Lord Peter Wimsey: The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club [VHS] | ![Lord Peter Wimsey: The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club [VHS]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51WAK9V11TL._SL160_.jpg) | Actors: Ian Carmichael, John Quentin, Vivien Heilbron, Anna Cropper, Donald Pickering
Studio: Acorn Media
Category: Video
List Price: $59.99
Buy New: $9.99
as of 7/30/2010 10:58 MDT details
You Save: $50.00 (83%)
New (5) Used (23) from $3.70
Seller: media-of-america
Rating:  13 reviews
Sales Rank: 5682
Format: Box set, Color, NTSC
Language: English (Unknown)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Media: VHS Tape
Number Of Items: 4
Running Time: 180 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.3 x 4.2 x 1.1
ISBN: 1569383529
UPC: 054961352937
EAN: 9781569383520
ASIN: 1569383529
Theatrical Release Date: December 2, 1973
Release Date: March 21, 2000
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Tell A Friend
Add to Wishlist
Add to Wedding Registry
Add to Baby Registry
| |
| Similar Items:
| |
| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
"I'm investigating when a man died of natural causes," states aristocratic sleuth Lord Peter Wimsey, "but it's beginning to look more interesting everyday." So it is in this impeccably mounted 1972 BBC miniseries, which would make Dorothy L. Sayers's peerless literary creation proud.p Ian Carmichael stars in his signature role as the stylish, cultured, and erudite Wimsey, whose investigation into the death of General Fentiman is as irresistible as "poking sticks into a peaceful and mysterious-looking pond to see what was on the bottom." Fentiman died in his favorite chair at the staid Bellona Club. Oddly enough, his sister died the same day. Wimsey agrees to try and determine when Fentiman died ("I shall enjoy it," he exults). In a nutshell, as one character states (which is always helpful in increasingly complicated cases like this), dispersion of the inheritance will become "uncommonly awkward" depending on who died first.p The "whendunit" becomes a whodunit when it is revealed that the general was poisoned. The unflappable Wimsey has a colorful gallery of suspects to consider, including the increasingly unhinged George, one of the general's grandsons (why is he smashing a bottle of digitalis?), and Ann Dorland, who stands to benefit most if the general died first (what's the deal with the books on chemistry and poisons she has recently purchased?). Other memorable characters further enliven the proceedings, among them the Munns, George's bickering (and at one point blackmailing) landlords.p As the very British title suggests, this is not a crime thriller to set the pulse racing (the discovery of Fentiman's body is referred to as "something rather unpleasant"). But as the mystery unfolds over the course of 180 minutes (and 4 volumes), it is as captivating as a good late-night read. I--Donald Liebenson/I
|
| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 13
 Another Superior British Mystery April 11, 2010
drkhimxz (Freehold, NJ, USA)
The late Ian Carmichael's (1920-2010) portrayal of Dorothy Sayers Lord Peter Wimsey, is a hallmark in the period of British TV series focused on quality of characterization by first rate performers rather than innovations in the style of film-making or gritty, brutal, reality-oriented portrayals of crime. That is, perhaps, one of the reasons why each such series is better than any individual representation and why the character emerges as far superior to any of the particular episodes in his or her adventures. So it is that Lord Peter is memorable while no particular title equals him, Hercule Poirot, Miss Marple, as well as the creations of Margery Allingham, Ngaio Marsh, P.D. James and Colin Dexter, among others, continue to entertain us in reruns that remind us of the qualities of their protagonists.
br /In The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club, the creative staff and Ian Carmichael, did not take advantage of the possibilities already well established, when Sayers wrote the book, by P. G. Wodehouse, for the humor in the archetypal British Men's Club, beyond allowing the surface absurdities to show a contrast to some grim realities, the unpleasantness at the Club. Wimesy is rather more sombre than is some other outings but still a master at gentlemanly sleuthing, his brother-in-law, Bunter-his man servant, and the Lady who may have done it, are particularly well done in necessarily subdued roles, while the portrayal of the shell-shocked suspect, who must indulge in some hysterical sequences, still manages to contain these within the bounds of his characterization.
br /All in all, a fine digital reproduction of the original 1973 four episode TV series, with sharp colors and colorful actors. A most enjoyable time will be had by all who prize this style of performance.
