Video: Julian Fellowes Investigates: A Most Mysterious Murder. Vol 1

The Author:
I was really not well acquainted with Julain Fellowes, and the videos themselves do not offer an introduction to the person. The videos are based on the writing of Julian Fellowes himself.

A cursory examination, led to the following Wikipedia page (so take it with the usual pinch of rock and/or table salt it deserves):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julian_Fellowes

The Video Review:

Volume 1 has two videos:

1. The Case of Charles Bravo, and,
2. The Case of Rose Harsent

Both scripts were based on true murders that apparently shook England at the time of occurance, 1876 and 1902 respectively. It is obvious that the nation took very little to be shaken.

The scripting is good, very British (that is the opposite of very Hollywood-ish), and gives you a good, classic sense of suspense and mystery, and is very true to it's time.

If you are expecting Mr. Poirot, Miss Marple or any other characters concocted by the likes of Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh P.D. James or the almost venerable Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to pop out, you would be disappointed.

Why?

These stories are based on real life mysteries, which tend to be rather mundane. That said, the video, the content, the screenplay and Julian Fellowes' arguments as to what might come close to the plausible true solution are all of very good quality.

The Cons:

That said, the mysteries, not being so twisted don't present you with a mystery like that of Edwin Drood or others in the class with multiple solutions.

I was also a little peeved that, according to the BBC, two episodes constitute a "volume". This is a singularly irritating issue I find with British productions.

Look at Rowan Atkinson's "A Thin Blue Line". An excellent line-up, great modern unclenched British Comedy and you get what - 13 episodes in all?

One would wish they would really change that.

Rating:

Overall, I would rate this video at 2.75/5, more than how I rate most things I view, or read. To add more, I am looking forward to laying my hands on any other volumes these guys might have!