Cover Her Face

I love Adam Dalgleish, love the character and the books. But after reading this book and seeing the TV adaptation, it's like two different stories. Why have they changed it so very much? It was an interesting story with enough drama and intrigue to make excellent telly without made up murders, invented drug rings and goodness knows what else. Also they updated all the stories in this TV series to the time it was made, instead of showing Dalgliesh's career over the years as the books do. I can understand that and maybe the premise of the book, which is so predicated on middle class post war values, wouldn't hold up to a 1980's setting. But to add so much silly action to it? Sorry, but I hated it.

While not a devoted fan of P.D. James, my husband and I have enjoyed several of her novels. We looked forward to the entire series of P.D.James adaptations in this set. But they were produced badly, and we can't quite figure out why. All of the actors bounce between being wooden and melodramatic, even though after looking up their other work they seem to be actors of high caliber. The camera angles seem borrowed from soap operas--even the music never seems to fit the action on the screen. The director, producer, screenwriter, or all three simply did not know what they were doing or did a very sloppy job. They are not unwatchable, but we found ourselves laughing at scenes that were supposed to be dramatic because they were so overdone.

Cover her face is a satisfying mystery, it possesses a great deal of intrigue, boasts a very good cast, and provides an interesting snapshot of life at the time, thoughts and attitudes.

The first three parts are a little slow, it does take its time to get going, from Part four onwards it takes on a whole new life, and picks up the pace. When one of the main characters is removed, I would argue the show isn't made better by their demise, that individual adds a lot to the story. Parts 4 and 6 I would suggest are the best.

The attitudes and behaviours towards pregnant and single women are so at odds with those most of us hold nowadays, the thought on there being institutions for single mothers, bizarre.

The acting is very good, Phyllis Calvert is the standout, a remarkably talented actress, Julian Glover is also good.

Dalgleish is strong throughout and charismatic, he makes his presence known, and remains dogged in pursuit of the killer.

It's an engaging whodunnit.

Intriguing, 7/10.

This six-part 291-minute presentation is my introduction to P. D. James. Naturally, I had to buy the book. Naturally, the book is better. However, that is not to distract from the film that took the time to really tell the story and keep you glued to the screen. I discovered a new favorite and intend to work my way through the balance of the films.

Even with the length of time to present this story they had to cut corners. However, in places, it was like reading the book word for word. Yet, the film neglects to mention that Chief Superintendent Adam Dalgliesh is wealthy and owns a yacht.

The story is sort of convoluted. There are quite a few characters and they all look guilty. It appears that everyone had an opportunity to do it. Chief Superintendent Adam Dalgliesh (Roy Marsden) has a way of making everyone confess and look right through you.

Sally Jupp (Kim Thomson) is visiting her old job in London when she meets an old friend. Soon her friend is dead and she just misses seeing the culprit(s) that did the deed. The story gets a little stickier when we find that Sally in an unwed mother with a mysterious father and a new love. She may not turn out to be sweetness and light. This can lead to many tragedies.

Some of the scenery will rival the actors and story for your attention.

This is my second favorite of the Adam Dalgleish mysteries - the first being the superb and fascinating "Devices and Desires" (which is the only one inexplicably not on DVD). (Update: "Devices and Desires" is now available on DVD).

The story here, the acting, the settings, are all first rate. An absolutely riveting murder mystery. That the other person commenting found it laughable in parts and overly melodramatic is mystifying to me.

Roy Marsden will always be the classic Dalgleish, sorely missed in the extremely inferior stories filmed after he left the series. Phyllis Calvert and the old woman who plays the cook in this one are particularly good. The seductive and cunning young woman who insinuates herself into the family, with the help of a wastrel son, is a master of female manipulativeness.

HIGHLY recommended for those who enjoy literate British mystery.