The Mrs Bradley Mysteries is based on the series of novels by Gladys Mitchell; a contemporary of Agatha Christie. The show's title sleuth, Mrs Bradley, is elegantly and wittily played by the fantastic Diana Rigg, and ably assisted by chauffeur George, played by Neil Dudgeon. There is fantastic chemistry between the two, and the relationship between them brings up many laughs in the series!
The mysteries themselves are somewhat altered from the novels, but they are still excellent. The first, 'Speedy Death', (90 minutes) is a very Agatha Christie-like country house puzzle. The conclusion is startling and very clever, along with a very good subplot involving George and a housemaid. The rest of the series is four 60 minute episodes. The first, 'Death at the Opera', is very funny indeed, although it is a little far-fetched. This is followed by 'The Rising of the Moon', a better story but not quite as humorous. 'Laurels are Poison' is the strangest of the series, an episode involving ghosts and affairs. However, the series ends with the fantastic 'The Worsted Viper'. The plot may be a little odd, but you will never see the murderer coming, and it is the funniest of the series, with Mrs Bradley giving us some very good one-liners.
The costumes, sets and casting is superb. Mrs Bradley's hats steal the show! What I cannot understand is why the series was not continued; it is simply marvellous. Funny, clever, witty and well acted-it is well worth viewing.
The mysteries themselves are somewhat altered from the novels, but they are still excellent. The first, 'Speedy Death', (90 minutes) is a very Agatha Christie-like country house puzzle. The conclusion is startling and very clever, along with a very good subplot involving George and a housemaid. The rest of the series is four 60 minute episodes. The first, 'Death at the Opera', is very funny indeed, although it is a little far-fetched. This is followed by 'The Rising of the Moon', a better story but not quite as humorous. 'Laurels are Poison' is the strangest of the series, an episode involving ghosts and affairs. However, the series ends with the fantastic 'The Worsted Viper'. The plot may be a little odd, but you will never see the murderer coming, and it is the funniest of the series, with Mrs Bradley giving us some very good one-liners.
The costumes, sets and casting is superb. Mrs Bradley's hats steal the show! What I cannot understand is why the series was not continued; it is simply marvellous. Funny, clever, witty and well acted-it is well worth viewing.