Inspector Morse - Masonic Mysteries

Rating:
Summary: When Life Imitates Art...
Review: First thing to do is to ignore the "Part 1" above in the item title; you're getting the full-length (100 mins, approx.) episode of "Masonic Mysteries." In terms of the world of Inspector Morse, this is probably the Inspector Morse episode even people who wouldn't otherwise care for the series can enjoy (immensely, in most cases), as it's considerably different to any of the other 32 films in the series. Morse is "the hunted, instead of the hunter" for once, as he is being constantly framed (literally & figuratively) by someone whom he put away years ago and is trying to get his own back. The trials Morse is put through parallel the trials by fire & water in the Mozart opera, "The Magic Flute," which he is in rehearsals for at the beginning with his lady friend (played by Kevin Whately's real-life wife), who is subsequently found dead, before a dumbfounded Morse, knife-in-hand and covered in her blood. It's not based on a Colin Dexter novel and was written by Julian Mitchell, who has written/adapted more Morse screenplays than any other. Morse's close relationship with Lewis is manifested in this episode more than possibly any other. A great deal of humor is to be found in "Masonic Mysteries" (at the Masons' expense), especially from the brief exchanges between Chief Inspector Bottomley, who, working with Lewis, is put in charge of the case. Morse is uncharacteristically upbeat throughout most of the duration of the film, particularly especially given the circumstances he is put in. John Thaw regards this as among his three favorite Morse films (and cites its differing from the others as a factor in that), along with "The Dead of Jericho" ("for sentimental reasons") and "Promised Land". This is the first of two Morse films to be directed by Danny Boyle, the director of such cult hits as "Trainspotting" and "Shallow Grave". The incomparable Ian McDiarmid (who played "The Emperor" in the Star Wars films) stars as the evil-genius nemesis. The Inspector Morse series is widely regarded as the peak in televisual entertainment, and this is a prime example.

Rating:
Summary: When Life Imitates Art...
Review: First thing to do is to ignore the "Part 1" above in the item title; you're getting the full-length (100 mins, approx.) episode of "Masonic Mysteries." In terms of the world of Inspector Morse, this is probably the Inspector Morse episode even people who wouldn't otherwise care for the series can enjoy (immensely, in most cases), as it's considerably different to any of the other 32 films in the series. Morse is "the hunted, instead of the hunter" for once, as he is being constantly framed (literally & figuratively) by someone whom he put away years ago and is trying to get his own back. The trials Morse is put through parallel the trials by fire & water in the Mozart opera, "The Magic Flute," which he is in rehearsals for at the beginning with his lady friend (played by Kevin Whately's real-life wife), who is subsequently found dead, before a dumbfounded Morse, knife-in-hand and covered in her blood. It's not based on a Colin Dexter novel and was written by Julian Mitchell, who has written/adapted more Morse screenplays than any other. Morse's close relationship with Lewis is manifested in this episode more than possibly any other. A great deal of humor is to be found in "Masonic Mysteries" (at the Masons' expense), especially from the brief exchanges between Chief Inspector Bottomley, who, working with Lewis, is put in charge of the case. Morse is uncharacteristically upbeat throughout most of the duration of the film, particularly especially given the circumstances he is put in. John Thaw regards this as among his three favorite Morse films (and cites its differing from the others as a factor in that), along with "The Dead of Jericho" ("for sentimental reasons") and "Promised Land". This is the first of two Morse films to be directed by Danny Boyle, the director of such cult hits as "Trainspotting" and "Shallow Grave". The incomparable Ian McDiarmid (who played "The Emperor" in the Star Wars films) stars as the evil-genius nemesis. The Inspector Morse series is widely regarded as the peak in televisual entertainment, and this is a prime example.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best and most unusual of the Morse series.
Review: Masonic Mysteries is one of the best Inspector Morse DVDs and this is high praise indeed. Also, it is unique in that Morse is the prime murder suspect. The tables are turned as Morse finds himself the target of an ingenious adversary who has studied Morse's habits and who has access to Morse's home and the police data base in Oxford.

