Lord Peter Wimsey: Clouds of Witness (1973)

Ah, there's nothing quite like settling in and getting cozy with a complicated British country-estate murder. In the BBC adaptation of Dorothy Sayers's detective novel, which also aired on PBS, the brilliant Lord Peter Wimsey brings his investigative talents to use close to home. His future brother-in-law is slain during a country retreat, and while there seems to be no shortage of possible suspects, the investigation quickly centers on Wimsey's brother Gerald, the Duke of Windsor. The five-tape adaptation takes its delicious time in delving deeper into the psyche of the unhappy circle around the deceased, as Wimsey tries to avert a full trial of a peer of the realm. Ian Carmichael shines as Wimsey, one of English detective fiction's most memorable heroes--more nimble than Miss Marple, more willful than Poirot, more upbeat than Adam Dalgliesh. All mystery fans need for a lovely and satisfying afternoon is this series and a couple of strong pots of tea. --Anne Hurley Amazon.com

Well done Lord Peter Wimsey

Dorothy L. Sayers writes many non-fiction books however among her best is the Lord Peter Wimsey series. I came to this series sort of though the back door. My first taste was the BBC productions with Petherbridge as Lord Peter that can now be found on DVD ASIN: B000062XDX. So I read all of Dorothy's books containing the relationship of Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane. Now it is time to go through the whole series.
Now I watch the one I missed in PBS. The first thing I notices was that Ian Carmichael talks much faster than Petherbridge. And all the people seem older. Of course Peter was supposed to be older when he met Harriet.

Lord Peter returns from Corsica. To find his older brother the Duke of Denver (David Langton) practically accused of murder. What is worse is his brother is not talking. So it is up to Peter to find out what happened and clear his brother.
In the process he puts his foot in it and practically gets all his relatives and friends accused. As with all Sayers' stories nothing is simple there are overlapping plots and foolish deeds, as if Peter can not figure them out. On the side we learn a little about English society and ballistics.

They took the time to put just about everything relevant from the book in to this production. There were a few exceptions but not worth bothering about. The production is complete enough that you do not have to read the book.

I am glad they finally made a DVD version. However the one I watched was the tape series and I swear just as soon as you turn it on the part (episode) is over and it is time for the next tape as the story moves very fast.
This item is worth purchasing as you will want to replay it often.

June 20, 2007

A Very Enjoyable Lord Peter Story!

This was the first "Lord Peter Wimsey" story that I encountered and I enjoyed it a lot. Ian Carmichael is appealing as Wimsey and the supporting cast is also good. One thing I found funny is how often the characters are pouring themselves a drink -- morning, noon, night -- it doesn't matter. I look forward to watching more or the programs in the series. July 22, 2005

Marvelous!

I am so glad to see this on DVD, and those who have it on VHS will be surprised--it looks fantastic! You'd never know this was done in 1972.

The picture is crisp and clear, even when switching from video to film (a common practice in those days--film outdoors, and videotape indoors). The sound level is a bit low, but it is not a problem--turning up the volume does not distort the sound in any way.

Lord Peter Wimsey (Ian Carmichael) must find the evidence to clear his older brother, Gerald, the Duke of Denver (David Langton) from the charge of murder. The victim is the fiancé of Gerald and Peter's sister, Lady Mary Wimsey (Rachel Herbert).

There is much conflicting testimony amongst the witnesses, and Lord Peter, ably assisted by his faithful manservant Bunter (Glyn Houston) and Inspector Parker (Mark Eden), does his best to save his brother.

The script is well written, and well paced. We get to see a trial in the House of Lords, something most viewers have perhaps heard of, but never have witnessed. We see the Wimsey family (Lord Peter, the Dowager Duchess, Lady Mary, and the Duke of Denver), and their friends (the Arbuthnots and others), in an excellent adaptation of what life was life in the upper-crust families after World War I.

The cast is first rate, as is the story and the quality of the DVD. There are extras (an interview with Ian Carmichael from September of 2000, information on Dorothy L.Sayers, a trivia quiz, and filmographies of the principal players) that make a nice addition to this slipcovered two-DVD set. Acorn Media has done a splendid job--highly recommended! January 25, 2002

Clouds of Witness is an apt title for this mystery.

Lord Peter Wimsey's brother Gerald, the Duke of Denver, has got himself into "a spot of bother." He is accused of killing Lady Mary Wimsey's fiance, a card cheat named Cathcart. All the evidence points to the Duke, but Lord Peter knows his brother is innocent and begins the slow process of gathering evidence to find the truth. In this complicated case Lord Peter must fly to America to interview a beautiful woman once involved with Cathcart. Lord Peter returns just in the nick of time to give evidence at the trial of his brother in the House of Lords. Several other adventures and narrow escapes from death or serious injury make this installment in the Lord Peter series more action oriented than the companion pieces now available in their entirety to the public.

Clouds of Witness and all the Lord Peter Wimsey mysteries are wonderfully entertaining. The production values are consistently high and the acting is excellent, particularly Ian Carmichael as Lord Peter. For an adult, literate audience, this is entertainment at its best. August 16, 2001

Whimsical Fun At Last on Video!

I am an avid fan of the Lord Peter Wimsey novels and was greatly excited when they finally started releasing some of these on video. Ian Carmichael does a fine job portraying the aristocratic sleuth and I especially enjoyed the performance of the actor who played Chief Inspector Charles Parker. While you can tell that this was made in the 70's, the film is solid, well-acted, and as a whole sticks to the orginal novel written by Ms. Dorothy L. Sayers (except for the ending of which I think the book ending is more entertaining). While I do prefer the Lord Peter series with Edward Petherbridge and Harriet Walter, these series of films with Mr. Carmichael are a wonderful addition for any Peter Wimsey fan. December 28, 2000

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