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Gather your wits, the elderly super-sleuth returns for a second round of investigations. While many actresses have filled her shoes, none but the great Joan Hickson can boast about being “favorite” to play the part of Miss Jane Marple by the author, Agatha Christie. The four delightfully baffling mysteries in this set encompass the 1987 – 1992 production years and celebrate the 30th anniversary of this television program.
Miss Marple, an elderly woman working as an amateur detective with keen instincts and small town insights, doesn’t appear to be a threat to anyone. Truth is that she wouldn’t hurt a single person but her sharp-eyed intelligence has even the local police force shaking in their boots. She’s on top of everything and always keeps her wits about – especially when there is a murder to solve. Created by Agatha Christie in 1926, the series was a co-production between the BBC and A&E and remains a classic favorite for fans to revisit.
When a country-house murder happens right under Miss Marple's nose, she gradually deduces how They Do It with Mirrors. A nursery rhyme comes horribly true in A Pocketful of Rye. Whatever happened to the body of a woman murdered on the 4:50 from Paddington? And in The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side, who was the intended victim of the poisoned cocktail that killed Heather Badcock? Hickson, as the ardent title role, stays one step ahead of everybody in these stylish and lushly produced mystery dramas, also starring Jean Simmons, Peter Davidson and Claire Bloom.
Miss Marple, as previously noted, is a good example of the production values popular in the 1980s. For the English, the show combines new Victorianism in moral standards and presents a sanitized version of England's rich past. Mostly set in rural surroundings, the English architecture and country mansion houses are heavily featured. Like many BBC programs from the period, production values are impeccable and costumes, houses and decor, cars, hairstyles and make-up are detailed. The details released by the High Definition transfers only make what we knew to be true previously more scrumptious for viewers.
All four mysteries have been completely remastered to high definition quality from the original film elements by BBC Studios and Post Production's Digital Media Services team. The dynamic presentation is a significant upgrade and, ultimately, visual treat that should not be missed by any fan of Miss Marple.
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[tab title="Blu-ray Review"]
Blu-ray Details:
Available on Blu-ray - March 31, 2015
Screen Formats: 1.33:1
Subtitles: English SDH
Audio: English: DTS-HD Master Audio Mono; English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
Discs: 50GB Blu-ray Disc; Two-disc set (2 BDs)
Region Encoding: A
From the first note of the opening music and the title sequence drawings of countryside, murder and characters with moody stares, I was transported back thirty years ago to when this BBC adaptation of Miss Marple was first broadcast. I was a kid then but still engaged. It was a quality production then and still is, with a faithful period feel and an array of top class actors. The 1080p improved picture quality of these new HD remasters brings the drama, comedy and intrigue into even sharper focus, quite literally, for an enhanced viewing experience of this classic and much loved series. The amount of work that went into the restoration to create these AVC encoded 1080p transfers is INSANE. Through the visual upgrade we see a new level of clarity to the period elements, with richer colors for the clothes and interior styling, as well as the countryside, showcasing more than ever before the excellent production detail. The lossless DTS-HD Master Audio Mono mix does perfectly well with the various episodes' rather talky ambiences sound and is adequate for the production.
Supplements:
Commentary:
- None
Special Features:
As with the previous release, there is one interesting extra in this set. It’s called A Very British Murder: Part Two Detection Most Ingenious. It’s a 3 part series that originally aired on BBC Four in 2013 and is presented by Dr. Lucy Worsley. It documents the British national obsession with murder mysteries. The first part was included in the first release, the second part is included here, and the third, presumably, will be added to the final release in this beloved series. Check it out when you BUY THIS SET.
A Very British Murder: Part Two Detection Most Ingenious (50 min)
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