The story begins at a rehearsal for Mozart's opera, The Magic Flute. Morse discovers that a lady friend has been stabbed to death in a cloak room at the opera house. As the police arrive they see Morse holding the dead woman with what appears to be the murder weapon in his hand. Morse is immediately relieved of his duties by the Chief Constable. Morse is replaced by Chief Inspector Bottomley, a man who dislikes Morse and his methods and would like nothing better than to see Morse charged with murder.

Fortunately for Morse, his faithful assistant Sgt. Lewis believes in Morse's innocence and begins to collect the evidence that will eventually clear his boss. From beginning to end Lewis shines in this installment of the Inspector Morse series. He is almost as capable as Morse himself and Morse recognizes the value of his aid. Also, for the first time in this series, Morse himself is less curmudgeonly than ususal. Julian Mitchell, the writer of this installment in a lengthy series of mysteries, portrays Morse as vulnerable and confused, which is perfectly appropriate given the fact that Morse is imprisoned for a short time and seemingly helpless.

The reason for Morse's predicament is his adversary, Hugo de Vries. In all the Morse mysteries, de Vries is, perhaps, the most sinister and resourceful criminal Morse has faced. He reminds us of Sherlock Holmes' arch enemy, Professor Moriarty. De Vries is a killer, a con man, a computer hacker, and a thief, even though he looks like an Oxford don. All of Morse's skill and ingenuity are needed to defend himself from de Vries. The ending of the story is one more twist in a plot that is full of twists and turns.

Everything about Masonic Mysteries is first-rate. The cast includes John Thaw as Inspector Morse. Thaw is a fine actor and he is at his best as Inspector Morse. Kevin Whately is equally good as Morse's patient and long suffering Sergeant Lewis. Of special note is Ian McDiarmid as the evil Hugo de Vries. McDiarmid exudes cunning and deviltry. He is more than a match for Morse. The rest of the cast supports the leads perfectly.

The music in Masonic Mysteries is not just window dressing. Mozart's opera The Magic Flute can be heard throughout the program and Morse uses the libretto for The Magic Flute to try and help him understand the various clues in the case. In one chilling scene de Vries has placed an incendiary device in a special music tape that lulls Morse to sleep on his couch and almost kills him with a fire that destroys a portion of his home.

From first to last Masonic Mysteries is filled with murder and mayhem, twists and turns, hope and despair, and in the end a climax fitting to all the elements which have come before it. Those Morse fans who have not seen this installment are almost sure to love it. Those viewers new to the Inspector Morse series are in for a treat.



Rating:
Summary: Morse in misery
Review: This is certainly a highly unusual entry in the series, given the fact that Morse is the chief suspect in a murder investigation. Morse is subjected to all sorts of trials and tribulations--- some of which are designed to create a trail of evidence framing Morse for more than one crime. One of the more amusing aspects of the mystery involves Morse's helplessness when confronted with computer technology and its bearing on the case. However, Sgt. Lewis, who never doubts Morse's innocence, comes to the rescue by utilizing his computer skills to help rescue Morse from his predicament. The role of Inspector Bottomley, who is assigned to investigate Morse, offers some amusement value as well. Bottomley, who belongs to a Masonic lodge, ends up looking rather foolish; moreover, he also seems to have been genuinely chagrined when Morse's innocence is finally established. In any event, this mystery represents an interesting and entertaining role reversal for Morse.

Rating:
Summary: Morse in misery
Review: This is certainly a highly unusual entry in the series, given the fact that Morse is the chief suspect in a murder investigation. Morse is subjected to all sorts of trials and tribulations--- some of which are designed to create a trail of evidence framing Morse for more than one crime. One of the more amusing aspects of the mystery involves Morse's helplessness when confronted with computer technology and its bearing on the case. However, Sgt. Lewis, who never doubts Morse's innocence, comes to the rescue by utilizing his computer skills to help rescue Morse from his predicament. The role of Inspector Bottomley, who is assigned to investigate Morse, offers some amusement value as well. Bottomley, who belongs to a Masonic lodge, ends up looking rather foolish; moreover, he also seems to have been genuinely chagrined when Morse's innocence is finally established. In any event, this mystery represents an interesting and entertaining role reversal for Morse.