DVD Reviews

Midsomer Murders: Barnaby’s Casebook – DVD Review

By June L. Dec 18, 2009, 11:47 GMT

WHAT EVIL LURKS BEYOND THE WELL-TRIMMED HEDGES OF MIDSOMER...

Do you have a mystery lover on your gift list?  If so, Acorn Media has constructed the perfect present in this fine set of intriguing episodes from the popular series Midsomer Murders. 

Whether you are a long time fan, or you want to introduce someone to the show, this compilation (as well as an earlier collection Midsomer Murders:  The Early Cases) make a splendid single or pair for a home DVD library.

Midsomer County’s villages and countryside are peaceful and lovely, seeming not at all to be the scenes of the crimes and dramas that Chief Detective Tom Barnaby (John Nettles) is called upon to investigate. How can places that are so postcard perfect harbor such abominable criminals and cutthroats? 

Barnaby has no illusions about his county, like many a good detective he has a strong understanding of human beings and the many ways in which they can go wrong.  Gathered in Barnaby’s Casebook are some of the most sinister and wicked crimes to ever take place in a village, and yet the stories are told with wit, humor at times, and the viewer is always left with the sense that as long as Barnaby and his co-workers are handling the case, there is hope for justice.

The Barnaby’s Casebook collects 17 mysteries, arranged in the U. K. broadcast order of episodes released in sets four, six, seven and eight.  

In this time period Barnaby loses his assistant Sergeant Troy (Daniel Casey) to a promotion, and takes on a new assistant who is somewhat more brash Sergeant Dan Scott (John Hopkins.)  Based on the stories of novelist Caroline Graham, Midsomer has gained a large following around the world. 

This set of 19 DVD’s is enhanced with an insert which has a history of the show written by co-creator Betty Willingale in which she explores the beginnings and the popularity of Midsomer Murders.  Also there is an essay by actor John Nettles that takes an in depth look at Barnaby’s partners Daniel Casey and John Hopkins.  It is always interesting to have the principle actor’s take on elements of the series.

Midsomer Murders: Barnaby’s Casebook includes the seventeen mysteries that have a total running time of 28 hours.  There is a bonus disc featuring a map of Midsomer County and the various towns and villages incorporated into the action of the series.  There is a biography of Caroline Graham as well as cast filmographies for the stars. 

Episodes are enhanced with program notes and the set includes another bonus disc with a behind the scenes documentary hosted by star John Netles and “Super Sleuth” a featurette about the first ten years of Midsomer Murders.  The stories included are: Tainted Fruit, Ring Out Your Dead, Murder On St. Malley’s Day, Market for Murder, A Worm in the Bud, A Talent for Life, Death and Dreams, Painted in Blood, A tale of Two Hamlets, Birds of Prey, The Green Man, Bad Tidings, The Fisher King, Sins of Commission, The Maid in Splendour, The Straw Woman and Ghosts of Christmas Past. 

Visit the DVD database for more information.