"Inspector Morse" (1987) TV series 1987-2000

User Rating:

8.7/10   

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12

Release Date:

4 February 1988 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

Plot:

A grouchy but cultured police detective and his easy going partner investigate crimes around the British community of Oxford.

Plot Keywords:

Whodunit | Sergeant | Jaguar Car | Opera Singer | Police

Awards:

9 wins & 12 nominations

Cast

John Thaw	...	Chief Inspector Morse (33 episodes, 1987-2000)
Kevin Whately	...	Det. Sgt. Robert Lewis / ... (32 episodes, 1987-2000)
Colin Dexter	...	College porter showing Morse and Lewis to John Brewster / ... (30 episodes, 1987-2000)
James Grout	...	Chief Superintendent Strange / ... (22 episodes, 1987-2000)

(more)

Series Directed by
John Madden		(4 episodes, 1990-1995)
Peter Hammond		(3 episodes, 1987-1990)
Herbert Wise		(3 episodes, 1989-1996)
Adrian Shergold		(3 episodes, 1991-1992)
Alastair Reid		(2 episodes, 1987)
Danny Boyle		(2 episodes, 1990-1992)
Colin Gregg		(2 episodes, 1991-1992)

Series Writing credits
Colin Dexter		(33 episodes, 1987-2000)
Julian Mitchell		(10 episodes, 1987-1997)
Daniel Boyle		(5 episodes, 1991-1993)
Alma Cullen		(4 episodes, 1989-1992)
Anthony Minghella		(3 episodes, 1987-1990)

Series Produced by
Ted Childs	....	executive producer (33 episodes, 1987-2000)
Chris Burt	....	producer (12 episodes, 1989-2000)
Ray Frift	....	associate producer (12 episodes, 1989-2000)
David Lascelles	....	producer (9 episodes, 1990-1991)
John Thaw	....	executive producer: Amberlodge Ltd. (8 episodes, 1993-2000)
Kenny McBain	....	producer (7 episodes, 1987-1988)
Deirdre Keir	....	producer (5 episodes, 1992)
Laurie Greenwood	....	associate producer (3 episodes, 1987)
John Davis	....	associate producer (3 episodes, 1990)
Rebecca Eaton	....	executive producer: WGBH Boston (3 episodes, 1997-2000)

Series Original Music by
Barrington Pheloung		(33 episodes, 1987-2000)

Series Non-Original Music by
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart		(1 episode, 1997)

Series Cinematography by
Paul Wheeler		(9 episodes, 1990-1991)
Clive Tickner		(7 episodes, 1987-1988)
Peter Greenhalgh		(5 episodes, 1992)
Michael J. Davis		(4 episodes, 1989)
Chris O'Dell		(4 episodes, 1995-2000)
Colin Munn		(3 episodes, 1993)

Series Film Editing by
Robert C. Dearberg		(5 episodes, 1990-1991)
Peter Krook		(4 episodes, 1989-1992)
Andrew Nelson		(3 episodes, 1988-1991)
Kevin Lester		(3 episodes, 1992)
Brian Freemantle		(2 episodes, 1988)
Alan Jones		(2 episodes, 1990)

Series Casting by
Michelle Guish		(16 episodes, 1987-1992)
Marilyn Johnson		(9 episodes, 1989-2000)
Joyce Nettles		(2 episodes, 1989)
Debbie McWilliams		(2 episodes, 1990)

Series Production Design by
David McHenry		(12 episodes, 1987-1991)
Terry Ackland-Snow		(7 episodes, 1990-1993)
Maurice Cain		(5 episodes, 1992)
Rod Stratfold		(4 episodes, 1989)
Robin Tarsnane		(4 episodes, 1996-2000)

Series Art Direction by
Stephen Scott		(6 episodes, 1990-1993)
Paul Martin		(4 episodes, 1987-1988)
Mark Raggett		(4 episodes, 1989)
Kit Surrey		(4 episodes, 1991)
Sophie Becher		(3 episodes, 1988)
Tom Brown		(3 episodes, 1991-1992)
Niki Wateridge		(2 episodes, 1998-2000)

