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Lord Peter Wimsey - Strong Poison [1987] | ![Lord Peter Wimsey - Strong Poison [1987]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41610MAH00L._SL75_.jpg)
 enlarge | Directors: Michael A. Simpson, Christopher Hodson
Actors: Harriet Walter, Edward Petherbridge, Richard Morant, Paul Hastings, Derek Royle
Studio: Acorn Media
Category: Video
List Price: £16.99
Buy Used: £14.90
You Save: £2.09 (12%)
Used (7) from £14.90
Avg. Customer Rating:  29 reviews
Sales Rank: 4392
Format: Pal
Rating: Parental Guidance
Media: VHS Tape
Number Of Items: 2
Running Time: 165
Discs: 2
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.9 x 4.7 x 2.4
EAN: 5036193002144
ASIN: B00005UCZM
Theatrical Release Date: March 25, 1987
Release Date: February 11, 2002
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: tapes, insert and cover all in very good condition
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.co.uk Review
Based on the series of novels written by Dorothy L Sayers in the 1920s and 30s, Lord Peter Wimsey was dramatised for TV by the BBC between 1972-5. Ian Carmichael, veteran of British film comedy, played the genial, aristocratic sleuth; Glyn Houston was his manservant Bunter. The pair are similar to PG Wodehouse's Jeeves and Bertie Wooster (whom Carmichael played in an earlier TV adaptation) though here the duo are equal in intelligence, breezing about the country together in Wimsey's Bentley and stumbling with morbid regularity upon baffling murder mysteries to test their wits. Those for whom this series forms hazy memories of childhood might be surprised at its somewhat stagy, lingering interior shots, the spartan paucity of music, the miserly attitude towards locations, especially foreign ones, and the rather genteel, leisurely pace of these programmes, besides which Inspector Morse seems like Quentin Tarantino in comparison. It seems that initially the BBC was reluctant to commission the series and ventured on production with a wary eye on the budget. The Britain depicted by Sayers is, by and large, populated by either the upper classes or heavily accented, rum-do-and-no-mistake lower orders, which some might find consoling. However, the acting is generally excellent and the murder mysteries are sophisticated parlour games, the televisual equivalent of a good, absorbing jigsaw puzzle. There were five feature-length adaptations in all. "Clouds of Witness" sees Wimsey investigate the death of his brother the Duke of Denver's fiancée. --David Stubbs
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| Customer Reviews: Read 24 more reviews...
 Off the mark - characters and story April 14, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Having thoroughly enjoyed the early Peter Wimsey TV adaptations featuring Ian Carmichael in the title role, I recently moved on to the later cast with Edward Petherbridge playing Peter Wimsey. I braced myself for a different experience, told myself to have an open mind and enjoy the series for what it was. Nonetheless I am disappointed. The story is rushed through in three episodes, leaving out much of the detail that makes the book so enjoyable - no St. George, no side lines about Harriet Vane's young admirer, no ms. Schuster-Slatt, and I could go on.
Harriet Walter as Harriet Vane is quite plausible, but Edward Petherbridge does not convey the Wimsey character at all. He is too underplayed, too anonymous and he is not shining (allowed to shine?) in the dinner scene. His sharp wits are not allowed to develop at all. All in all a wet rag. And Bunter is totally out of character. In the books he is respectful and supporting whereas this adaptation of Gaudy Night describes him as brazen and insolent. Definitely not my cup of tea.
 very good July 27, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I enjoyed all 3 installments in this adaption of the Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane love story. Some of the sub-plots have been dropped, but the stories are not spoiled. The 2 main actors are perfect for their roles, except that Edward Petherbridge was rather too old. Wimsey was supposed to be 40 in Strong Poison, and Sayers makes it clear in several of her stories that he looks considerably younger than he is. In Murder Must Advertise (not part of this mini - series), he is 42, but appears to be in his early to mid 30's. Petherbridge was 51 when Strong Poison was made, and looks every day of it. It's a pity they didn't make them 10 or 15 years sooner. Don't let this put you off though. Petherbridge is Lord Peter personified, and this adaption is a very enjoyable one.
