Midsomer Murders: The Complete Series Fifteen [DVD]

Midsomer is a remarkably deadly place, a deceptively delicious chocolate box filled poisoned confections. Generations of loyal inhabitants risk life and limb to live in Midsomer's bucolic hills and dales. Its coziness has a macabre stain; like a lace doily blotched with tea, darkness lurks at the edges. In Midsomer County's dangerous environs, denizens inflict and suffer numerous creative malaises. DCI John Barnaby, a cousin of our original curmudgeon, is wonderfully played by Neil Dudgeon. And he has a dog companion, the emotive Sykes; England, this blessed plot, rife with delightful dogs and detectives. DCI John Barnaby is as gifted at detection as his cousin Tom. The Barnaby line is rooted in Midsomer's earth, they are dependable in never being surprised by bizarre occurrences. Nothing flummoxes a true Barnaby. Jason Hughes is intrepid as Detective Inspector Ben Jones, his wry humor is the perfect foil. With the exception of the first episode, these stories return to the offbeat, humorous alternative universe that Midsomer fans crave.The U.K. boasts numerous fine (and often underrated) actors. You may want to catch Neil Dudgeon's unforgettable performance in a superb story (episode 3) in the BAFTA Award winning series  The Street , the first season. He plays Brian Peterson, a teacher accused of being a flasher. Ultimately, who is the betrayer? His wife claims she has never known him, perhaps it is the other way around. As Brian Peterson gazes out of a taxi window passing street after fogbound street, you understand that each street is full of stories, each person's life with its moments of mystery. Be aware that The Street is gritty, rough, and harrowing, quite unlike Midsomer!The Dark RiderThis first episode is fairly preposterous, even by Midsomer's generous standards that encompass a broad width of deviant behavior. Written by Michael Aitkens (who foisted "Death in the Slow Lane" on viewers; an abominable intro to DCI John Barnaby), this is a poor indication of how good the rest of the collection is. Barnaby and Jones investigate a series of untimely deaths are linked to sightings of a headless horseman. The mystery revolves around the gentrified DeQuettevilles, who stage an historic battle re-enactment every year. Just get through it to the subsequent epsidodes. At least we get to see more of Barnaby, his wife (Fiona Dolman), Jones, and last but not least, the emotive Sykes. It gets better after this!Murder of InnocenceWritten by Elizabeth-Anne Wheal, this moody Midsomer inveigles DCI John Barnaby (Neil Dudgeon) and DS Ben Jones (Jason Hughes) with the protection a hated offender, released from jail, to lodge in a dismal cottage. A local barrister dies in suspicious circumstances, whilst past and present collide. The culprit claims to be innocent of the crime he was locked up for in the first place. Barnaby and Jones must delve deeper into previous events to identify the real murderer.Written in the StarsWill we ever get a chance to meet Ben Jones' gran? She of the portents and folk-superstitions? Writer Steve Trafford delivers a plot that will keep you guessing! Up on this Moon-mad Midsomer Ridge, a crowd gathers to watch an eclipse, ignorant that a murderer lurks within their midst. An astronomer is bludgeoned by a meteor, and an astrologer claims to predict each subsequent murder. Rivalries and illicit relationships amongst stargazers are unearthed.Death and the DivasThis is a standout episode, classic Midsomer, wacky and weird; thanks to writers Rachel Cuperman & Sally Griffiths for satisfying loyal Midsomer fans. The Midsomer Langley Film Festival is underway, and it turn out our Barnaby is a fan of the main actress, and of these campy thrillers. Harriet Walter does a fine turn as an obnoxiously successful actor, returning to Midsomer to upstage her sister, the star of the festival and of the early films. During the festivities, a writer is murdered whilst a campy horror classic plays on the telly. The murder is ghoulishly like one that occurred in a cult 1960s horror film. This being Midsomer, further murders ensue, each one reenacting a cult-film classic. Enjoy!The Sicilian DefenseWho knew that the world of chess could be so fraught with danger? But this is Midsomer, after all, and writer Paul Logue keeps us guessing as to how a young girl wound up in a coma, and whatever happened to her boyfriend? When the girl awakes, murders ensue . . . Midsomer's classic formula features charming villages with a high body-count.Schooled in MurderThis is a classic, with a brutal murder of a dairy worker involving weaponized cheese, as can only (one would hope) occur in Midsomer, at the famous Midsomer Blue cheese factory. Writer Lisa Holdsworth delivers a great story. Thankfully, we are not inflicted by rubbish school kids, but witness a war between staff and school board, along with the cheese-mystery. Enjoy!

Great series

Very enjoyable item.

Accepting that the storylines are unrealistic these programmes are always enjoyable to watch - and re-watch.Having an underlying theme involving a consuming hobby or a special interest is part of the enjoyiment.

I very much enjoyed this series. Neil has grown on me I have to say which has surprised me as I love John Nettles. I would love to see John and Neil work together again in Midsomer Murders. I have to say though I am absolutely gutted that this is Jason Hughes' last series as DS Ben Jones. I think he's brilliant at playing the part and has worked very well with both Neil and John. He's my favourite Barnaby sidekick. I'm not a fan of the DS Charlie Nelson character, it's just not the same without Jones. This is the last series that I'll be purchasing of Midsomer Murders. Series 1 to 15 are more than enough for me.

unfortunately political correctness has reared it's ugly head Mid Sommers murders is a period detective story or series and there were no black police men in that period. it's a bit like North Yorkshire a country shire therefore it should keep to the period asAfter all one doesn't see Black Actors in Downton Abbey.so why introduce them into Mid Sommer.

It's good for me thanks u for it & good tv series for me thanks u for it

While the Midsomer Murders series is more than being about just one character, there is no doubt that Neil Dudgeon has demonstrated that he is perfectly suited to the role of Detective Chief Inspector John Barnaby. The other characters are also highly competent.Providing the script writers can maintain the high standard of previous series as they do in this set, this iconic series is in safe hands.Recommendation: Buy the set and sit back and enjoy some highly professional crafts men and women doing what they do best ie providing highly professional entertainment.Steve

El dvd es una pasada. Hago la colecion de Midsomer Murders y estoy muy contenta con esta compra. Gracias Amazon

Ich habe alle Staffeln, werde aber ab sofort keine DVDs dieser Serie mehr kaufen. Nachdem man dem Erfinder und langjährigen Produzenten der Serie gefeuert hat, weil er sich weigerte, Quotenmigranten in die Serie einzubauen. Die sich jetzt natürlich in jeder einzelnen Folge finden und der Serie jeglichen Charme nehmen. Der Multikulturalismus - Faschismus ist auch in Midsomer angekommen.

I miss Tom Barnaby dreadfully, but life goes on and thankfully so do the Midsomer mysteries. My two favorites of this series fifteen were "Dark Rider", a spooky headless-horseman type story, and "Schooled In Murder", wickedly combining a girls' school with Midsomer Blue cheese! Not Tom Barnaby, but still excellent. Sykes, the Barnabys' dog, is the icing on the cake. I'm glad the series is still being made. Cheers!

Avevo seguito questa serie in internet in inglese, così come la sedicesima, e mi pare che ci sia stata un'evoluzione nelle trame, sono più varie, è stato introdotto l'elemento leggendario o misterico, nonostante rimanga un ritratto classico della società inglese. Anche se le mie amiche nel Regno Unito preferivano la vecchia coppia dei Barnaby, a me la nuova bella signora non dispiace, soprattutto è fantastico il cane Sykse! Avvincente, deliziosa, per me è una delle serie migliori.

It was good as a continuation of the series! The format was acceptable and the discs were colorful! The characters colorful!