Lewis - Series 1 [2006]

See Larger Image	List Price: £24.99 Our Price: £12.98 Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours Manufacturer: itv DVD Starring: Kevin Whately, Sophie Winkleman, Colin Starkey, Charlie Cox, Jemma Redgrave Directed By: Bill Anderson (III) Average Customer Rating:


Audience Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over Binding: DVD EAN: 5037115211330 Format: Box set Label: itv DVD Manufacturer: itv DVD Number Of Items: 4 Publisher: itv DVD Region Code: 2 Release Date: 2007-03-12 Running Time: 372 Studio: itv DVD Theatrical Release Date: 2006-01-29
Related Items Lewis - Series 2 - Complete [2007] Foyle's War - Series Five - Complete [2008] New Tricks : Complete BBC Series 3 [2007] Inspector Morse - The Complete Series (33 Disc Box Set) [1987] New Tricks : Complete BBC Series 1 [2003]
Editorial Reviews: It’s taken a long time for Kevin Whately to take centre stage in a detective drama, but Lewis proves it’s been time well spent. Lewis, of course, was previously the sidekick to Inspector Morse, and that raised fair suspicions that this spin-off drama was a fairly unnecessary cash-in of sorts. But those suspicions have proven unfounded, and Lewis has emerged as one of the best new programmes to hit ITV in recent years. The format’s not moved on a great deal since the heights of Inspector Morse, but in this case, that’s no bad thing. The episodes in this set on the whole build slowly, and build up intelligently and with diligence. Occasionally there are moments where the pace slips a little too much, but that’s more than overcome by the fact that the drama on offer here is so absorbing. It’s all anchored, of course, by Whately’s excellent portrayal of the lead character. Eminently watchable, and clearly wearing the clothes of a character that he knows completely, it’s a smashing performance, and with the aid of an excellent supporting cast, Lewis develops into a real treat. Is it better than Morse? Well, that’s far too early too call. But on this basis of this debut, Lewis certainly has the potential for as enduring a legacy. --Jon Foster
Spotlight customer reviews: Customer Rating: Summary: Good solid detective drama Comment: Not quite the same feel as when Morse was the boss, but still very watchable. Just a bit disappointed there were so few episodes in this package Customer Rating: Summary: No Remorse! Comment: I am so happy that the "Inspector Lewis" mysteries have been continued after the pilot. The mysteries represent a happy complement to the original series. Kevin Whately as Lewis may be older but he is also wiser, and, because of the untimely death of his wife, sadder. Nevertheless, he has stepped gamely into the role of his old mentor Inspector Morse, and he is ably assisted by Sergeant Hathaway (Laurence Fox), a Cambridge-educated student of theology. Thus the tables have been turned from the Morse mysteries. Lewis is now the curmudgeon with a pint of beer and Hathaway, the voice of reason. The Thames Valley police force is a very different institution than it was in Morse's day. A woman is now Chief Inspector, and she is no pushover. The mysteries, nevertheless, remain intriguing and are laced with elegance, intelligence, and wit. And, there is always a reminder of our old friend Morse lurking somewhere in the background. Customer Rating: Summary: Lewis Comment: The duo Lewis & Hathaway is brilliant. So pleased that they are heading for further series. Script/plot great and Oxford backdrop is terrific, Don't know how many times I've watched "Life born of Fire" but I never tire of the whole thing. Kevin Whately and Laurence Fox bounce off each other really, really well...more, more please. Customer Rating: Summary: "...I Knew Him Well!" Comment: This is Hamlet without the Prince of Denmark. Here we have Lewis, promoted to Inspector and fresh (if such be the bon mot) from a few years on secondment to the British Virgin Islands. His wife has been killed in a car smash some years ago and his face looks well and truly lived in! He has lost most if not all of his former charm as Sergeant Lewis, but of course I believe that's called Character Development (or increasing age lol!) and is true to the ongoing story, which started, in effect, with the incomparable Inspector Morse. Lewis is notably short-tempered here. And Lewis now takes on some of the characteristics of the deceased Morse: drinking real ale, knowing about poetry and history and even listening on occasion to Wagner! Oxford is Oxford and (with much of the modern city's commercialized mess excluded) is beautiful. The fact that the most of the same people created this as were responsible for Morse, makes "Lewis" superbly located and filmed, with title music by Barrington Pheloung (as also in "Morse"). Lewis (the series) is a lot more politically correct than Inspector Morse (the series), but that, again, mirrors the continuing development (decay?) of society in the UK, perhaps. The police headquarters is all energy-saving dull strip lights, horrible blue decor and (probably poorly functioning) air-conditioning; the boss is a woman (who interferes far more than did the old Det. Chief Superintendent Strange in "Morse"); there are endless computer terminals about and a lack of fresh air, seemingly. Lewis has a sergeant assistant of his own, now, one Hathaway, a former theological student and trainee C of E cleric. Hathaway is very much the metrosexual cold fish who is probably terminally "pc" in more ways than one, but, again, that may be true to life as it is now... For me, nothing can equal Morse, but this is a good, even very good, attempt to keep the ball rolling. I especially loved the end scene with the Rottweillers! Customer Rating: Summary: Very glossy stuff ! Comment: Messars Fox & Whately play their parts very well indeed ! It is very well acted & filmed . As a person living in Oxford I am so pleased that Lewis has done so well. This series reminds me of the more recent Poirot's inasmuch as Lewis is still Lewis but he is a darker and sadder sort of person who is deprived of the comedic moments that he used to share with Supt Strange and of course Morse himself. This is Robbie Lewis as a mature person who has faced tradegy & despair at losing both his wife and best friend. Hathaway is a superb sidekick & being a sentimental sort I loved the homage that has been paid to Morse. It is very nice to see Oxford on TV again as that fair City contains many splendid sites that the show reminds locals like me just how lucky we are to live there. It is a well written & the acting is top draw. The plot lines are as strong as ever while the characters have the depth & substance of Morse itself. All in all I went in with low expectations & came away pleasantly suprised! A must for people who have seen all the episodes of Morse and who fancy something of a similar genre. It is an updated reworking of a successful franchise and it is pleasing to watch. More Reviews