Inspector Morse (1987)

Watchseries; Back in the year of 1987 Oxford started to get a bad reputation, a reputation they never asked for. And what was the reason that the highly acclaimed and known city of Oxford got this reputation? Because of a grumpy old detective by the name of Inspector Morse. This highly cultural, intelligent detective that fancied a good beer and classical music over anything else in life. Brilliantly casted by John Thaw, one of Britains best actors of all time, shows just what British Television is all about. Quality, through and through. The people behind the casting of this series has done a terrific job, the human interaction between the characters in this series is nothing short of brilliant. The relationship between Morse (John Thaw) and Lewis (Kevin Whately) is a relationship that one wonders how works. They seem to be from different planets, but yet they manage to interact in such a way that they always ends up sorting the beans. Morse, a man that always carries around large bills always leaves Lewis to pay the bar bill because the bartender has no change for twenties, and that always patronizes Lewis in such a way that you pity him. But in spite of this slightly awkward relationship, you do feel the compassion that is between the two. Even though they are highly different, they work so well together. Piecing together the pieces of the puzzle like the whole puzzle was nothing but a story book telling them exactly what happened. Morse being a loner, living on his own embracing what he loves the most, classic music he in many ways comes of as socially inapt seems and odd match to the family man Lewis. But as you watch this series, you come to understand that it could not have been in any other way. They are a perfect match, which makes the series move along so perfectly as it does. The way the series illustrates just how great detective work is done, and what personal sacrifices the ones doing such work has to endure just leaves you in awe. If you want good quality television, Inspectore Morse is a first choice by far. Many people get intimidated by the run time that a standard Inspector Morse episode has. But it's the best 100 minutes you can spend in front of the TV if you first are to spend time in front of it. Thank you John Thaw, for the work you and all the others put into Colin Dexter's works. You will always be remembered.

Back in the year of 1987 Oxford started to get a bad reputation, a reputation they never asked for. And what was the reason that the highly acclaimed and known city of Oxford got this reputation? Because of a grumpy old detective by the name of Inspector Morse. This highly cultural, intelligent detective that fancied a good beer and classical music over anything else in life. Brilliantly casted by John Thaw, one of Britains best actors of all time, shows just what British Television is all about. Quality, through and through. The people behind the casting of this series has done a terrific job, the human interaction between the characters in this series is nothing short of brilliant. The relationship between Morse (John Thaw) and Lewis (Kevin Whately) is a relationship that one wonders how works. They seem to be from different planets, but yet they manage to interact in such a way that they always ends up sorting the beans. Morse, a man that always carries around large bills always leaves Lewis to pay the bar bill because the bartender has no change for twenties, and that always patronizes Lewis in such a way that you pity him. But in spite of this slightly awkward relationship, you do feel the compassion that is between the two. Even though they are highly different, they work so well together. Piecing together the pieces of the puzzle like the whole puzzle was nothing but a story book telling them exactly what happened. Morse being a loner, living on his own embracing what he loves the most, classic music he in many ways comes of as socially inapt seems and odd match to the family man Lewis. But as you watch this series, you come to understand that it could not have been in any other way. They are a perfect match, which makes the series move along so perfectly as it does. The way the series illustrates just how great detective work is done, and what personal sacrifices the ones doing such work has to endure just leaves you in awe. If you want good quality television, Inspectore Morse is a first choice by far. Many people get intimidated by the run time that a standard Inspector Morse episode has. But it's the best 100 minutes you can spend in front of the TV if you first are to spend time in front of it. Thank you John Thaw, for the work you and all the others put into Colin Dexter's works. You will always be remembered.

Inspector Morse watchseries. Not since the great team of Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce (in the early film Sherlock Holmes series) have there been such a happy combination as John Thaw and Kevin Whately as Morse and Lewis, in "Inspector Morse". Based on the rather academic crime novels of Colin Dexter this is surely one of the best TV whodunit series. Thaw is much at home playing the cantankerous, cultured, clever, and egocentric Police Inspector who enjoys a drink, while Whately does well as his obedient sidekick. Clever plots and intelligent scripting make this a thought provoking and interesting series. Which has lead to other quirky British Police Inspectors such as Barnaby in The Midsomers Murders, and Frost in A Touch of Frost. One might argue that Oxford, and for that matter in the other series small English country villages seem alive with serial killers, rather not conducive to tourism, but allowing for poetic license these stories capture the interest more than most.

Based on average crime novels by Colin Dexter, this is truly one of the times that the television version actually surpasses the novels in quality and makes the stories come alive and touch the heart and the mind. What makes this series so compelling, like the Duchess of Duke Street, Rumpole and Foyle's War, is the main character and the actor who created this marvelous,complex and compelling character. John Thaw and the producers/writers who worked with him made this a timeless series in the only way possible: make the lead character charismatic and intriguing (and extraordinarily well acted). It is virtually impossible for a series to last beyond several episodes based only on plots (I know, many will argue with this, but I stand my ground). The series has to be character driven to maintain its brilliance, episode after episode--in this case 33 episodes. That is not to say that the plots are unimportant, but only that they are clearly secondary to Morse and his relationships with those around him--especially his sergeant and his superior. But most important are his relationship with life and his values and the way he chooses to live his life; these are especially enthralling for a t.v. series (or movie or play or novel for that matter). I highly recommend this show--even for those not normally inclined to watch mysteries. This transcends the genre spectacularly. By the way, I greatly enjoy the Midsomer Murder series, but they are merely entertaining. The Morse episodes not only entertain, but can considered to be art.

I have all 33 episodes and all the books, and I think this crime drama is without question the best show that ever came on our screens. Each episode has a reason for watching it. They did change the character of Morse completely, but I don't care. I prefer John Thaw's Morse, he is somewhat more likable. The late John Thaw was an outstanding actor, and Inspector Morse is his best role. He is just phenomenal, as is Kevin Whately as Lewis. Morse is a sensitive character here, when he is listening to his classical music with the camera looking into these mysterious blue eyes, it is just extraordinary. The music is just amazing with that clever haunting theme tune, and the recurring excerpts of Mozart and Wagner. Inspector Morse also benefits from consistently superb camera work and exceptionally written scripts. It has also boasted stars such as Clive Swift, Roger Lloyd Pack, Zoe Wannamaker and Paul Freeman. Favourite episode? Has to be Masonic Mysteries, the victim's scream actually made my heart go in my mouth. The final episode is heart-rending, and I couldn't bear to finish the book, because it was so sad. Great stuff! 10/10. Bethany Cox

John Thaw will never have a better part than that of the crusty copper , Morse. Fans of the crime genre will love this as it usually is a great whodunnit every time with no car chases or fights and as such is always refreshingly different from the usual cop show. Just add in that Morse is a total loser with the ladies, likes a drink, enjoys listening to recordings of tragic operas. Great way to solve murders, sitting in the pub downing a beer in the middle of the day. It beats chasing armed assailants up back alleys or staking out clubs hiding in garbage cans any day.The only criticism of the show is that Oxford is portrayed as the murder capital of Europe when in real life it is probably one of the least criminal places in the world with parking offences probably being its most common crime.

An all time classic; well acted, finely plotted and utterly addictive. In short outstanding. Not to put too fine a point on it, no series, in any genre, before or since, has managed to sustain such a high level of quality. It lays down the pillars adhered to by almost all t.v. detectives of today; a subservient side-kick, a lead character with a drinking problem but rather than establishing cliches, it creates archetypes. Without peers.