Quite some time ago I invested in the complete set of DVDs featuring Peter Davison as the legendary sleuth created by Margery Allingham, Albert Campion. I have to admit that I have only just opened the box, but this is not due to any particular lack of enthusiasm. I'm afraid that I have three other box sets still awaiting attention – too many shows, too little time!
I started by watching Police at the Funeral, simply because I had heard good things about the book on which the episode was based. What I did not know was that the plot bears a passing resemblance in some respects to a rather good Sherlock Holmes short story. But Allingham handled the material in her own distinctive style, and to good effect.
Peter Davison has always been a likeable actor and, although I do not claim to be any sort of expert in Allingham's work, it does seem to me that he is rather well cast as Campion. He is aided and abetted by the splendid Yorkshireman, the late Brian Glover, who plays the part of Lugg. I always relished the enthusiasm that Brian Glover seemed to bring to every role, and he was in his element here.
The supporting cast included Timothy West, who was as watchable as ever. The story moved at a brisk enough pace and I enjoyed the episode, possibly more than I expected to. I shall certainly not leave it too long before watching another instalment in a series
Thursday, 21 April 2011
Police at the Funeral
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6 comments:
Martin - Oh, I'm sure you will enjoy the rest of those shows. Campion is a good character and Margery Allingham was a talented author. I'm glad this episode was well-done, and I look forward to your reviews of the rest.
In fact, you've reminded me that I really must include a Margery Allingham book in my In The Spotlight series...
I think the series only got better as it went along. I never can read Allingham without seeing the series' Campion and Lugg now. It's a shame there was never a third season. I much prefer this to the Lord Peter and Harriet series and the Alleyn and Troy series from roughly the same period.
I saw these shows some time ago, and I agree that Davison was good as Campion and Glover was a perfect Lugg. I think the early Allingham was rather light and insubstantial and they did very well making them something more. As for the later Campion, well, no one can improve on the books.
Really I should go back and read them all again.
Martin, I have this boxset as well & I haven't watched any of the episodes either! Like you, I snap up bargain boxsets but have no time to watch them. I reread several of the Allinghams a couple of years ago (first time I'd gone back to them simce I read them as a teenager) so I really must watch the series one of these days.
I think that I would enjoy these DVDs. It is great that you share your 'finds' with us.
Peter Davidson is the right age for the later Campion now... but perhaps the books are too subtle for people who make TV drama. Tried to watch an Alleyn story with Simon Williams - they'd made one of the characters a transvestite and slowed the story down with a lot of guff about feelings! And they gave Alleyn Wimsey's shell shock.
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