Drawing on her love of theatre and art, New Zealand author Ngaio Marsh created elegant crime-puzzlers full of quirky characters with hidden agendas, all brought meticulously to life in this ... Read allDrawing on her love of theatre and art, New Zealand author Ngaio Marsh created elegant crime-puzzlers full of quirky characters with hidden agendas, all brought meticulously to life in this BBC series.Drawing on her love of theatre and art, New Zealand author Ngaio Marsh created elegant crime-puzzlers full of quirky characters with hidden agendas, all brought meticulously to life in this BBC series.
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Having read the two previous comments, both of which read as though they had been written by two citizens of Superman's Bizarro World (where everything is exactly the opposite of how it is in real life), I felt I had to come to this fine series' defense. Taking the accusations one by one:
Ngaio Marsh was indeed a brilliant writer; her detective stories have in fact made a great TV series, and this is it. Patrick Malahide is a gifted actor, it's true, and he was perfectly cast as Roderick Alleyn, precisely because he makes of him so much more than "a stereotype toff." I agree that Marsh's Alleyn remains elusive as a personality throughout the series of novels; and Malahide, sensing this essential quality of Marsh's hero, allows a cloud of reticence to hover around his Alleyn to exquisitely ambiguous and subtle effect. Troy, played with equal finesse and discretion by Belinda Lang, is, in fact, portrayed as "an individualist with her own career as a painter" -- in fact, one episode (Final Curtain) features her prominently, on her own, noting many crucial clues while fulfilling a portrait commission! (Needless to say, she never says "You never have time for me!" or anything of the sort.) The adaptations are extremely clever and elegant, managing to retain much of the loveliness of Marsh's unparalleled drawing-room conversation while keeping within the time limits set by a 98- minute format. Period detail is not "ladled on," at all. On the contrary, the art direction, cinematography (a nearly subliminal sepia filter tints the series) and set decoration are, as we've come to expect of these British productions, impeccable and always convincing. The comparison of Marsh's stories -- and this production of them -- with those of P. D. James is useless: Marsh's readership and tone were entirely unlike those of James, and their books are apples and oranges. It's childish to rank one over the other. The pace is leisurely -- not "slow and badly done." The "interplay of characters" is extraordinarily full and complex throughout the series -- but it is subtle, discreet and low-key, all evidently the sort of virtues which threaten to put some critics and their wives to sleep.
In short, if you enjoy civilized old-school British mystery of the very best sort, you can't do much better than Malahide and Lang in The Inspector Alleyn Mysteries. I for one can't wait for the second DVD set.
Ngaio Marsh was indeed a brilliant writer; her detective stories have in fact made a great TV series, and this is it. Patrick Malahide is a gifted actor, it's true, and he was perfectly cast as Roderick Alleyn, precisely because he makes of him so much more than "a stereotype toff." I agree that Marsh's Alleyn remains elusive as a personality throughout the series of novels; and Malahide, sensing this essential quality of Marsh's hero, allows a cloud of reticence to hover around his Alleyn to exquisitely ambiguous and subtle effect. Troy, played with equal finesse and discretion by Belinda Lang, is, in fact, portrayed as "an individualist with her own career as a painter" -- in fact, one episode (Final Curtain) features her prominently, on her own, noting many crucial clues while fulfilling a portrait commission! (Needless to say, she never says "You never have time for me!" or anything of the sort.) The adaptations are extremely clever and elegant, managing to retain much of the loveliness of Marsh's unparalleled drawing-room conversation while keeping within the time limits set by a 98- minute format. Period detail is not "ladled on," at all. On the contrary, the art direction, cinematography (a nearly subliminal sepia filter tints the series) and set decoration are, as we've come to expect of these British productions, impeccable and always convincing. The comparison of Marsh's stories -- and this production of them -- with those of P. D. James is useless: Marsh's readership and tone were entirely unlike those of James, and their books are apples and oranges. It's childish to rank one over the other. The pace is leisurely -- not "slow and badly done." The "interplay of characters" is extraordinarily full and complex throughout the series -- but it is subtle, discreet and low-key, all evidently the sort of virtues which threaten to put some critics and their wives to sleep.
In short, if you enjoy civilized old-school British mystery of the very best sort, you can't do much better than Malahide and Lang in The Inspector Alleyn Mysteries. I for one can't wait for the second DVD set.