Series Set Decoration by
Peter Young		(5 episodes, 1990-1993)
Richard Hornsby		(3 episodes, 1987)

Series Costume Design by
Alison Munro		(16 episodes, 1989-2000)
Aideen Morgan		(9 episodes, 1990-1991)
Derek Hyde		(7 episodes, 1987-1988)

Series Makeup Department
Robin Grantham	....	chief makeup artist / makeup artist / ... (28 episodes, 1987-1996)
Patricia McDermott	....	chief hair stylist / chief hairdresser (11 episodes, 1987-1989)
Karen Ferguson	....	chief hair stylist (5 episodes, 1992)
Eric Allwright	....	makeup artist (4 episodes, 1989)
Suzanne Stokes-Munton	....	chief hair stylist (4 episodes, 1990)
Karen Edwards	....	chief hairdresser / chief hair stylist (4 episodes, 1991)
Veyatie MacLeod	....	chief hair stylist / hair designer (3 episodes, 1993-1995)
Maureen Hetherington	....	hair designer / makeup designer (3 episodes, 1997-2000)
Anita Casali	....	hair stylist / makeup artist (2 episodes, 1995-1997)
Deborah Jarvis	....	hair stylist / makeup artist (2 episodes, 1995-1997)
Christine Whitney	....	hair stylist / makeup artist (2 episodes, 1998-2000)

Series Production Management
Bill Shephard	....	production supervisor (10 episodes, 1991-1992)
Ken Holt	....	unit manager (6 episodes, 1990-1991)
Martin Lee	....	unit manager (6 episodes, 1992-1993)
Robert Fennell	....	production manager / production supervisor (4 episodes, 1987-1988)
Paul Sparrow	....	production manager / production supervisor (4 episodes, 1987-1988)
Kathy Sykes	....	production manager (4 episodes, 1990)
Russell Lodge	....	production manager (2 episodes, 1988)
Mike Nunn	....	executive in charge of production (2 episodes, 1993)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Trevor Puckle	....	second assistant director (10 episodes, 1989-1993)
Bill Kirk	....	first assistant director (9 episodes, 1987-1993)
Cliff Lanning	....	third assistant director (8 episodes, 1987-1989)
Ken Shane	....	first assistant director (5 episodes, 1991-1992)
Nick Heckstall-Smith	....	second assistant director (5 episodes, 1992)
Ken Baker	....	first assistant director (4 episodes, 1987-1988)
Callum McDougall	....	second assistant director (4 episodes, 1987-1988)
Cordelia Hardy	....	second assistant director (4 episodes, 1990)
John Withers	....	third assistant director (4 episodes, 1990)
Richard Styles	....	third assistant director (4 episodes, 1992)
Barry Langley	....	first assistant director (3 episodes, 1991-1996)
John Dodds	....	first assistant director (3 episodes, 1992)
Michael Mallinson	....	first assistant director (3 episodes, 1997-2000)
Peter Bennett	....	second assistant director (2 episodes, 1987)
Fraser Copp	....	second assistant director (2 episodes, 1987)
Christopher Newman	....	first assistant director (2 episodes, 1987)
Paul Taylor	....	third assistant director (2 episodes, 1987)
Keith Young	....	third assistant director (2 episodes, 1987)
Christopher Hall	....	first assistant director (2 episodes, 1990-1991)
Edward Brett	....	first assistant director (2 episodes, 1990)
Jerry Daly	....	second assistant director (2 episodes, 1995-1996)
Steve Robinson	....	second assistant director (2 episodes, 1997-1998)
Ben Burt	....	second assistant director (2 episodes, 1998-2000)

