Rating: 
Summary: Promising Young Star
Review: I also found "Heat of the Sun" exciting, literate, and found myself only wanting more. I do hope there will be more episodes. And I hope they will also return Daniel Betts who played the Viscount in the first episode. After also seeing him on the American mini-series "The Magical Legend of the Leprechauns," I'm convinced he is a talent worth watching, and predict big things for him.
Rating:
Summary: Well told stories, showing the abuses of colonialism.
Review: I enjoyed this series very much. I watched this series on PBS Mystery, and have seen each episode twice, as the series was being shown on two competing channels, on different nights, during the same time period. The story line and characters are complex. Some of the characters are very likable, while others are detestable. The sort you love to hate. All of the characters are well defined, and all of the parts are well acted. Nothing is as it originally seems, with many twists and surprises in the plot. The action is set in the Kenya of 1931, and the attention to historical detail is excellent, with one exception. The cars. I am a vintage car buff, with a special interest in cars from the 1930s and 1940s. The cars utilized, while predominantly 1930-1931 models, also included models from 1932-1935. Some viewers would not notice this inconsistancy. However, I found it a bit off-putting that the audience was not expected to notice/know the difference. Also, considering the primitive conditions in Kenya of 1931, it strains credibility to have so many current models in the colony. Reality would seem to dictate that most of the vehicles would be pre 1931. This same anachronism is to be found in Treasure of Sierra Madre, where the action is set in the 1920s, but one can see some cars from the 1930s in the background. The matter of the cars notwithstanding, the series is most enjoyable.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely terrific! Crime & passion in 1930's Kenya
Review: I first saw this on PBS's Mystery series a couple of years ago and loved it. I was able to tape two of the episodes on a repeat, but I'm holding out hope (most likely in vain) for a DVD release. And Diana Rigg's introductions on the Mystery version add lots of background and period information about some of the real people some of the characters resemble. I assume that this comentary is not included on the VHS release (?).Police Superintendent Albert Tyburn has left England and Scotland Yard for the East African colony of Kenya. He left under a cloud and rumours about why have followed him all the way to Nairobi. He's to head up the newly created Criminal Investigations unit that pompous snob and windbag Police Commissioner Burkitt feels is entirely unnecessary. For Tyburn, "crime is crime" and people are people and his determination to treat the natives with respect along with his refusal to show his "betters" proper deference is a continual irritant to his often lofty suspects. He's also constantly irritating his superior, Burkitt who loathes Tyburn and tells him "you're not one of us and you never will be" - for which Tyburn is eternally grateful! Trevor Eve is fantastic as Tyburn - smart, sexy, wry and sardonic he has no qualms about being unpopular as long as the criminals pay. Then there's aviatrix Emma Fitzgerald (played by the terrific Susannah Harker) an independent woman on the fringe of "polite society" who pilots her own plane for safaris and supply runs. She and Tyburn meet when her sister is murdered in episode one. Their mutual respect and friendship evolves into one of the most understated (but sweet) romances I've ever seen! Great, tight stories, an authentic period atmosphere and wonderful supporting characters in Dr Mueller, Inspector Valentine, Corporal Karendi, Governor Rex Willoughby, decadent party-boy Chico DeVille and the sleazy and villainous Max Van der Vuerst all add up to intelligent and enjoyable viewing. Highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely terrific! Crime & passion in 1930's Kenya
Review: I first saw this on PBS's Mystery series a couple of years ago and loved it. I was able to tape two of the episodes on a repeat, but I'm holding out hope (most likely in vain) for a DVD release. And Diana Rigg's introductions on the Mystery version add lots of background and period information about some of the real people some of the characters resemble. I assume that this comentary is not included on the VHS release (?). Police Superintendent Albert Tyburn has left England and Scotland Yard for the East African colony of Kenya. He left under a cloud and rumours about why have followed him all the way to Nairobi. He's to head up the newly created Criminal Investigations unit that pompous snob and windbag Police Commissioner Burkitt feels is entirely unnecessary. For Tyburn, "crime is crime" and people are people and his determination to treat the natives with respect along with his refusal to show his "betters" proper deference is a continual irritant to his often lofty suspects. He's also constantly irritating his superior, Burkitt who loathes Tyburn and tells him "you're not one of us and you never will be" - for which Tyburn is eternally grateful! Trevor Eve is fantastic as Tyburn - smart, sexy, wry and sardonic he has no qualms about being unpopular as long as the criminals pay. Then there's aviatrix Emma Fitzgerald (played by the terrific Susannah Harker) an independent woman on the fringe of "polite society" who pilots her own plane for safaris and supply runs. She and Tyburn meet when her sister is murdered in episode one. Their mutual respect and friendship evolves into one of the most understated (but sweet) romances I've ever seen! Great, tight stories, an authentic period atmosphere and wonderful supporting characters in Dr Mueller, Inspector Valentine, Corporal Karendi, Governor Rex Willoughby, decadent party-boy Chico DeVille and the sleazy and villainous Max Van der Vuerst all add up to intelligent and enjoyable viewing. Highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: I agree! Excellent movie!
