Heat of the Sun

Colonial Kenya provides an exotic, fascinating backdrop for this excellent PBS Mystery series. Heat of the Sun is what I call the "kitchen sink" approach to detective fiction, with every crime imaginable--from murder, arson, and drug-running, to blackmail, banditry, and slave trading--perpetrated under the hot African sun. The excellent acting, the palpable romantic chemistry between the two main characters, the hypnotic setting, and the clever, convoluted plots, all combined to make this a memorable viewing experience. Hopefully, we'll be seeing the continuing adventures of Superintendent Tyburn, Emma Fitzgerald, and company, before too long!!

This series mixes genres and conventions in a most enjoyable way. It has elements of police procedural, hard-boiled detective story, historical mystery, and colonial soap opera. Trevor Eve is fun to watch as Tyburn, the tough, incorruptible British cop who is both repelled and amused by British society in 1930s Nairobi, Kenya, while refusing to become enmeshed in its racism and decadence. The lovely Susannah Harker is under-used as his aviatrix girl friend. The rest of the supporting cast is highly effective. I am not an expert on the period, but the stories give a good flavor of life as it was lived in that place and time.

From every aspect this programme is tremendous. I am mesmerized whilst watching and sad when it ends. The attitudes of social stature are clearly portrayed. I find this highly enjoyable.

This was a great series - Trevor Eve played the part of Superintendent Tyburn with a wry subtlety that fit the part. Having lived in Kenya myself when I was growing up, it was easy to relate to the foreigner in another country who does not fit into his "home" society anymore, but will never be African either. I can not comment on costume inconsistencies or period setting mistakes (one comment mentioned a 1939 rifle in 1933), but these do not detract particularly from what is essentially a mystery novel on DVD. As for the idea of "nazis" in 1933 Kenya, I think other comments may be jumping to conclusion. Tyburn was following leads to drug smugglers, if I recall correctly, and Germans in East Africa would not have been unheard of, considering that Tanzania was, at one point, a German colony (I believe Queen Victoria once gave Mt. Kilimanjaro to the Kaiser for his birthday, hence the strange "jog" in what is otherwise a straight line border between Kenya and Tanzania).

I really miss this series. Well acted, well shot, high production values, a touch over the top here and there in terms of story and characterization, but all in all a very good mini series.

Trevor Eve does an excellent job of portraying Superintendent Albert Tyburn, a duty bound independent thinker and detective in the Kenyan colonial police force, but he is not there by choice. To find out why you have to watch the series :-)

Some of the other commentators have remarked on some of the details of the series, costuming, props and so forth, but I found the art direction quite thorough, and very convincing when combined with a talented cast and direction. There may be some inaccuracies here and there (note the antenna on the plane), but in general the series does portray the appropriate visuals for both time and setting.

I found the cinematography quite complimentary to the characters and setting. There's a definite feel for a place distant, warm, inviting and full of intrigue all at the same time. The visuals draw you into the series, and appropriately enhance the drama.

If I were to offer any kind of criticism it's that there wasn't enough exposition of Eve's character's background. There're references here and there, and synopsized tidbits, but not much of a good exploration of his military background and general history: We do know he's a man of discipline and high ideals, even when it comes to race. But, be that as it may, much to the director's and Eve's credit they don't portray Tyburn as a racial crusader, but a man who believes in the sovereignty and application of law to all people.

On that note the series does explore racial relations in 1930's Kenya, but doesn't make its primary theme. It's a mystery series, and crimes are committed by people of all shades and stations. Its Tyburn's unfortunate duty to bring justice to Nairobi's malefactors :-)

Part of the series appeal isn't just that it's a period piece, but a series set in Africa with an unlikely and welcome portion of action. It's primarily a mystery series, but not exclusively. Again, to see why you have to watch it :-)

An excellent series that deserves to be reaired.

Do yourselves a favor and rent, buy or check out the series from your local library. You won't be disappointed.