Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated) Binding: VHS Tape EAN: 9781569384091 Format: Box set ISBN: 1569384096 Label: Acorn Media Manufacturer: Acorn Media Number Of Items: 4 Publisher: Acorn Media Release Date: 2000-09-29 Running Time: 200 Studio: Acorn Media
"There is something going on in the organization that is very undesirable and might lead to serious consequences," reads a note that the ill-fated Victor Dean wrote to his superior just before he took a fatal fall down the metal staircase at Pym's Publicity Ltd. These darned suspicious circumstances lead Pym to hire Lord Peter Wimsey to determine whether Dean's death was an accident or murder or eh, what? Ian Carmichael returns in his signature role as Dorothy L. Sayers's aristocratic sleuth in this characteristically impeccable 1973 BBC miniseries. The chaotic advertising agency is a ripe setting for intrigue (Sayers herself worked in a prominent London ad agency in the 1920s). Wimsey has a high time masquerading incognito as the firm's new copywriter, as well as the mysterious costumed Harlequin, a ruse he adopts to obtain information from the notorious socialite Dian de Momerie (Bridget Armstrong), whose lovers (Dean, among them) all come to bad ends, and whose den of iniquity is fronted by Major Milligan (Peter Bowles, of To the Manor Born), a drug dealer who corrupts bright young things.
Among the pleasures of a Wimsey mystery is his panache with the niceties of our English tongue. At one point he observes, "Truth in advertising is like leavenn in three measures of meal. It produces a suitable quantity of gas with which to blow out a mass of crude misrepresentations into a format the public can swallow." Let's see Nick Charles or Columbo wrap his tongue around that one. --Donald Liebenson
Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating: Summary: Nearly as much fun as the book Comment: I vaguely remember watching Ian Carmichael as Lord Peter Wimsey when this episode first aired in the 1970s. Nearly 20 years ago I first discovered the joys of reading the Dorothy Sayers Wimsey stories and have read nearly all of them.
I just finished reading "Murder Must Advertise" when I purchased this DVD set. The only disappointment--I was well into the book before I realized that Peter Wimsey and Death Bredon are the same person--something that's obvious from the get-go when watching the DVD.
I also own the Peter Wimsey-Harriet Vane set starring Edward Petherbridge--but Ian Carmichael, for me, makes a far better Wimsey. Customer Rating: Summary: capable but plodding Comment: I ordered this because I loved the Harriet Walter and Edward Petherbridge versions of the Harriet Vane stories and because this is the best of Dorothy Sayers' Wimsey stories. It lacked the pathos of Edward Petherbridge's version of Wimsey and somehow the wit got lost in the rather plodding re-telling of the plot. Some of this is due to the production values of the period it was made: you realise just how more imaginative and expressive the best direction and scripting has become since the seventies. Ian Carmichael does a good job, all things considered, although he is too old for the role, especially when he refers to his older sister who looks young enough to be his daughter. It fails to engage your imagination and the Pierrot identity that Wimsey assumes does require that the story have an ironic tone if it is to be carried off. Customer Rating: Summary: The Absolute Best Lord Peter Wimsey Story Comment: I'm probably biased, as it was the first Peter Wimsey adaptation I saw. Very true to the book, which is also my favorite Wimsey novel, and all the actors fit their roles well. Of note: Paul Darrow from BLAKE'S 7, Christopher Timothy from ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL (a very different character here as opposed to his laid-back James Herriott role!), Peter Bowles from THE IRISH RM and TO THE MANOR BORN. The advertising agency sequences are wonderful--things in the advertising business haven't changed much! Some reviewers say Ian Carmichael was too old for the role and enjoy the Edward Petherbridge stories more, but I particularly liked Carmichael's portrayal of Lord Peter and can forget his age in his skill in playing the part. Customer Rating: Summary: Victor Dean spirals to his death Comment: Victor Dean (Robert Hamilton) writes "There is something going on in the organization that is very undesirable and might lead to serious consequences,"
Shortly after that Victor Dean spirals to his death. An accident?
It may be coincidence but to be on the safe side Mr. Pym (Peter Pratt) of Pym's Advertising Agency heirs a privet detective "Death Breen" to secretly find the answer. Mr. Breen poses as a beginning copy writer and gets to know the staff. We notice that Mr. Breen is too well dressed for the part and looking closer we recognize him as...
Lord Peter (Ian Carmichael) used the address of the empty apartment owned by his brother-in-law Chief Inspector Parker (Mark Eden) and sister Lady Mary (Rachel Herbert)
While Lord Peter is doing his investigation of the mysterious doings at Pym's, Chief Inspector Parker is investigation dope smuggling. Their paths cross frequently.
Is there a link?
And was Victor Dean just a victim of an accident?
Watch and find out.
You may notice that Ian Carmichael is really showing his age in this film and is just a tad old for the part.
They took the time to put just about everything relevant from the book in to this production. There were a few exceptions but not worth bothering about. The production is complete enough that you do not have to read the book.
Dorothy L. Sayers writes many non-fiction books however among her best is the Lord Peter Wimsey series. I came to this series sort of though the back door. My first taste was the BBC productions with Petherbridge as Lord Peter, which can now be found on DVD and as a set of Lord Peter stories. So I read all of Dorothy's books containing the relationship of Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane. Now it is time to go through the whole series.
This item is worth purchasing as you will want to replay it often.
Lord Peter Wimsey - Clouds of Witness
Customer Rating: Summary: Advertising with a Twist ! Comment: I strongly recommend this DVD to all those amored of a cracking good yarn. The plot is well written and the players deliver their parts exquisitely. I had listened to BBC cassettes of this mystery for over 12 years before finally getting to see the TV version and I was thrilled with Ian Carmichael's portayal of Lord Peter Wimsey. There are some familiar faces in the cast, including Christopher Timothy, Peter Bowles, Bridget Armstrong, and Paul Darrow. The dialogue is so smart and effective throughout the show. The plot revolves primarily around who (if anyone) killed Victor Dean, a copywriter at Pym's Advertising and secondarily about the drug ring Chief Inspector Parker is pursuing. To see how they are related, you will have to watch the mystery unfold. If you really appreciate good English mysteries, you'll watch this show more than once, I have!