Series Art Department
Gwenda Foord	....	production buyer / production runner (11 episodes, 1987-1991)
Jack Towns	....	property master (11 episodes, 1987-1989)
Martin Kingsley	....	stand-by props / props (9 episodes, 1987-2000)
Dennis Simmonds	....	dressing props / location property master / ... (9 episodes, 1987-1989)
Roy Pembrooke	....	dressing props / storeman (8 episodes, 1987-1989)
Peter Risi	....	stand-by props / chargehand dressing props (7 episodes, 1987-1989)
John Lanzer	....	production buyer (6 episodes, 1990-1993)
Barry Wilkinson	....	property master (6 episodes, 1990-1993)
Mark Hedges	....	prop storeman / props / ... (6 episodes, 1991-2000)
Les Phipps	....	chargehand stand-by rigger / chargehand rigger (5 episodes, 1987-1988)
Steve Pugh	....	stand-by stagehand / stagehand (5 episodes, 1987-1988)
Jo Graysmark	....	assistant art director / art department trainee (5 episodes, 1990-1992)
Malcolm Keen	....	chargehand stand-by painter (4 episodes, 1987-1988)
Bernie Mayor	....	chargehand stand-by carpenter (4 episodes, 1987-1988)
Sharon Cartwright	....	set dresser (4 episodes, 1989)
Ken Hawkey	....	chargehand stand-by painter (4 episodes, 1990)
Charles Ixer	....	storeman (4 episodes, 1990)
Brian Mitchell	....	stand-by stagehand (4 episodes, 1990)
Con Murphy	....	chargehand stand-by rigger (4 episodes, 1990)
Tommy Westbrook	....	chargehand stand-by carpenter (4 episodes, 1990)
Simon Wilkinson	....	chargehand stand-by props (4 episodes, 1990)
Peter Hedges	....	property master (4 episodes, 1991)
John Mills	....	property master (4 episodes, 1992)
Tony Watts	....	production buyer (4 episodes, 1992)
Richard Watts	....	production buyer (3 episodes, 1989)
Joe Dipple	....	dressing props (3 episodes, 1990)
Reg Wheeler	....	stand-by props (3 episodes, 1990)
David Lee	....	assistant art director (3 episodes, 1992)
Peter Wallis	....	stand-by props (2 episodes, 1989)
Tom Brown	....	assistant art director (2 episodes, 1991)
Paul Bradburn	....	props (2 episodes, 1998-2000)
Colin Ellis	....	props (2 episodes, 1998-2000)
John Keenan	....	stagehand (2 episodes, 1998-2000)
John Kirsop	....	carpenter (2 episodes, 1998-2000)
Raymond Perry	....	property master (2 episodes, 1998-2000)
Ian Young	....	props (2 episodes, 1998-2000)
Julian Parry	....	assistant art director (unknown episodes)

Series Sound Department
Tony Dawe	....	production sound mixer / sound mixer / ... (17 episodes, 1990-1993)
Brian Saunders	....	dubbing mixer (12 episodes, 1991-1993)
John Samworth	....	boom operator (11 episodes, 1991-1993)
Tony Anscombe	....	dubbing mixer (9 episodes, 1987-1990)
Nigel Galt	....	digital sound editor / supervising sound editor / ... (9 episodes, 1991-1993)
Paul Conway	....	digital sound editor / sound editor (8 episodes, 1991-1993)
Bruce White	....	sound recordist (7 episodes, 1987-1998)
John Downer	....	dialogue editor / digital sound editor (7 episodes, 1989-1997)
Peter Bond	....	dubbing editor / digital sound editor (6 episodes, 1989-2000)
Chris Gurney	....	boom operator (6 episodes, 1989-1990)
Gordon Brown	....	dubbing editor / footsteps editor (5 episodes, 1987-1988)
Brigitte Arnold	....	dialogue editor (4 episodes, 1987-1988)
Tony Bell	....	boom operator (4 episodes, 1987-1988)
Ted Ball	....	sound engineer (4 episodes, 1989)
Tim Blackham	....	sound recordist (4 episodes, 1989)
Richard King	....	dubbing mixer (4 episodes, 1989)
David Brill	....	sound maintenance (4 episodes, 1990)
Michael Crowley	....	sound editor (4 episodes, 1990)
John Nuth	....	assistant sound editor (4 episodes, 1990)
Jim Roddan	....	sound editor (4 episodes, 1990)
Tony Roper	....	assistant sound editor (4 episodes, 1990)
Colin Chapman	....	dubbing editor (3 episodes, 1987)
Sam Morton	....	dialogue editor (3 episodes, 1988)
Sarah Morton	....	digital sound editor (3 episodes, 1995-1998)
Rupert Scrivener	....	dubbing mixer (3 episodes, 1995-1997)
Terry Sharratt	....	boom operator (3 episodes, 1996-1998)
Michael Feinberg	....	assembly sound editor / digital sound editor (2 episodes, 1987-1996)
David John	....	sound recordist (2 episodes, 1987)
Matthew Launay	....	boom operator (2 episodes, 1987)
Fay Corner	....	assistant dubbing editor (2 episodes, 1988)
Rex Phillips	....	boom operator (2 episodes, 1989)
David Old	....	dubbing mixer (2 episodes, 1990)
Brian Simmons	....	sound recordist (2 episodes, 1995-2000)
Ian Tapp	....	dubbing mixer (2 episodes, 1998-2000)

