Amazon.com: Devotees of Dorothy L. Sayers's impeccable sleuth, Lord Peter Wimsey, will want to pour themselves "two large whiskeys" to toast the release of this 1974 miniseries based on one of Sayers's most popular novels. Ian Carmichael stars in his signature role as the future aristocratic detective, who, as a young soldier en route to the battlefield, becomes embroiled in "a very distressing story." Someone has stolen "a king's ransom" in uninsured emeralds from the estate of Sir Charles (Desmond Llewelyn, better known to James Bond fans as "Q") on the night of his son's wedding. No mystery here: In this case, the butler really did do it. But that's only the beginning in a puzzler that will span 20 years, when Wimsey inadvertently returns to the scene of the crime and steps into some "damn bad business" involving a recently discovered mutilated body. He discovers at the bottom of a well and in a church tower baffling clues that harken back to that fateful robbery and the still-missing jewels. The nine tailors, by the way, refers to nine church bells and the arcane tradition of change ringing. This entry in the Wimsey series offers the usual pleasures of splendid acting, colorful characters, and intriguing story. We also get to see how Bunter became Wimsey's faithful manservant. Suffice to say, The Nine Tailors will really ring your bell. --Donald Liebenson
One of the Greatest novels of the 20th century comes to TV The Nine Tailors is generally agreed to be Sayers' finest book. There isn't much romance, but it uses flashbacks to put Lord Peter Wimsey in the frame of the First World War and explain his relationship to Bunter, his faithful man servant. Ian Carmichael delivers one of the outstanding performances of his career. The other characters are real, believable, people who suffered through WWI and the 1930's.
The best Lord Peter yet Excellent escape quality, complexity, and characters. This is head and shoulders above the gritty tough-guy mysteries of the last half-century.
Jewel Thieves and Bellringers This is one of my favorite Wimsey mysteries. I thought this was excellent-the country and village setting is very well done. Plenty of suspense and an interesting plot, that focuses on a long ago theft that devastates a family. Bunter was very enjoyable. However, I thought Wimsey seemed much too middle aged in the 1917 scenes-he was supposedly a young soldier but he acts and looks like he is 50! I think the age issue needs to be straightened out. Otherwise, the drama was full of old fashioned charm. I watched this a few months ago but this is worth seeing twice.
Great British mystery but buyer beware I love this series a lot and enjoyed the first half of this particular mystery however there was a problem with the disc. This is a two disc set and while the second disc is correctly marked, it is actually a duplicate of the first disc! This is obviously a mistake in the factory but it is highly frustrating since it happened not once, but twice. It's quite frustrating to be left on a cliff hanger and then have the second half of the mystery be unavailable. By all means, buy this wonderful mystery but note that there are some defective sets floating around. I have ordered my third set and hope to finally see the ending. All I can say is, Buyer Beware, check both discs right away so you can return it promptly if you need to.
The Best of The Wimsey Mysteries The Nine Tailors is my favorite Wimsey mystery,and not surprisingly, it is my favorite of the Ian Carmichael series which were produced in the 1970s. Here we see Lord Peter's early life as he attends a wedding where an expensive emerald necklace goes missing. World War I interrupts before an investigation can begin, and Wimsey goes off to fight. We see him meet Bunter, later his faithful valet/assistant, and eventually wind up back in the vicinity of the spot where the necklace went missing. His interest piqued, Wimsey resumes the investigation just as some surprising events and mysterious strangers reminds everyone in the village of the robbery. The untangling of this mystery is vintage Dorothy L.Sayers, with twists and turns and lots of red herrings. You also get to learn a lot about church bell peals. Highly recommended.
Anything Goes Trivia
Megaton Man
Tailipoe
Trevor
