Rating: 
Summary: Highly Detailed, Tightly Contexualized
Review: A beautifully turned bit of television. The research that contributed to the production of this series of four episodes centers on touching human details. The vets of World War I are the mature characters in this set of period pieces, and their recollections of what they did and saw in that prior war provides an overlay of feeling that subtly yet tellingly colors their dread of the conflict that was coming in the later months of 1940. Michael Kitchen's portrayal of the recently widowed Chief Detective Inspector Foyle has an added layer of subdued sadness and world-weariness that is punctured first by the taut energy and keenness of his driver, Samantha (adorably portrayed by Honeysuckle Weeks), then by the sad grief and disorientation of a young policeman returning from the war in Norway who has lost a leg in combat, and finally by the exhuberant naivite of his son. His wry humor and frank approach to those he interrogates and whose guilt he confronts is so low-key it takes one's breath away and provides a vehicle for his gradual emergence from a grief that is barely mentioned, yet permeates Kitchen's beautifully modulated characterization.The entire cast received careful direction to portray the coiled fear and concern of ordinary humans caught in a situation where an invasion can happen any time. Echoes of the current unlawful detention of "combatants" crop up as a subplot in the first episode, where a pair of worthy German immigrants are abused by busy xenophobes driven by misguided patriotism and fear. Indeed, the plot of every one of these four episodes has deep relevance in our own time of conflict and political uncertainty. Interestingly complex and puzzling. I checked these episodes out from the public library, and still ended up buying them for their layered complexity and engaging characterizations. Highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: Uneven, but Irresistible
Review: As mysteries, the four films in what I can only assume to be Series One of "Foyle's War" are middling. Very often (as in the first film) the solution is so obvious as to be laughable. And the presence of "notable" guest stars is always a dead giveaway (pun intended) that they're somehow involved in whatever the particular crime of the moment is. Luckily by the fourth film the actual whodunit aspect of the story has become more intricate, more suprising in its denoument. (After all, how great a detective can we think Foyle to be if the cases he's working on are so mundane?) But the series is a genuine pleasure to watch from beginning to end. The sense of time and place is beautifully realized, and the actors (particularly Kitchen) are never less than satisfying. The plots tend to be far too dense, with so much stuffed into 90 minutes that no one aspect of the story gets the attention it should; but that's of little significance to the overall satisfaction this series has to offer.
Rating:
Summary: Uneven, but Irresistable
Review: As mysteries, the four films in what I can only assume to be Series One of "Foyle's War" are middling. Very often (as in the first film) the solution is so obvious as to be laughable. And the presence of "notable" guest stars is always a dead giveaway (pun intended) that they're somehow involved in whatever the particular crime of the moment is. Luckily by the fourth film the actual whodunit aspect of the story has become more intricate, more suprising in its denoument. (After all, how great a detective can we think Foyle to be if the cases he's working on are so mundane?) But the series is a genuine pleasure to watch from beginning to end. The sense of time and place is beautifully realized, and the actors (particularly Kitchen) are never less than brilliant. The plots tend to be far too dense, with so much stuffed into 90 minutes that no one aspect of the story gets the attention it should; but that's of little significance to the overall satisfaction this series has to offer.
Rating:
Summary: Best ever!!!
Review: Don't hesitate to get this video. It was, by far, the best I have seen and was so well done. The character development is superior...the stories most interesting and enjoyable. Can't wait for the Second Set to be published.
Rating:
Summary: a great new mystery series
Review: Fans of Inspector Morse who are still mourning the death of John Thaw will find this series a satisfying replacement, which was the intent of the British television moguls who first televised it. Like Morse, Kitchen's Foyle is a man of many layers, silent when others would be losing it. Both of his 'sidekicks' are engaging, with problems of their own (though neither replaces 'Robby', who was Morse's Greek chorus). What makes this series unique is how it brings World War II to life. The second episode, 'The White Feather', is striking in its topicality - the pacifists vs. those who see war as inevitable. In the light of what we know now about Hitler, the outcome of our own 'war' may be seen by future generations just as differently. Foyle joins the ranks of other great British detectives and I hope he will be around a long time. For the main reviewer, Foyle is not a London detective. He lives on the coast (mainly because it would have been too expensive to try to get a 40's look in London). For those who think Foyle is 'righteous', I think we could substitute 'principled'. I was around for that generation and many of them lived by what they thought was right, not by what lie they could 'spin'. Give this series a chance and I think you'll be hooked.