Series Special Effects by
Arthur Beavis	....	special effects supervisor (3 episodes, 1987)

Series Visual Effects by
Tony Willis	....	effects cameraman (7 episodes, 1987-1988)

Series Stunts
Peter Brayham	....	stunt coordinator (1 episode, 1987)
Wayne Michaels	....	stunt performer (1 episode, 1989)
Bill Weston	....	stunt performer (1 episode, 1989)
Terry Forestal	....	stunts (unknown episodes)
Valentino Musetti	....	stunts (unknown episodes)
Stuart St. Paul	....	stunt coordinator (unknown episodes)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Stephen Morley	....	still photographer (10 episodes, 1988-1992)
Nigel Slatter	....	camera operator (10 episodes, 1990-1995)
Dickie Lee	....	grip (9 episodes, 1989-1992)
Adrian McCarthy	....	grip (8 episodes, 1990-1991)
John Sullivan	....	gaffer / best boy (8 episodes, 1990-1991)
Steve Costello	....	gaffer (7 episodes, 1987-1988)
Bob Shipsey	....	focus puller / clapper loader (7 episodes, 1990-1991)
Nigel Willoughby	....	camera operator (6 episodes, 1987-1988)
Jeremy Hiles	....	focus puller (5 episodes, 1987-1988)
Brian Sullivan	....	best boy (5 episodes, 1990-1991)
Tim Dodd	....	focus puller (5 episodes, 1992)
Alan Martin	....	gaffer (5 episodes, 1992)
Jason Martin	....	best boy (5 episodes, 1992)
John Maskall	....	camera operator (5 episodes, 1992)
Axel Ulrich	....	clapper loader (5 episodes, 1992)
Malcolm Evans	....	generator operator (4 episodes, 1987-1988)
Chris Mortley	....	electrician (4 episodes, 1987-1988)
Alan Rank	....	grip (4 episodes, 1987-1988)
Steve Blake	....	gaffer (4 episodes, 1989)
Tony Breeze	....	focus puller (4 episodes, 1989)
Lucy Bristow	....	clapper loader (4 episodes, 1989)
Louis H. Lavelly	....	camera operator (4 episodes, 1989)
Ronnie McKay	....	best boy (4 episodes, 1989)
Ian Jackson	....	focus puller (4 episodes, 1990)
Vince Madden	....	electrician (4 episodes, 1990)
John Murphy	....	electrician / generator operator (4 episodes, 1990)
Steve Alcorn	....	camera operator (4 episodes, 1996-2000)
Mickey Peerless	....	electrician (3 episodes, 1987-2000)
Jonathan Earp	....	clapper loader (3 episodes, 1987-1988)
George Vince	....	best boy (3 episodes, 1987-1988)
Tom Hilton	....	still photographer (3 episodes, 1987)
Patti Musicaro	....	clapper loader (3 episodes, 1987)
Micky Patten	....	grip (3 episodes, 1987)
Bob Mathers	....	best boy (3 episodes, 1988)
Paul Borg	....	gaffer (3 episodes, 1990)
Colin Powton	....	gaffer (3 episodes, 1993-1996)
Vince Goddard	....	chief electrician / gaffer (3 episodes, 1995-2000)
Christian Abomnes	....	focus puller (3 episodes, 1997-2000)
David Morgan	....	focus puller (2 episodes, 1987-1988)
Ian Pleeth	....	still photographer (2 episodes, 1987-1988)
Peter Lamb	....	best boy (2 episodes, 1993)
Keith Mead	....	grip (2 episodes, 1993)
Terry Pearce	....	focus puller (2 episodes, 1993)
Malcolm Vinson	....	camera operator (2 episodes, 1993)
Martin Cox	....	electrician (2 episodes, 1998-2000)