 Entertainin' and Don't Seem At All Dated February 15, 2009
EddieLove (NYC, USA)
This series really holds up, thanks to the solid source material and Carmichael's sensational star turn. His Peter Wimsey is all "g" droppin' mannerism and he crisply rattles off reams of dialogue with an effortless charm that brings to mind Johnny Carson who he resembles a bit. Yet, he's also a thoroughly believable character played with deft naturalism. It's a performance that should be held in the same regard as Guinness' Smiley and Leo McKern's Rumpole.
br /
br /The mystery here is involving, but kind of quaint, that is until we get to the final scene, which is a knockout.
Enjoy the Peter Wimseys March 12, 2008
Atheen M. Wilson (Mpls, MN United States)
I have the entire collection of the Carmichael Wimseys, and although I agree with the reviewer who said the actor doesn't meet my image of the character, I also have to say that he does grow on one with each succeeding play--and, because of it's vintage (970's), the series is in fact more like filmed theater, which makes it all the more enjoyable. By the time I got to Lord Peter Wimsey - Murder Must Advertise I enjoyed the Carmichael take on the character. I'm not sure quite who could play this role true to the author's version. The Edward Petherbridge Wimsey Dorothy L. Sayers Mysteries (The Lord Peter Wimsey-Harriet Vane Collection - Strong Poison / Have His Carcass / Gaudy Night)was also difficult to engage with, but his version was also very good. Perhaps the character is so much a creature of mind that there is no definitive Wimsey except that in ones head.
br /
br /The sets are marvelous, the costumes impressive, and the music enjoyable. Everything about the play is what a reader of the older genre, the classic who-done-it, expects the period and the "English" to be. It's like a visit to a past that probably never existed but that is enjoyable nonetheless. Anyone who enjoyed the books will definitely enjoy the plays.
br /
br /Wonderful series.
 The Test of Time January 14, 2008
Terran (Sunny CA USA)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Well, this isn't something I'd watch multi-times if I had it at home. Like all BBC productions from 70s, it is cheaply made, though probably exact on the details, but stagebound, in that it's all set in rooms, the set decor really nice, but somewhat claustrophic. Cheap/regular video rather than film. Makes it look sketchy on screen instead of precise. I don't find the lead character to be that interesting. Though it is still a cozy mystery (takes place betw the two World Wars) it is excessively talky, the actors physically plain, sometimes irritating, and lacking in charm. Makes it more REAL that way, but less FUN. It's nice to see something NEW, but at the same time, if given a choice between seeing again my least favorite Midsomer ep or any Miss Marple or Poirot or one of the lesser-known sleuths, or watching one of these Wimsey's, I wouldn't be grabbing for Lord Peter.
"Waiter take away Lord what's-his name" April 5, 2006
bernie (Arlington, Texas)
"He's been dead for two days..."
br /
br /We are introduced to the Bellona club were young Captain George Fentiman (John Quentin) and Lord Peter Wimsey (Ian Carmichael) two war survivors are talking a little too loud about General Fentiman (Ralph Truman), Georges grandfather. General Fentiman is not responding and for good reason he is dead. Upon further investigation we find that the general's sister Lady Dormer has also died the very same day. Poor George will only inherit 2000 pounds. However who gets the lion's share of the estate all hinges on who died first. Lord peter as a friend and a snoopy armature sleuth must ascertain the answer and if there is foul play the perpetrator. In any case this is a most unpleasantness at the Bellona Club.
br /
br /I think sometime these programs are made for those that have already read the book because you can not put everything from the book into the series the highlights and major information is all there but some of the how they got to the information is missing in obvious gaps. Still the essence is captures quite well.
br /
Showing reviews 1-5 of 13
|
|
|
