Product Details

• Actors: Peter Davison, Brian Glover, Andrew Burt, Moray Watson, Iain Cuthbertson
• Directors: Christopher Hodson, Ken Hannam, Michael Owen Morris, Robert Tronson
• Writers: Brian Thompson, Jeremy Paul, Jill Hyem, John Hawkesworth
• Format: Box set, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo)
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 4
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: BBC Warner
• DVD Release Date: May 4, 2004
• Run Time: 430 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0001DMUF4
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #24,008 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

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• For more information about "Campion - The Complete Second Season" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
For the second season, the creators of the British mystery series Campion have cranked up the adventure and derring-do. The deceptively bookish 1930s sleuth Albert Campion (Peter Davison, also a former Doctor Who) and his formerly thuggish manservant Lugg (Brian Glover) dive into four two-part stories that start modestly and cleverly escalate to high suspense. In Sweet Danger, Campion must prove that a cheerful trio of siblings are the heirs to a tiny Balkan kingdom that's suddenly become politically significant; along the way are a mysterious millionaire and hints of witchcraft. Dancers in Mourning starts with petty vandalism at a musical comedy revue but builds to an awful bombing--even Campion, who normally views murder with relish, is disturbed. Flowers for the Judge is the least exotic of the lot--the entire story takes place in London as Campion investigates a murder in a publishing firm--but the tightly wound plot is possibly the best of the season. The final piece, Mystery Mile, features a hedge maze, a disappearing judge, quicksand, conjuring tricks gone awry, a rooftop rescue, and a nefarious criminal mastermind. Even better, these juicy set-ups are carried out with delightful skill; the writers and directors have tightened everything up, with utterly seductive results. Even when the conclusion feels a little lacking, getting there is great fun. The only complaint might be a shortage of the ever enjoyable Lugg, who plays too small of a role in a couple of the shows. --Bret Fetzer

Product Description
Studio: Warner Home Video Release Date: 10/25/2005 Run time: 440 minutes Rating: Nr

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More Action Packed, May 20, 2004

By	C. A. Luster "The Rook" (Burke, VA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

If you enjoyed Campion's first season you will probably love this season. Well at least if you like some thriller action. The first season was a little lofty and whimsical. This season draws you into intense intrigue and action from the start. The first movie finds Campion allying himself with a couple chums to ferret out a great mystery. They must determine why a wealthy gangster is trying so hard to grab up items that will prove the heritage of an heir to a small but mineral rich kingdom in Europe. I was sitting on the edge of my seat the whole episode fearing the worst for his new found romantic/intellectual interest.

The second movie finds Campion investigating two murders at the theater. Campion must investigate an interesting group of performers that make you suspicious of them in one way or another. The third movie has him investigating how a man was murdered and locked into a strongroom at a publishers vault. The coroner's findings shed some light on the case, but make it difficult not to jump to conclusions. The fourth movie is mystifying and interesting and we are given puzzles like a maze leading to a missing person, quicksand that is not forgiving, and a frightening revelation when one of the ladies is kidnapped. The criminal behind it is cunning and Campion must keep his wits. This was a very exciting episode and I enjoyed it and the first one in the set the most.

Great production values as usual with the same high quality standard for detail in the sets and costumes. All in all a excellent addition to your DVD collection. A must have for any that bought the first season. After seeing this set I only wish they had made more seasons of this wonderful series. Ashame how often when a series finds its legs they pull out the rug from under them.

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Why must all good things come to an end?, January 13, 2005

By	babydoh - See all my reviews

The second series of Campion is every bit as wonderful as the first. Why, oh why were there only two?! Ah, well. We have eight amazing episodes to watch over and over on DVD (sixteen, I suppose, if you count each half as an episode), and there are certainly worse things. I should start off by mentioning that the order in which they've advertised the stories on the side of the box is WRONG. Wrong, wrong, wrong. As they were originally presented in 1990, "Dancers In Mourning" was the first, followed by "Flowers for the Judge," "Mystery Mile," and THEN "Sweet Danger". Do NOT watch "Sweet Danger" first -- it must be saved till last. Trust me!

Now, on to the episodes themselves: "Dancers In Mourning" is my personal favorite of the four, tied in my book with the first season's finale, "Death of a Ghost". It (Dancers In Mourning) deals with a series of murders that occur within a group of actors performing in a musical, and it keeps you on the edge of your seat till the very end. And there is a sort-of-romance for Campion on the side, to boot! This one is not to be missed.

The sophomore episode, "Flowers for the Judge," is the story of a murder that occurs at a publishing company. Although parts of the story seem just a tad contrived (and here I am referring solely to the jury process in the court scene - horrific!), it's a good story. Plus it has a terrific ending.

Number three, "Mystery Mile" (the name of a seaside town, as it turns out) is another captivating tale. Its plot is complex and I hesitate to give too much away anyway, so I'll leave it ambiguous and intriguing by saying merely that it involves a magician; quicksand; visiting "Americans" (read: good British actors employing atrocious accents and almost managing to make themselves look bad, and one of whom incidentally is a doppelganger for Topher Grace). And, best of all, there is Campion in a sailor hat. (*Homer Simpson-esque gurgling noise*)

Finally, there is "Sweet Danger." "Sweet Danger," which leaves so much to be desired -- not because the episode is bad, quite the opposite; but because it breaks off Campion's story just where you MUST KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT!!! (Footnote for those who have seen it: I was later informed that the character of Amanda Fitton was supposed to be a teenager. Who knew?)

And last but not least, I feel it is my duty to review Peter Davison. Ahh, Peter Davison...what can one say? He manages somehow to be even lovelier and more charming than in the first season, and this is no mean feat. This man has the funniest, sweetest smile on earth. If for no other reason, watch this series for that!

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A lovely place to visit., July 5, 2004

By	Atheen M. Wilson "Atheen" (Mpls, MN United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Although I enjoyed reading all of Margery Allingham's Albert Campion series, I wasn't sure if I'd like the film series. Sometimes the characters and ambience that are in your mind as you read are so different from those presented by putting them into three dimensional reality. I needn't have hesitated, however, since Peter Davidson's Campion and Brian Glover's Lugg are just as I imagined them. While the latter would be a fairly simple character to enact, the former is by no means easily captured. The Campion in the stories is a complex character, slightly foppish and light hearted, like Lord Peter Whimsey, yet no ones fool. Davidson gives the character just the right blend of wittiness, intellect, and affability.

Each of the stories in the collection are a treat for anyone interested in period settings, and the 1920s and 1930s are among the more enjoyable. The architecture, furniture, automobiles, clothing, make-up, and hairstyles encapsulate the era beautifully. The mysteries themselves are quite clever and entertaining. A lovely visit to a pleasant time and place and interesting people.

Of this foursome I enjoyed Flowers for the Judge, about a murder in a publishing house, the most enjoyable, with Sweet Danger the dearest of the set. Dancers in Mourning seemed to wander a little like it was having trouble finding its solution, and Mystery Mile seemed a little too contrived and melodramatic. Still all four are worth watching more than once just to spend time with the characters.