The Black Tower

After 6 hours of watching, it ended like this? Have not read the book so I can't compare the endings. I guessed the identity of the murderer and why in the very first episode. I had seen a very similar plot in an Inspector Morse episode but I don't know who inspired whom.

Compared with other films in the Roy Marsden/Dalgliesh series, this one must have the most unpleasant cast of characters. The acting is unremarkable except for the actors playing the old priest and the old woman named Grace. Ugly interpersonal relationships abound, dialog filled with sarcasm, very far-fetched, unrealistic attitudes and motivations of several characters. Painful to watch all the way to the end. A more normal cross-section of humanity would have been better. There could not be so many unpleasant people all in one place. Of course I don't live in England, so what do I know? Other films in the series are better.

One of the best of the series if not without flaws.

Most of the good points are those that make the series as a whole enjoyable: Roy Marsden's marvellous portrayal of Dalgliesh; interesting relationships, characters, and motives that turn out not to be what was first thought; an interesting situation (a curious care home driven by an ethos based on the religious conviction of its founder whose staff are as screwed up as the inmates) providing the enclosure that is essential for a good who dunnit; and atmospheric use of locations (the tower by the sea and the over-large country house cum care home).

Similarly the main weaknesses here occur in some other stories in the series: relatively little light and shade among the character set and (gloomy failures are fine but a few brighter, shallower characters would help to vary the dramatic palate); and little forensic science applied to the solving of murders (some of the series's murderers would be banged up in five minutes if Dr Laura Hobson got a look at the body).

The stand out performance after Marsden here is Pauline Collins as a boozy, rational, emotional, witty, sad, cheerful, deliciously sexy, loving, not-loving wife. Collins is an absolute mistress of controlling the pace and air of a scene and of giving a character three different believable faces within a few lines without a hint of trying.

Martin Jarvis also gives a deceptively multi-layered performance as the head of the care home; the part could easily have been written for him as it makes good use of his tortured whimsical air.

The ending is a little mundane but I can forgive that after a pretty gripping six episodes.

This is a beautifully-done piece of slow, thoughtful whodunnitism - a type of drama that is, sadly, no longer available on TV.

Toynton Grange, a place of healing, therapy, recovery, and murder. Adam is brought in by his old friend Father Baddeley to look into a strange death, and series of poison pen letters.

As a story, it's deep and intricate, it's very character driven, and is a perfect mystery for the mind of Dalgliesh to solve. Adam is troubled here, we see a different side to the normally robust figure, Marsden is excellent.

The pace is slow by today's standards, but deliberately so, that pace allows the characters and plot to develop nicely.

It gets better as it progresses, and develops well, it is a little padded in parts, but the final two episodes are worth the mid point lull.

Excellent performances all round, Martin Jarvis and Pauline Collins stand out equally for me.

PD James is so clever at drawing you into a web of structure, order, and everything being as it should be, but scratch the surface and all manner of secrets lay.

I thoroughly enjoyed it, 8/10.

This six-part 287-minute presentation is my second 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 tell the story and keep you glued to the screen. I am continuing to discover a new favorite and intend to work my way through the balance of the films. I am watching in film order not book order.

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 in his own right.

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.

Inspector Adam Dalgliesh is recovering from a wound he got on duty. He is also depressed and thinking of giving up his job. A friend invites him to stay at a nursing home (Toyton Grange) and implies that there are some mysterious goings-on. Soon people are dying from too many convenient accidents.

O. K. For those of you that read the book you may find the end a tad different and a page short. But close enough for T. V.

Some of the scenery in East Anglia on the North Sea will rival the actors and story for your attention.