I am a compulsive reader and collector of books and DVD's. I disagree with any of the comments that state Patrick Malahide is not cast right as Inspector Alleyn. He is perfect in the role, as is Lang playing Agatha Troy. Having studied English actors for many years, I can't think of another pair that could have done a finer job in these roles. They are akin to the castings of Lord Peter Wimsey (Edward Petheridge) and Harriet Vane.
I have read all of the Alleyn novels, the Dagliesh novels, the Morse novels, the Wimsey novels, the Agatha Christie novels (yes all of them), and too many others to name. Each time I play the character in my head as I read - and Malahide is perfect, as is Lang. They play well off each other, their acting skills equal.
I have read all of the Alleyn novels, the Dagliesh novels, the Morse novels, the Wimsey novels, the Agatha Christie novels (yes all of them), and too many others to name. Each time I play the character in my head as I read - and Malahide is perfect, as is Lang. They play well off each other, their acting skills equal.
Someone asked me what is are good English murder mystery to read and to watch. He had seen a lot of Agatha Christies' novels on the screen but was quite sick of them. I told him about Alleyn mysteries written by New Zealander Ngaio Marsh. The books are great and this short series are brilliant. Patrick Malahide is a perfect Roderick Alleyn and when I read the books I immediately picture Patrick as the main character. Belinda Lang suits the role as Troy and Inspector Fox is a likable person. The cases are terrific, my personal favourite being a man lay dead but they are all good. You'll find yourselves glued to the screen and as I said to my friend, this is what traditional English mysteries are like... a must watch.
We are avid consumers of BBC mysteries, and the Alleyn Mysteries are one our favorites. The acting from the lead players is subtle and involving (and far better than anything on American TV) and the usual variety of excellent British actors appear throughout the series. The stories are well written, the dialogue is convincing, the character development is enjoyable, and the directors respect the intelligence of the viewer. Highlights are the nuanced development of the relationship between Alleyn and his love interest Agatha Troy, and the delightful exchanges between the aristocratic Alleyn and his middle class next-in-command, Inspector Fox. The only disappointment is the limited number of these shows.
What is it with these British mystery series? They're all wonderful in their own way.
I haven't researched this totally, but I believe that Alleyn, Campion, and Inspector Lynley were all inspired by Lord Peter Wimsey to some extent. And that's okay, because their characters and stories were tackled by good writers.
This series stars Patrick Malahide, Belinda Lang, and William Simons. The first episode that I saw, I kept staring at Patrick Malahide and saying to myself, why is it that I distinctly remember seeing another actor in this part? Well, I had, and it was Simon Williams - years ago.
In the books, Alleyn is known as Handsome Alleyn. I don't think Malahide is handsome, and I notice it's not mentioned in these episodes. He is, however, very elegant, and Malahide underplays, giving him a somewhat mysterious quality. Belinda Lang for me is perfect as Agatha. Remember, this is the '40s, not 2015. It was a more formal time. And these are mature people, taking their romance slowly. There's an undertone of flirtation, wryness, insouciance -- they have both been around the block a few times. As a couple, they are marvelous.
The mysteries are very good, normally taking place among the upper crust. I love William Simons as Fox - rough and tough, no nonsense.
These are engrossing mysteries. They're not filled with car chases, things blowing up, or over the top characters. It's not bombastic. It's British upper class, after all.
I haven't researched this totally, but I believe that Alleyn, Campion, and Inspector Lynley were all inspired by Lord Peter Wimsey to some extent. And that's okay, because their characters and stories were tackled by good writers.
This series stars Patrick Malahide, Belinda Lang, and William Simons. The first episode that I saw, I kept staring at Patrick Malahide and saying to myself, why is it that I distinctly remember seeing another actor in this part? Well, I had, and it was Simon Williams - years ago.
In the books, Alleyn is known as Handsome Alleyn. I don't think Malahide is handsome, and I notice it's not mentioned in these episodes. He is, however, very elegant, and Malahide underplays, giving him a somewhat mysterious quality. Belinda Lang for me is perfect as Agatha. Remember, this is the '40s, not 2015. It was a more formal time. And these are mature people, taking their romance slowly. There's an undertone of flirtation, wryness, insouciance -- they have both been around the block a few times. As a couple, they are marvelous.
The mysteries are very good, normally taking place among the upper crust. I love William Simons as Fox - rough and tough, no nonsense.
These are engrossing mysteries. They're not filled with car chases, things blowing up, or over the top characters. It's not bombastic. It's British upper class, after all.
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