THE SECRET OF BAY 5b
UK, 1989, 103 minutes, Colour.
John Thaw, Kevin Whately, Amanda Hillwood, Mel Martin, Andrew Wilde, George Irving, Susan Kyd.
Directed by Jim Goddard.
This is one of the later episodes in the long-running Morse series on British television, 33 episodes in all. This one is from 1989.
The familiar ingredients are there: the Oxford setting though not so much emphasised this time, Morse and his moods, reflective music, interrogations, always leaning on Lewis, but a variation in his attraction towards the doctor working on the autopsies, a date, some dancing, meeting again, music… The more humane face of Morse.
The settings are more ordinary than usual, homes, police precincts, a hut out in the woods. The murder victim is found in a car in the car park. Important for the investigation are the tickets indicating times for the parking as well as theatre tickets, providing background for alibis.
The murder victim is a womaniser, relationships in the past and present. There are several suspects, a woman he was in relationship with, her alcoholic husband out in the woods, business associates. With more solving the mystery of the times on the tickets, the alibis coming apart, the murderer and the situations are not quite what we would have anticipated. Which is the enjoyment of Morse murder mystery.
1. The popularity of the long-running series? Television movies? With style? The popularity of Morse and his personality, enigmatic and mannered style? The personality of Lewis? Their relationship? The solving of the crimes? Intricacy of the plot? The psychological dimensions, the mystery and clues? Police work and solving the mysteries with their own abilities? The work of Colin Dexter?
2.The Oxford settings, the city and landscapes, the cityscapes, the buildings? Comments about Oxford and Oxford society? The ironies about Oxford and the dons? The university city? Ordinary people? Their interconnections? So much beauty – and so much crime?
3.The quality of the mysteries, character-driven? Sufficient information, sufficient clues? The exploration of character and clues?
4.John Thaw as Morse, his personality, the changes over the years, yet remaining the same? The mystery of his name? His crusty manner, the bachelor (but romantic at times)? His own authority – exercised over Lewis – and his reaction to authorities? Promotion or not? The changing of his attitudes towards Lewis, bossing him, patronising him about education and culture? The issue of music? Drinking ale? His car? Quietly at home, at work? With Lewis, understanding the situations and characters, the deductions? His being a good listener – but critical?
5.The contrast with Lewis, the family man, the ordinary policeman, education and lack of education, his being put down by Morse – but enjoying his comeuppance now and again? Music and his ignorance? The first reactions, Lewis being patient? His admiration for Morse, having to do so much leg work, to formulate hypotheses? Working under pressure? Collaborator and partner of Morse?
6.The police authorities in Oxford? The medical examiners – and Morse and his attitude towards the female authorities? Sexist and patronising? Changing? The encounters with Dr Russell, the attraction, manner of speaking, the music, dancing, the dates, the discussions? The emotional side of Morse?
7.The quality of the film as a crime thriller, a thriller with intelligence and demands on the audience?
8. The opening, the focus on Rosemary, her marriage, self-regard, reticent, the absence of George, the relationship with Michael, her gradual revelations, the interviews, her reactions, the visit to George, the car, Lewis following her, the ticket, the alibi, the lies, exposure?
9. Michael Gifford, architect, relationships, womaniser, finances, the insurance company, the suspects? The manner of his death, the reporting of the body in the car park?
10. The call-in, the body, the car, the position, the rest of the, the information?
11. The lead to Camilla, her manner, dress, composure, escort, the interview, seductive, information?
- The business partner, the artwork, the insurance, his wife, the frauds, his being unmasked?
14. Edward Manley, the company, the secretary of the welcome, the gathering, the information?
15. George, drinking, his liver, separated from Rosemary, gamekeeper, his work, Morse and the interviews? The suddenness of his death?
16.The range of alibis, the tickets for the opera, the car park, the timing? Morse and his speculations?
17. The truth, Manley visiting George, the connection with Rosemary, the death, the exposure?
