LAST SEEN WEARING

UK, 1987, 103 minutes, Colour.
John Thaw, Kevin Whately, Peter Mc Enery, Glyn Houston, Frances Tomelty.
Directed by Edward Bennett.

Last Seen Wearing is a very entertaining murder mystery, done with great British style. It is part of the Inspector Morse series. Morse is played by John Thaw (The Sweeney) and won a British Film Academy award for his performance.

The film is set in Oxford, in a school, has a great number of complexities in the plot. Inspector Morse is an almost burnt-out case, who nevertheless responds with some ingenuity in investigation. There is an excellent supporting cast led by Peter Mc Enery. The film was directed by Edward Bennett. Fine entertainment.

1.Interesting police drama? In comparison with other British police dramas? Mystery and investigation? The strength of character drawing, police at work, the ethos of the police?

2.The British style: location photography, editing and pace?

3.The style, the wit of the screenplay, authentic characterisations in a contrived plot? The musical score?

4.The Oxford and London settings, homes, the school, the streets? Realistic atmosphere?

5.John Thaw as Inspector Morse: at home, listening to music, reading the classics, drinking? His reputation? The burnt-out touch? Tired, alone? His manner, personality? Clashes with authority? On the case, his pessimistic view? Working with Lewis, the interaction between them? Presuming the girl was dead? The examination of the files? The visit to the school, the encounter with Miss Baines, with the headmaster? The interview with the girls, using the newspaper articles, eliciting points of view from the girls? The teacher who moved to the Catholic school? The encounter at the door with his wife? The discussions with him? Going to see Mr Craven on the building site, his attitudes towards Craven? Wealth, aristocracy? The newly rich? Visiting his wife and the interview? The explanation of her marriage, relationship with her daughter? Tracking down Maguire, going through his flat? The interrogation, the accusation about the pregnancy? His ability to follow up clues, the forging of the letter? His various theories? His not having theories? Lewis and his theories? The superintendent and the clash?

6.Lewis, straightforward, his theories, prudish, working hard, seeing him at work, the clash with Morse? The apology?

7.The picture of the police, the control by the superintendent, the links with the rich and the investigation of the Craven case?

8.The girl and her situation, the clues, the letter, its not having a heading, the reassurance that she was well? The emergence of the pregnancy? The question of the abortion? Her relationship with Maguire? With the schoolteacher and her mother not permitting abortions? Her relationship with her parents? The irony that she was at the door of the teacher's house? Her finally coming back, reconciliation with her parents?

9.The sketch of the headmaster, the dapper and charming style, the girls infatuated with him? His relationship with his wife, their answering Inspector Morse's questions together? His family? The news of the affair with Grace? His stories, style, lies? Tracking down his wife, it emerging that she visited Miss Baines? His explanations, being a suspect? The visit to Grace, being overheard by his wife? His attempts at clearing himself? The blackmail, the antagonism towards Miss Baines, her death? His being taken away?

10.Craven, his work, wealth, the emphasis on having dirty feet and getting to work, his antagonism towards Inspector Morse? Grace, the Irish background, her openness - yet concealing the truth? The encounter with the headmaster's wife? Her telling of the truth?

11.Miss Baines, at work, good teacher, becoming deputy, her relationship with Julia and being idolised by her, the lesbian background, the blackmail and hold over the headmaster? The sending of the letter to reassure the girl's parents? The confrontation with the headmaster and her death?

12.The teacher at the Catholic school, his attitudes, theories, the irony of his being in the town the night Miss Baines was killed, the truth?

13.The detail of the character drawing and studies? The wit of the screenplay? The authentic touch?