MISS FISHER AND THE CRYPT OF TEARS

Australia, 2020, 101 minutes, Colour.
Essie Davis, Nathan Paige, Rupert Penry- Jones, Miriam Margolyes, Daniel Lapaine, Jacqueline Mc Kenzie, Izabella Yena, Kal Naga, John Waters, John Stanton, Ian Bliss, William Zappa.
Directed by Tony Tilse.

There were 34 episodes of Miss Phryne Fisher and her cases on Australian television. They were popular. She was popular. She was played by Essie Davis (The Babadook, The True Story of the Kelly Gang), a particularly strong and dominant character, involved in all kinds of detection, and something of a fashion plate.

Perhaps it was inevitable that there would be an attempt to capitalise on her presence on the big screen. Unfortunately, this film was not a critical success and many found it disappointing. However, it provided entertainment for many of the fans of the series.

This adventure opens with a veiled Miss Fisher, being pursued through the streets of Jerusalem – plenty of action in her exploits and, with a lot of derring-do, weapons, ability to fight, skill in escaping, the Indiana Jones comparison comes to the fore. However, looking for a female equivalent in the action hero genre, the main character who comes to mind is Lara Croft – and, even at the end, some tomb-raiding.

As with the series, the action takes place in the 1920s, memories of World War I, sufficiently glamorous in the flapper age to rely on eye-catching costumes and decor, especially the outfits that Miss Fisher seems to have readily at hand.

The plot involves a Sheikh, his missing niece, memories of the massacre in her village and the death of her mother, eventually the revelation of the theft of jewels from ancient tombs. The initial chase action keeps pace with Miss Fisher being grilled by authorities in Jerusalem, springing the niece from jail, motorbike through the desert, a Butch Cassidy and Sundance leap onto the roof of a moving train, a grim tunnel… And the report coming that Miss Fisher had been killed. A detective love, Jack (Nathan Page) is seen in Melbourne but deciding to go to London for a memorial to her. Friends and family are assembled, with some glimpses of Aunt Prudence (Miriam Margolyes) and a spectacular gatecrashing entry by Miss Fisher, landing her plane on the lawn where the memorial ceremony is taking place.

There are a number of mysterious characters. There are a number of mysterious killings. Members of a family are involved in the mystery of the jewels, especially the rather alcoholic and disreputable Lord Lofthouse (Daniel Lapaine) and his wife (Jacqueline Mc Kenzie) and the much more respectable brother, Jonathon (Rupert Penry- Jones). But, it is back to Jerusalem, the visit to the crypt and the revelation of the mystery.

There are some cameos by veteran Australian actors, John Waters as a professor in Jerusalem, John Stanton as a prim butler, William Zappa as a police chief.

The screenplay was written by Deb Cox, veteran of the series but also a wide range of television series, directed by Tony Tilse who also has an extensive list of credits for television and cinema.

1. The popularity of the television series? A cinema spin-off?

2. Audience knowledge of Miss Fisher, liking her, her character, skills, style, exploits, detection? The touch of Indiana Jones? The touch of Lara Croft?

3. The settings, Jerusalem, the desert? Melbourne scenes? The English country estate?

4. The period, costumes and decor? Miss Fisher and her dress and colour style? British formality? The musical score?

5. The introduction, Miss Fisher running through the crowds, her blue cloak, on the pursuers, her vanishing? The interview with the British authorities in Jerusalem? Her searching for the Sheikh’s niece? British disapproval? Her gun taken, the bullets emptied, her stealing one? Tying up the guard? Escape? Outside the cell window, her red dress? Discussions with Shirin? The donkey pulling the grill? The escape? Through the desert, the motorbike, the cliff, onto the train roof, the dangers, Miss Fisher presumed dead?

6. The transition to Melbourne, Jack and his work, decision to go to London? His arrival, the country estate, Aunt Prudence present, the memorial, the speeches, the family and friends? The plane, Miss Fisher alive, carefree, Jack and his reaction, walking off?

7. Jack, his character, presence in the series, his relationship with Miss Fisher? His being upset with her, her relying on him, manipulating him?

8. The Lofthouse family, the alcoholic brother, his superior attitudes, relationship with his wife? Hosting the dinner? The contrast with Jonathon? His demeanour, his history?

9. The arrival of the Cheikh, his niece? Her gratitude towards Miss Fisher? The discussions, the political implications? Memories of the war? The story of the massacre, the stealing of the jewels? The pendant and the emerald? The atmosphere of the household? The role of Crippins, serving, advising, especially Jonathon?

10. Miss Fisher, the visit to the church, the contact, his being shot, the emerald?

11. The Sheikh being shot? The mystery? The decision to return to Jerusalem? The initial meeting with the professor and his information, visiting him again?

12. The visit to the crypt, Shirin and her presence, Jonathon, Jack, Miss Fisher? The crypt, the jewels, the more recent skeleton?

13. Miss Fisher, the explanation of the case, Jonathon and his confession, the past, his presence with the soldiers, the stealing of the jewels, the killing of Shirin in the crypt, the group escaping? The shot being fired?

14. The resolution of the case – and the prospect of returning to Australia?