Strong stuff February 21, 2007
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
A lot of women want to poison their ex-boyfriends. Only a few actually DO.
But the suspicion is enough to land a woman in the dock in "Strong Poison," the first of a trilogy of mysteries about eccentric detective Lord Peter Wimsey and his romantic interest, crime writer Harriet Vane. While this episode spends a little too little time on the interesting side characters, it's a compelling mystery that seems hopeless at first.
Lord Peter Wimsey (Edward Petherbridge) becomes interested in the trial of Harriet Vane (Harriet Walter), a mystery writer who lived with her boyfriend until he proposed marriage (it had all been a test). Six months later, after a visit, her ex dropped dead of arsenic. But Peter is sure that Harriet didn't do the crime -- and he's fallen in love -- and so becomes determined to break this watertight case against her.
And so he turns his attention to suicide, since there was plenty of motive for that. But the most promising lead turns out to be the dead man's cousin, a successful lawyer whose motives and opportunity remain unknown -- as the court tells us, the only food that the deceased ate was also eaten by the suspect. But the brilliant Wimsey knows he can find the answer, before Harriet's retrial.
"Strong Poison" probably had a special signficance for Dorothy Sayers. First, it introduced her alter-ego, Harriet. Secondly, some of the events that happened to Harriet -- living with a boyfriend, the "test" -- really happened in real life, although presumably Sayers didn't come under suspicion of having murdered her ex.
The murder itself is very intriguing, if very slow-moving and roundabout. The case against Harriet is practically foolproof, so it's intriguing to see Wimsey carefully pulling the chinks out of it, and exposing another motive for the dead man's death. But they include some funny (if too brief) moments, like Peter having tea with a hilarious lesbian couple, or the fake seance that Peter's secretary holds.
Not to mention some great dialogue ("I don't positively repel you or anything like that, do I?"), including Sayers' needling at double standards for women ("You are bearing in mind, aren't you, that I've had a lover?" "Oh, yes, so've I. Several, in fact. It's the sort of thing that could happen to anyone. I can produce quite good testimonials").
Petherbridge makes a perfect Peter -- tall, skinny and blonde, with a long nose and perpetually falling monocle, and the impression that he doesn't take himself too seriously. Walter is also quite good as the prickly, and the supporting actors (especially Richard Morant as Bunter) are all extremely good, right down to the locksmith-turned-preacher.
"Strong Poison" was a good start to the trilogy of Wimsey-Vane mysteries, and an excellent adaptation of Sayers' mystery. Definitely worth watching, for those who like slow, dryly amusing British mysteries.
Misleading Amazon Description November 5, 2006
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Viewers beware. On the Amazon web site the cast list is entirely wrong. This is not a Petherbridge Wimsey but a Carmichael Wimsey. It remains a wonderful DVD. It is faithful to the book and grips one just as tightly. However I find Carmichael plays Wimsey with less depth than Petheridge. Wimsey is a somewhat tortured soul and this is not a Carmichael expertise.
 Most Enjoyable August 2, 2006
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
I wasn't familiar with Lord Peter Wimsey before watching this DVD. "Have His Carcase" is number two in a series of three television dramas. This story is set in the West Country in the early 1930s, and is typical of those crime novels of the period.
Having enjoyed the likes of "Poirot" and "Jeeves & Wooster", I thought I'd give Lord Peter a try. I can now say I agree with all the positive reviews here. "Have his Carcase" is a well acted piece. Edward Petherbridge & Harriet Walter make a very interesting partnership, and the tension between them adds depth to the drama. The sets, costumes and locations are all well chosen. The story is engaging, and although 200 minutes long, the time passes quickly. It is, perhaps, a little theatrical in places but there is nothing wrong in that.
The picture quality is good. I enjoyed the bonus material, especially the interview with Mr Petherbridge, in which he imparts some interesting views on his role.
I'll now go back and buy the other two DVDs in this series!
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