Review: I have read through the previous reviews and I agree - I want more! The cast fits together so well, from Kerendi(sp?) to Valentine to Tyburn and the stories are all so well written and acted that I hated to see them end. I especially loved the friendly romance taking place between Tyburn and Harker which culminates in simply a kiss at the end of the movie - not some steamy love scene. Some people may think PBS is boring but I found this movie very exciting and have seen it both times my local PBS station aired it. It is well worth the money if you love a good mystery that makes you think and like a good group of characters that fit together well.
Rating:
Summary: You guys stink Adrian Paul is not in this video
Review: I'm looking for videos of Adrian Paul and you put this one up. I wouldn't buy anything from you if you paid me
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely wonderful
Review: I've watched this series over and over and each time I'm impressed. Beautifully written--a model of screenwriting. The entire production is outstanding. Tyburn is probably the finest portrait I've seen of an outsider in film. Not just for mystery fans, either. I can't imagine anyone who wouldn't enjoy this.
Rating:
Summary: Thoroughly Enjoyable!
Review: I've watched this three-tape series at least three times since purchasing it a few months ago and I just can't get enough of it! From the music score, scenery and characters to the selection of actors, props and locations, this is a thoroughly enjoyable British mystery series. Trevor Eve as Superintendent Tyburn and Michael Byrne as Commissioner Burkitt, to say nothing of Susannah Harker as Emma Fitzgerald, are outstanding as traditional mystery characters. It's a shame that Carlton TV did not produce a follow on reprisal to this fascinating look at Nairobi in 1931. I highly recommend "Heat of the Sun" to anyone who seeks to curl up on a cool winter evening for a good detective yarn.
Rating:
Summary: Romance is alive and well
Review: Indiana Jones meets Out of Africa with riveting results in PBS' Mystery "Heat of the Sun." Seductive and deeply felt performances by leads--Trevor Eve and Susannah Harker--(What a power couple they'd be!), an authentic period feel (Kenya, early 1930s)and a fine supporting cast rekindle the type of story those unabashed romantics in us who look for courage, intelligence, and worthy heroes in literature and film long for. I hope a DVD is planned since I'll soon wear my VHS out. Brew up a pot of Earl Grey, toss a log on the fire, and enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: Romance is alive and well
Review: Indiana Jones meets Out of Africa with riveting results in PBS' Mystery "Heat of the Sun." Seductive and deeply felt performances by leads--Trevor Eve and Susannah Harker--(What a power couple they'd be!), an authentic period feel (Kenya, early 1930s)and a fine supporting cast rekindle the type of story those unabashed romantics in us who look for courage, intelligence, and worthy heroes in literature and film long for. I hope a DVD is planned since I'll soon wear my VHS out. Brew up a pot of Earl Grey, toss a log on the fire, and enjoy.
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