixing the episodes up with some Midsomer Murder episodes. Glad I did not as I already have them. I did not put it together until I was reading these reviews! This did happen to me with Murder in Suburbia. I think this is a bit too sneaky. Not so pleased with Acorn, eh?

It is more than annoying that these otherwise fine productions are chopped up -- apparently suited for the insertion of commericials. They must originally have run in segments -- why else would you have credits in the middle AND at the end?

Sometimes,I had to fish around to find the proper order

I would not buy another one.

These two episodes have been out on single DVDs for years. I would not expect many sales, as true fans already own both. Hopefully, poor sales will not deter more sets in the series, as I will certainly buy those.
More Inspector Wexford, please!!