DVD Corner

Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries Series 1 Blu-ray Review

“Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries” suffers from routine mysteries.

Based on the novels by Kerry Greenwood, “Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries” is an Australian murder-mystery television program set in the jazzy Australia in the 1920’s. The series revolves around Phryne Fisher, a nosy, sexual, fashionable, high class amateur lady detective who carries a pistol. Throughout the course of the 13 episodes, viewers can expect to see plots about: Phryne’s sister’s killer (Murdoch), romance, multiple murder investigations (several of which were done in public), abortions, a motor car, Phryne’s maid Dot, drugs, poison, Phryne’s past, dancing, Phryne going undercover as a magician’s assistant, missing persons, and detective Jack Robinson.

While some folks are content with formulaic comfort television, others (like myself) are dismayed by the lack of variety. With film, you can tell any type of story you want in a limited amount of time, but with scripted TV, there are very few types of shows. Most shows (whether you like it or not) tend to be centered around police, lawyers or Doctors. Since these shows tend to be the most successful, imitators trying to cash-in on their success are often greenlit. While the show has merit, “Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries” is certainly the type of show that feels all too familiar.

If you’ve seen any number of private detective or murder-mystery shows such as “Poirot,” none of the stories will surprise you in ‘Fisher.’ The mysteries are routine, the plot set-ups are all too convenient (with many murders taking place near Fisher), the dialogue is corny (see “She’s bleeding all over my bleedin’ apolstrey”), Fisher’s clash with a real detective is predictable, and the acting can be seriously hokey and overly dramatic.

On the plus side, the stories aren’t all stale. When the show focuses on Phryne’s life and past, it can be rather engaging. When the attention is on the bland murder of the week case, however, it’s easy to tune out. Still, even when the show stumbles, actress/star Essie Davis still manages to carry the show on her back with a strong, personable performance in each episode.

The most impressive aspect of this series, however, has to be the spectacular production values. Since this show is a period piece, the production staff went to great lengths to create authentic and lavish costumes and sets. It’s a visually stunning show to be sure.

Video/Audio:

Presented in widescreen 1080i, the video quality has a few noticeable flaws such as artifacts, fuzzy images and some audible video noise. On the plus side, the hi-def transfer makes the sets, makeup, and wardrobe look far more detailed and colorful.

The DTS-HD MA 2.0 audio track is adequate, but you can tell this is a very low end hi-def track.

Extras:
* Acorn trailers, a photo gallery, a BD-ROM newspaper page prop, and a featurette on the Hispano-Suiza car in the brief “Vehicles of the Series.”
* “Set Tour”- Author Kerry Greenwood tours the sets for 3 1/2 minutes.
* Interviews with cast members Essie Davis, Nathan Page, Ashleigh Cummings and Hugo Johnstone-Burt.
* “Meet The Creators”- The title says it all.
* “Steam Train Experts”- A short piece on the steam train scene in an episode.
* “Locations Of Melbourne”- Footage of where certain locations are located in Melbourne.
* “The Look”- The best extra on the disc is this nearly 20 minute featurette that goes into detail about the production values, the makeup, the FX, the costumes, etc.

Summary: If you unapologetically love this genre of television programs, “Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries” will appeal to you. Also, if you are a fan of this show, it should be noted that second series is in the works.

May 14, 2013 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Blu-Ray review | Acorn Media, Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries Series 1 Blu-ray Review, Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries Series 2