Foyle's War - Series 1-8 Complete [DVD]

I watched this years back and have recently purchased the boxed set (and re watched) . Simply staggered by the writing and acting quality. Not sure if this says more abou what passes for current TV and film writing but its bloody good. Horowitz often sets little known details or incidents of the period as the backdrop. A good understanding of WW2 history will add to your enjjoyment but is not necessary. The stories are self contained so you don't need to watch them all in order but it does help. The boxed set I got just has the actual TV shows, This is one case where I might have preferred to buy an edition with behind the scenes /how they made shorts as there are often scenes that I wondered how they'd managed to recreate it on a British TV drama budget. Strongly recommended.

One of the best detective series shown on tv and some dozy fool ended it. He thought it was old fashion!!!!! Even though it had thousands of viewers!. There was such an outcry they had to bring it back and I think whoever cancelled the series got shown the door.The trouble was once they knew it was to end they took to the end of the war!!! consequently it ended up being a spy series very good but not a patch on the Hastings detective series such a crying shame.

Fishing is Christopher Foyle's particular pleasure - acute observation and infinite patience so often resulting in an impressive catch. Such skills serve him well in the police force. During the war he is instrumental in maintaining law and order in Hastings. Later, in MI5, his achievements are arguably even more awesome.No one should be deceived by his mild manner and seemingly casual form of questioning. Villains, some of them very high up indeed, will find themselves well and truly netted. Ahead for them - disgrace, arrest, long spells in prison, possibly execution. It is no surprise some choose suicide.This is Anthony Horowitz's brainchild, Michael Kitchen the actor he understandably most wanted for the part - the performance superb.Here, though, is more than a collection of ingeniously contrived murder mysteries. Throughout the series it is the war that dominates, we very much there and then. Painstaking research has resulted in more than ever discovered about those years, top secrets exposed - some of them very disturbing indeed. (For example, it is a real shock to learn how the Luftwaffer obtained its fuel for the Blitz.) Such revelations form the basis for each episode, murder plots cleverly interwoven.Powerfully depicted is how conditions actually were. Initially this country so very much on its own, hardship in plenty, genuine fears of imminent invasion. Among later issues with uncomfortable impact is the plight of returning fighters, some so damaged in body and mind - not recognized by their children, marriages floundering, work unlikely with women having taken over so efficiently (at far less pay).Yes indeed there is much to think about. So easily much could overwhelmingly depress. Happily Honeysuckle Weeks as Foyle's ever-cheerful driver Sam helps lighten the mood.The box set abounds with bonuses, especially the later discs. Many may surprise. Some of the seemingly more far-fetched storylines are revealed based on facts - secret deals that show neither key figures nor major organizations in a good light, often ones they had desperately tried to keep suppressed.Praise goes to all involved here. Evenings these past two weeks have represented a binge-watcher's paradise.(P.S. A moving example of how tough circumstances once were. Winning prize in a raffle? An onion.)

Nice just to relax and enjoy

I love the series and am very happy with the set.

REMASTERED? Well it says so here, but my DVD collection is very good quality. No, I got this box set for one reason only....It has very good SUBTITLES. So important for so many. Also I value the entire series as one of the best, along with POIROT...made with loving care with terrific scripts and acting (a prime example is "THE WHITE FEATHER Ep 2 disc One. It never fails to move me). Kitchen, Weeks and Howell are just so right, and each episode has a terrifice guest cast. Highly recomended - and...SUBS!!

On the whole I do not like "Detective" series, they are often boring and very contrived. This is not so for Foyle's War. Everything about this series is spot on and Anthony Horowitz's ability to almost immediately create a familiarity with the main characters is peerless. I have watched a good many films or series in which it takes the author what seems like an age to establish the "who's who" and this generally leaves me cold and disinterested. Another factor that many writers and directors have difficulty with is in establishing the time frame. When watching "Foyle's War" in my mind I am transported back to those war years by a great script, a wonderfully accurate set and top class acting.I now look forward to the 45 hours of viewing to come and I have no difficulty in recommending this series to anyone with even half an interest. Put quite simply, stop dithering and buy the series.