Series Casting Department
Gilly Poole	....	casting assistant (3 episodes, 1988)
Laura Scott	....	casting assistant (2 episodes, 1989)
Michelle Guish	....	casting (2 episodes, 1991)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
Tony Allen	....	wardrobe master / wardrobe assistant (25 episodes, 1987-2000)
Susie Stokes	....	wardrobe assistant / wardrobe mistress (10 episodes, 1989-1998)
Tiny Nicholls	....	costume supervisor (4 episodes, 1987-1988)
Dianne Murphy	....	wardrobe mistress (3 episodes, 1987)
Jane Howells	....	assistant costume supervisor (2 episodes, 1988)

Series Editorial Department
Michael Feinberg	....	assistant editor / assembly editor (6 episodes, 1987-1992)
Paul Newson	....	assistant editor (5 episodes, 1990-1991)
Laurence Méry-Clark	....	supervising editor (4 episodes, 1989)
Andy Stears	....	assistant editor (4 episodes, 1989)
Folasade Oyeleye	....	second assistant editor (4 episodes, 1990)
Marc Eskenazi	....	on-line editor (4 episodes, 1996-2000)
Edward Marnier	....	supervising editor (3 episodes, 1987)
Marc Davies	....	assistant editor (3 episodes, 1992)
Paul Bulmer	....	assistant editor (2 episodes, 1988)
Kate Mackenzie	....	assistant editor (2 episodes, 1989)
Sarah Rains	....	assistant editor (2 episodes, 1989)
Mark Mostyn	....	assistant editor (2 episodes, 1990)
Katrina Sheldon	....	assistant editor (2 episodes, 1991)
Daniel Farrell	....	assistant editor (2 episodes, 1993)
Ralph Sheldon	....	supervising editor (2 episodes, 1993)

Series Music Department
Andy Brown	....	music contractor (33 episodes, 1987-2000)
Barrington Pheloung	....	conductor (33 episodes, 1987-2000)
Graham Walker	....	music coordinator / music supervisor (16 episodes, 1987-1995)
Matthew Slater	....	music preparation services (4 episodes, 1996-2000)

