La signora in giallo - Appuntamento con la morte

Jessica Fletcher becomes a speaker at Speakers' Incorporated attended by various authors. Russian author Uri Malenkovitch also attends to promote his book about the KGB. When he is killed, Jessica must help a struggling writer who is accused of his murder.

Angela Lansbury looks older yet shines as always, with her reassuring, matronly presence causing to make you forget about the world's ills for just a short while. She gives her character a human quality, which I feel is one of the reasons why MSW was so successful. Here, this TV movie isn't so different than the episode, except that it's longer, elaborating on characterisation and plot. The plot is quite engaging, and it's just all cosy fun that is so much fun.

It is good to see Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury) back in action in the second TV movie after the Murder, She Wrote TV series ended. This time, Jessica is among the guest authors at the Speakers Incorporated to give a speech. Russian author Uri Malenkovitch (Duncan Regehr) is another attending author and plans to promote his book about his former days in the KGB. When he is murdered, Jessica is called upon to help solve the case.

This movie possesses the same charm, sleuth tactics and plot twists and turns of the TV series, and is filled with much intriguing plot points and daring investigation scenes that puts Jessica collaborating with the sometimes oblivious local investigators and FBI agents to solve the case (it would have been better to have the detectives and FBI prove to be a little more resourceful and credible than relying on Jessica so much). I especially enjoyed how each of the authors has a background story and each one is considered a suspect, like a Clue-style case.

The direction and pacing are pretty good and, although much of the movie is all-talk and less action, the quality of the acting, the aspects of the drama and script, and the unpredictability of the plot made the movie nonetheless captivating. I also especially enjoyed some of Lansbury's eloquent and meaningful dialog she delivered throughout the movie.

With all the finger-pointing and perplexed situations, you would be eager to find the truth of the matter and who is behind the all the murder. It is a good TV movie that continues the nice throwback to the heyday of the TV series.

Grade B+

Along with South By Southwest(the best of the TV movies), A Story to Die For is one of the better TV movies based off the TV show, which I am a fan of. There are one or two parts in the middle half that drag slightly, but A Story To Die For is strikingly filmed with interesting locations and photography, and the music is excellent. The script is fine as is the direction, and the story is gripping and intense, with an ending that even I never expected. The acting is also strong, Angela Lansbury is superb as Jessica, while Richard Crenna is brilliant here, very likable and the chemistry between him and Lansbury is magic. Overall, a wonderful TV movie. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Following in the footsteps of the TV show, this TV movie did not disappoint. The characters, most especially J.B. Fletcher were well thought out and the acting was good. It was nice to see the return of one of the greatest television shows of all time, and it came back with a story symbolizing what made Murder, She Wrote so good. The people involved didn't see a TV movie with a bigger budget as an opportunity to create more action and special effects, the true reasons for Murder, She Wrotes popularity: the characters and stories (involvement of the viewer in solving the crime) remained in the fore-ground. It truly was a story, an event, a show to die for. (In the literal sense, of course.)

(Amazon Prime has the four "Murder She Wrote" movies now. Do a search for "Murder She Wrote--New".)

This second MSW movie is about a speakers conference, where writers and others are attending to learn about performing and making money at speaking engagements. The movie was not as good as the first one, but still classic Jessica Fletcher. A nasty ex-KGB director/writer is killed and his manuscript is stolen. Quite a few suspects, but I did guess who the killer was without trying.

At the end of the film, Jessica gives a long speech about why murderers should never be allowed to get away with murder, and why no one should resort to murder. Interesting, since with many MSW TV episodes, the viewer may feel the killer should get away with the killing. I guess this explains why all the MSH stories never lets anyone get an out-of-jail-free card.