Inspector Morse: The Settling of the Sun (1992)
Review by Dindrane
Film:
DVD:

Based upon the novels by Charles Wood, based on the stories of Colin Dexter
Directed by Peter Hammond
Starring John Thaw, Kevin Whately, James Grout, Peter Woodthorpe, Amanda Hillwood, and Clare Holman

Features:

• Text biographies
  
• Selected filmographies
  
• Trivia
  

Released by: BFS Entertainment
Region: 1
Rating: NR, suitable for audiences 13+
Anamorphic: N/A; presented in original 1.33:1 aspect

My Advice: Rent it.

Inspector Morse (Thaw), that Oxford-trained Sherlock, is back on campus to deliver a prize in an international crossword-puzzle contest, as a favor to an old friend. During dinner, one of the foreign guests staggers to his feet complaining of stomach issues and is soon found dead--crucified and strangled. Morse is stumped, as everyone was present at the dinner, right in front of him, at the time of the murder, so who could have done it? And why? Mixing international drug smuggling with good old fashioned revenge, The Settling of the Sun is one of the best Morse mysteries to date.

The acting here is excellent. If only there could have been more of the wonderful Amanda Hillwood as Dr. Russell the pathologist--it would have added a sometimes-needed additional aspect to the show, as well as giving her more to do with her interesting character. Thaw and Whately as Morse and Lewis are wonderful, separately and especially together, the perfect combination of educated experience and modern cleverness.

The features are a nice blend of educational and entertaining, with some background on the actors and the writer of the original Morse books. I would have liked to have seen a text commentary on the differences between the original book and the screenplay, or perhaps a few words on the difficulties inherent in bringing a book like this one to the screen, but you can’t have everything.

The video is a bit muted and aged, given that the film stock was made for TV and is a few years old, but it is pleasant enough viewing nonetheless. The audio is a bit dull, however, as there just doesn’t seem to be much going on in places. The plotting is careful, some might say slow, and the sound could have done a good job of livening things up.

Overall, if you like mysteries, then you’ll enjoy this one. While Morse lacks the cleverness and humor of Poirot, or even the beloved crankiness of Miss Marple, Morse is still smart and academic to the core. Fans of police tales like TV’s Hill Street Blues or NYPD Blue will like this one, though there’s much less on-screen violence. Give it a rental.