Series Other crew
Pauline Harlow	....	script supervisor (27 episodes, 1987-2000)
Kenny McBain	....	series developer / original series developer (26 episodes, 1989-2000)
Fliss Coombs	....	publicist (22 episodes, 1987-1993)
Clair McCoy	....	production executive / production accountant (19 episodes, 1987-1993)
Russell Lodge	....	location manager (11 episodes, 1987-1993)
Trevor Bond	....	title designer (11 episodes, 1987-1989)
Margaret Adams	....	production coordinator (10 episodes, 1991-1992)
Ray Buckley	....	production accountant (9 episodes, 1990-1991)
Amanda Poster	....	assistant to producer / producer's assistant (9 episodes, 1990-1991)
Sandra Frieze	....	assistant to producer / production assistant (8 episodes, 1989-1997)
Virginia Green	....	production secretary (7 episodes, 1987-1988)
Kelly Howard-Garde	....	production coordinator (7 episodes, 1987-1988)
Martin Lee	....	location manager / assistant location manager (7 episodes, 1988-1989)
Dennis Firminger	....	chief location manager / location manager (7 episodes, 1989-1998)
Gerald Fitzsimon	....	assistant accountant (7 episodes, 1990-1991)
Charles Hubbard	....	location manager (7 episodes, 1990-1991)
Sharon Mansfield	....	trainee script supervisor / trainee (7 episodes, 1991-1992)
Dena Vincent	....	production coordinator (6 episodes, 1989-1997)
Terry Connors	....	production accountant (6 episodes, 1989-1995)
Sabia Hall	....	assistant to producer (5 episodes, 1992)
Jane Kearney-Collins	....	production accountant (5 episodes, 1992)
Philip Fenerty	....	technical consultant (4 episodes, 1987-1988)
Robert Gasser	....	college advisor (4 episodes, 1987-1988)
Andy Hennigan	....	assistant accountant (4 episodes, 1989)
Sarah Dean	....	assistant accountant (4 episodes, 1990)
Tim Epps	....	title designer (4 episodes, 1990)
Sue Sheldon	....	production coordinator (4 episodes, 1990)
Richard Styles	....	production runner (4 episodes, 1990)
Rebecca Lamb	....	assistant accountant (4 episodes, 1992)
Angela Wharton	....	script supervisor (3 episodes, 1987)
Neil Chaplin	....	production accountant (3 episodes, 1996-1998)
Alan Pinniger	....	location manager (3 episodes, 1997-2000)
Marilyn Clarke	....	production coordinator (2 episodes, 1993)
Andrew Noakes	....	assistant accountant (2 episodes, 1993)
Damien Timmer	....	script editor (2 episodes, 1995-1997)
Christine Fenton	....	production coordinator (2 episodes, 1998-2000)
Stuart Morton	....	rushes synchronisation (2 episodes, 1998-2000)
Philip Shelley	....	script editor (2 episodes, 1998-2000)
Sarah Walden	....	assistant to producer (2 episodes, 1998-2000)

Production Companies

• Carlton UK Productions
• Central Independent Television
• WGBH
• Zenith Entertainment Ltd.

Distributors

• Carlton International Media
• Independent Television (ITV)
• Public Broadcasting Service (PBS)

Other Companies

• Anvil Post Production  sound re-recording (1995-2000)
• Bell Lighting Ltd.  lighting
• Casting Collective  extras casting
• Compuhire  computer playback
• D & D International  transport and facilities
• Delta Sound Services  recording studio
• Film Flow  transport and facilities
• Morris Angel & Son Ltd.  costumes
• Panavision UK  camera equipment provided by
• Unitab  video transfer

Runtime:

120 min (33 episodes)

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:PG (some episodes) | Australia:MA (some episodes) | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Abersoch, Gwynedd, Wales, UK

Company:

Carlton UK Productions

Trivia:

The flute in the theme music spells Morse's name in Morse code. Also, it sometimes spells the name of the murderer(!) and sometimes the name of an innocent character, to throw knowledgeable listeners off the trail.

Quotes:

Morse: The secret of a happy life is to know when to stop - and then go that bit further.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Lewis... Behind the Scenes (2007) (TV)

Morse isn't grouchy--he's prickly--and witty--and brilliantly portrayed

One of the things that has sustained my wife and I through half a century is our mutual love of mysteries. Our appetite for that fare has never been sated, but perhaps it came closest during a trip to England when fortunate circumstance led to our spending an afternoon at lunching and then strolling through Oxford in the company of Colin Dexter. The gracious nature and prickly wit of Morse seems a reflection of the author, whose tastes in the arts are expressed irreverently and inevitably through Morse. The intellect of the author is spelled out in the character, and though the books aren't autobiographical in plot,they seem to be in terms of the characterization of the central figure. Mr. Dexter uses his scholarship and his intellect in life in much the way Morse does--his wry comments on Oxford and its denizens during our visit seemed akin to Morse's views of them. John Thaw, Colin Dexter and Inspector Morse are to me the holy trinity of the mystery genre. Audiences have rarely been so fortunate in the bringing together of an author, a central character and a portrayer each of whom so brilliantly fulfilled his destiny in the same series of performances.