A joy of writing about DVD releases is the chance to be
exposed to items most would never have the opportunity to see. That becomes an
even greater joy when you can share that with others who then might seek out
these same items to enjoy. A perfect example of that are the items Acorn has
been releasing, British series that most here in the US never have the chance
to see. Once you do you’ll want to see more.
GEORGE GENTLY-THE COMPLETE COLLECTION is the entire British
series based on the character in the title. It is a mammoth series to undertake
watching running 2040 minutes long and on 25 discs. That’s 34 hours for those
checking. Unlike series here in the US the series there feature what would
qualify as a TV film here with several in the series each season. For instance
what we have here are basically 25 different feature length mysteries to enjoy.
But on to what it’s about.
Taking place in the sixties and based on the books by Alan
Hunter, Gently (Martin Shaw) is an incorruptible police officer in London, one
of their top investigators. As the first episode opens his wife is run over by
a car, a message to Gently sent by someone we are yet unaware of. Considering
leaving the force Gently is sent on what should be his last case, a potential
murder in Northumberland far from London. There he is introduced to a Sergeant
John Bacchus (Lee Ingleby), a young officer looking to make a name for himself
and move up in the ranks of investigators.
As the episode progresses Gently sees something in the young
man and it’s not favorable. His ambition leads him to make mistakes and use
methods unbecoming of an officer. By the end of the episode Gently decides to
continue working but to relocate here in Northumberland. He makes it his
mission to retain Bacchus and to train him properly. As he reveals he had the
same relationship with a young officer long ago who ignored his training and
took to planting evidence. It resulted in his moving up the ladder but also in
making the force look bad. Now he wants a chance to correct that mistake with
Bacchus.
Each episode offers a new case and a new chance to Gently to
correct Bacchus in his methods. He may seem a bit gruff but at the heart what
he’s trying to accomplish is to make sure this young man becomes as good and
honest an investigator as he is. Bacchus won’t make that easy though as he
constantly looks for the easy way out and tugs at the suggestive leash Gently
puts on him. But watching you realize that he may be anxious to move on but
he’s learning with each new case.
It would be dishonest for me to say that I watched every
single episode of this collection to report on. With everything being released
there simply isn’t time. But I was able to watch several episodes, enough to
know that I will continue popping a new disc in every few days until I’ve
watched them all. And with each one I watch I find myself becoming fonder of
both characters, Gently and Bacchus, and wanting to find out what happens to the
both of them. To draw you in on a series like that speaks volumes.
Both Shaw and Ingleby give strong performances here. There
are times when certain actors make a character all their own and trying to
imagine another taking their place is difficult at best and impossible at
worst. There is a subtlety in Shaw’s depiction of the rough exteriored Gently
who inside you know is wishing for the best for his young protégé. And in
Ingleby we see that exuberance of youth who want everything now without putting
in the time but who eventually learn more than they expected. The pair make
this series work on numerous levels.
I’ve read that the series does end (included in this set)
and that the character of Bacchus went on to his own series afterward. Let’s
just hope that those shows become available as well. I know that once you being
watching this one you’ll find yourself wondering what happens next and just how
the pair will capture the next criminal to cross paths with them. I know that
as I’m watching each episode I’m enjoying them immensely and looking forward to
the next.
Click here to order.
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