DEADLY SLUMBER

UK, 1993, 103 minutes, Colour.
John Thaw, Kevin Whately, Brian Cox, Janet Suzman, Jason Durr, Richard Owens, Robert Swann, Patrick Godfrey, Pennie Downey, James Grout., Ian Mc Niece.
Directed by Stuart Orme.

Deadly Slumber is one of 33 television adaptations of Colin Dexter novels with John Thaw as Inspector Morse and Kevin Whately as Sgt Lewis. It is an entertaining and interesting episode, quite complicated murder scenario, intricate, Morse and Lewis eventually unravelling the mystery.

There are Oxford settings, the clinic, hospitals, a young woman in terminal coma. Her father, a very successful and wealthy bookmaker, Brian Cox always effective, has taken the authorities to court but lost. He still wants revenge. There are complications with the institution, the fragile health state of the doctor’s wife, Janet Suzman, and her role in the episode. There is also the complication of their student son, played by Jason Durr. The anaesthetist for the operation has a complex relationship with the doctors. She is played by Pennie Downey.

There are layers on layers in this episode, some mastermind manipulation of characters, some lies and deceits for alibis. Morse becomes very friendly with the bookmaker, quite sympathetic, visiting his daughter – so that his disillusionment at the end is quite painful for him.

Interesting, as always, and well acted.

1. The popularity of Inspector Morse mysteries? The novels of Colin Dexter? The screen adaptations? The presence of John Thaw as Morse? Kevin Whately as Lewis?

2. The Oxford settings, the city, universities, houses, the countryside? Hospitals? The musical score?

3. The title, Michael Steppings and his daughter, the institution, Dr Brewster and his wife, nurse Hazlitt, the small operation, anaesthetic, mishap, the daughter going into fatal coma? Her father keeping her alive? His vigils? His wanting vengeance?

4. The introduction to Claire Brewster, her personality, waiting for her husband? The relationship? The starting of the clinic, his work, her work? The court case? Steppings and his attack? The court vindication? The consequences?

5. The death of Dr Brewster? In his car? The presence of his son, his son’s edgy personality? The reaction of his wife? The police called in? Morse and Lewis? The interrogations? Audience sympathies not towards the Brewster’s? John Brewster and his relationship with Jane, his edgy behaviour, the night of the death, her suspicions?

6. The reputation of Michael Steppings, bookmaker, fortune, devotion to his daughter? His wealth, the country house? His wanting revenge? The anonymous letters? His genial personality, friendship with Morse, sharing the drink? His alibis? The visits to his daughter? Morse and his sympathy? Bringing the flowers?

7. The interviews with Wendy Hazlitt, her role as a nurse, at the institution with the Brewsters, her transfer to the hospital with Steppings daughter? Her artwork, paintings? Morse and his admiration? The interviews, her going on holidays? The irony of Morse’s visit to Steppings mansion, the view, seeing it in the painting?

8. The complications with Dr Brewster, the affair with Nurse Hazlitt, the secrecy, the nurse claiming his wife knew, his wife denying it? The involvement of his son?

9. The manner of the murder, the car, the garage, the fumes? The use of diving equipment by the murderer? The link to Jane, the club, the shop, her equipment? John Brewster and his entanglement with Steppings, the fullest participation? His giving himself up, in prison? For his mother?

10. Steppings, the time line, driving, at the pub, the witnesses, the testimony of the woman who found his wallet, handing it in? Yorkshire? The fingerprints? The later revelation that it was Wendy Hazlitt?

11. The conspiracy, the involvement of John Brewster, his lies, agitation, waiting for his father, the arrangements for the death? The diving equipment? The notes and the threats?

12. Morse confronting Steppings, his disappointment and disillusionment? The truth? The work of Morse, the detection, Lewis and his work in interviews? Morse throwing flowers into the rubbish?

13. The girl’s mother, coming to the hospital, turning of the equipment?

14. The tangle of truth and lies, the motivation for revenge? Steppings and he is using people?