Rating: 
Summary: Memories can't die away
Review: Great selection of stories placed on the English coast at the time of the Second World War. Well acted and engaging. We enjoyed watching each of them several times. Very well done without an excessive violence and/or cruelty.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding Series
Review: I did not have high expectations for this series until I happened to catch one episode on TV one night. After that I was hooked. This is a well-acted, engrossing series about a British policeman (inspector)who has to deal with all the usual and unusual crimes and misdemeanors that take up his time in peacetime but do it during the World War II days when Britain was under constant attack by the Germans. The writing is excellent and the stories are multifaceted, with all the main characters taking on real substance and growing with the series. In addition, the acting is first-rate, especially Michael Kitchen, who was made for this role.
Rating:
Summary: Intriguing and timely period mystery
Review: I happened to catch the end of "The White Feather" on Masterpiece Theater recently, and eagerly came back for the following two episodes. This extremely impressive series is set in 1940 England, and the atmosphere is immaculate to the last detail. Michael Kitchen is simply suberb as Detective Chief Superintendant Christopher Foyle, who longs to do his part for the war but is "too valuable" to the police force - and so he is stuck at home, fighting his own personal war against crime. And yet WWII plays a major role in each episode, and is a fantastic backdrop for this mystery/drama. The plots are complex, some better than others, and the characters extremely well developed. While Foyle is curiously quiet, he is a deeply engrossing character whose silent strength inspires great loyalty in those around him. Though he often says little, the power of Michael Kitchen's sublime performance is in the expressiveness of his eyes - which speak much louder than words. Ironically, the episode that drew me in (The White Feather) has ended up being my least favorite. Although the mystery is well plotted and the characters very intriguing, the subject matter (fascism) is very ugly. It was, however, a painful reality of life at the time. The best mystery among the lot is episode three, A Lesson in Murder, and perhaps my favorite episode is the fourth, Eagle Day. I love the relationship between Foyle and his son Andrew, which is portrayed with perfect restraint. They love each other deeply, but maintain that distant, British politeness that we Americans often mistake for coldness. This is superbly done, and Andrew (Julian Ovenden) is very charming. Eagle Day sees this relationship at its ironic best. Honeysuckle Weeks is spot-on perfect as Sam Stewart, and is the character the viewer (at least the female viewer) most easily identifies with - and therefore is crucially important. Well done, to all! I was very pleased with the widescreen presentation on the DVD, as well as the two-part interview with writer/creator Anthony Horowitz, which is well worth watching. The only real disappointment is that the production notes are identical for all four DVDs, but this is a small complaint in light of the overall suberb quality of this series. Eagerly looking forward to Season Two...
Rating:
Summary: Engaging series w/ great actors and storylines-timely stuff!
Review: I took a leap of faith while buying this series because all I really knew about it was that it had Michael Kitchen and Anthony Howell in them, both of whom I think are excellent actors. But I liked the premise and thought the reviews on amazon were promising. I've been pleasantly suprised with exactly how much I actually like all four episodes in fact, since mysteries tend to not be my favorite genre. All four stories are engaging on a number of levels, the acting is first rate, and I like how each episode touches on some of the darker implications that being at war can have on the social or national or community psyche of a people. The series is very timely in that respect in our present day circumstances. Michael Kitchen shows his mucho acting chops as the very contained -yet-hiding -underneath -is-some-major passion/anger- Christopher Foyle. Anthony Howell's wounded-in-more-ways-than-one ex-solidier Paul Milner is at turns brillliant and vulnerable(oy, watch out for that wife of his!), and Honeysuckle Weeks is very endearing as the plucky and young hearted Sam. Great characters, good storytelling, and some "things" to think about regarding war and identity on a national and community level.....
Rating:
Summary: Riveting--Ignore the Nitpickers
Review: I've watched PBS's "Mystery" and "Masterpiece Theater" offerings for over 20 years, and "Foyle's War" is among the very best. Engrossing dramas, faultlessly cast and tightly scripted, anchored by Michael Kitchen's intensely controlled, nuanced performances, these films engrossingly illuminate a little-known aspect of life on the south coast of England during World War II. Series 2 is just as good!
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