IMDb on iPhone and iPod touch Learn more Learn more Download from the App Store
IMDb > "Inspector Morse" (1987)
"Inspector Morse"
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditsepisode listepisodes castepisode ratings... by rating... by votestv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user reviewsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsrecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summaryplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

"Inspector Morse" (1987) More at IMDbPro »TV series 1987-2000

Photos (see all 398 | slideshow)

Overview

User Rating:
8.6/10   1,064 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 24% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Contact:
View company contact information for Inspector Morse on IMDbPro.
Seasons:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 full episode list
Release Date:
4 February 1988 (USA) more
Genre:
Plot:
A grouchy but cultured police detective and his easy going partner investigate crimes around the British community of Oxford. full summary
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
9 wins & 12 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(12 articles)
Hamlet on TV | TV matters
 (From The Guardian - TV News. 16 December 2009, 4:05 PM, PST)

TV plays it by the book
 (From The Guardian - TV News. 22 November 2009, 11:44 PM, PST)

User Reviews:
The epitome of quality more (23 total)

Cast

 (Series Cast Summary - 4 of 25)
John Thaw ... Chief Inspector Morse (33 episodes, 1987-2000)
Kevin Whately ... Detective Sergeant 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
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
120 min (33 episodes)
Country:
Language:
Colour:
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Australia:PG (some episodes) | Australia:MA (some episodes) | Netherlands:12 | Australia:M

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Ailish Hurley was the bar manager of Chapter's Bar (now the Morse Bar), Randolph Hotel, Oxford. She was a good friend of Colin Dexter and was a continual source of inspiration to him, persuading him to carry on writing the Inspector Morse novels on which the TV series is based. As a mark of respect, he asked for her to be given a cameo role in the final Inspector Morse film, "Inspector Morse: The Remorseful Day (#12.1)" (2000), where she is briefly seen serving coffee to Morse and Sandra Harrison. Sadly, she died of cancer on 25 September 2005. more
Quotes:
Morse: Drink that, Lewis, and loosen some brain cells. more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Comic Relief: Behind the Nose (1992) (TV) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
34 out of 34 people found the following review useful.
The epitome of quality, 27 July 2004
Author: matthew-58 from England

I think most people would agree, whether British or not, that Inspector Morse represents everything that is good about British television. In January 1987, the first television episode of Colin Dexter's intelligent series of novels was broadcast. Inspector Morse was perfect - the beautiful scenery of Oxford, the classic red Jaguar, the classical music and a superb, and at times moving, central performance by the man his co-star Kevin Whately would later describe, after his untimely death in 2002, as Britain's finest screen actor.

Until it finished in 2000, Inspector Morse captivated large audiences, intrigued by its complex plots, the towering performance of John Thaw and its amazing roll call of quality guest actors. The series oozed class from every pore, and will always be the greatest jewel in the magnificent career of the late John Thaw. I really cannot find enough words to explain just how good I think Thaw was in so many of his television and film roles, but Morse was the character in which he proved to television viewers that he was not only versatile but had a rare depth.

The early episodes are certainly my favourites, as they were adapting the existing stories. Later, as they ran out of Dexter's stories, they began writing stories to keep the popular series going. But throughout, we learn more and more about the mysterious, emotionally repressed and rather sad Inspector. Without doubt, this is the greatest modern murder mystery franchise, and the series so many have tried, and failed, to emulate since.

Was the above review useful to you?
more (23 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for "Inspector Morse" (1987)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Do non-Brits watch Morse? jolleymatt-1
Piano music in Infernal Serpent - help please :) losingmypatience
Future stars in supporting roles Bridgemonkee
Please explain the plot of 'The Infernal Serpent' johnlassiter
Is any other Detective series as good as Morse ? andy_1976
Who killed Mr. Gifford ric-boyd
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Mystic River Freeway La bête humaine The Black Widow Making the Headlines
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Episode guide Full cast and crew Company credits
External reviews News articles IMDb TV section
IMDb Crime section IMDb UK section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.

You may add a new episode for this TV series by clicking the 'add episode' button