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Lord Peter Wimsey: Clouds of Witness | 
 enlarge | Director: Hugh David
Actors: Ian Carmichael, George Coulouris, Rachel Herbert, Anthony Ainley, Merelina Kendall
Studio: Acorn Media
Category: Video
List Price: $59.99
Buy Used: $8.39
You Save: $51.60 (86%)
New (5) Used (13) from $8.39
Rating:  24 reviews
Sales Rank: 2022
Format: Box Set, Color, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Media: VHS Tape
Edition: Set of Four Videos
Number Of Items: 5
Running Time: 225 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.3 x 4.2 x 1.1
UPC: 054961333233
EAN: 0054961333233
ASIN: B00000INCJ
Theatrical Release Date: October 7, 1973
Release Date: September 11, 1999
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: ex library in good condition (us1)
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
Ah, there's nothing quite like settling in and getting cozy with a complicated British country-estate murder. In the BBC adaptation of Dorothy Sayers's detective novel, which also aired on PBS, the brilliant Lord Peter Wimsey brings his investigative talents to use close to home. His future brother-in-law is slain during a country retreat, and while there seems to be no shortage of possible suspects, the investigation quickly centers on Wimsey's brother Gerald, the Duke of Windsor. The five-tape adaptation takes its delicious time in delving deeper into the psyche of the unhappy circle around the deceased, as Wimsey tries to avert a full trial of a peer of the realm. Ian Carmichael shines as Wimsey, one of English detective fiction's most memorable heroes--more nimble than Miss Marple, more willful than Poirot, more upbeat than Adam Dalgliesh. All mystery fans need for a lovely and satisfying afternoon is this series and a couple of strong pots of tea. --Anne Hurley
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| Customer Reviews: Read 19 more reviews...
 Well done Lord Peter Wimsey June 20, 2007
B. Chandler (Arlington, Texas)
Dorothy L. Sayers writes many non-fiction books however among her best is the Lord Peter Wimsey series. I came to this series sort of though the back door. My first taste was the BBC productions with Petherbridge as Lord Peter that can now be found on DVD ASIN: B000062XDX. So I read all of Dorothy's books containing the relationship of Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane. Now it is time to go through the whole series.
Now I watch the one I missed in PBS. The first thing I notices was that Ian Carmichael talks much faster than Petherbridge. And all the people seem older. Of course Peter was supposed to be older when he met Harriet.
Lord Peter returns from Corsica. To find his older brother the Duke of Denver (David Langton) practically accused of murder. What is worse is his brother is not talking. So it is up to Peter to find out what happened and clear his brother.
In the process he puts his foot in it and practically gets all his relatives and friends accused. As with all Sayers' stories nothing is simple there are overlapping plots and foolish deeds, as if Peter can not figure them out. On the side we learn a little about English society and ballistics.
They took the time to put just about everything relevant from the book in to this production. There were a few exceptions but not worth bothering about. The production is complete enough that you do not have to read the book.
I am glad they finally made a DVD version. However the one I watched was the tape series and I swear just as soon as you turn it on the part (episode) is over and it is time for the next tape as the story moves very fast.
This item is worth purchasing as you will want to replay it often.
 A Very Enjoyable Lord Peter Story! July 22, 2005
Charthead (Iowa)
This was the first "Lord Peter Wimsey" story that I encountered and I enjoyed it a lot. Ian Carmichael is appealing as Wimsey and the supporting cast is also good. One thing I found funny is how often the characters are pouring themselves a drink -- morning, noon, night -- it doesn't matter. I look forward to watching more or the programs in the series.
"Gerry, you've killed him!" August 15, 2002
B. Chandler (Arlington, Texas)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
Lord Peter (Ian Carmichael) returns from Paris after reading that his older brother the Duke of Denver (David Langton) practically accused of murdering Capt. Dennis Cathcart (Anthony Ainley) the soon to be husband of Lady Mary Wimsey (Rachel Herbert), Peters sister. What is worse is his brother is not talking "They have to prove I did it." So it is up to Peter to find out what happened and clear his brother.
In the process he puts his foot in it and practically gets all his relatives and friends accused. As with all Sayers' stories nothing is simple there are overlapping plots and foolish deeds, as if Peter can not figure them out. On the side we learn a little about English society and ballistics.
They took the time to put just about everything relevant from the book in to this production. There were a few exceptions but not worth bothering about. The production is complete enough that you do not have to read the book.
Dorothy L. Sayers writes many non-fiction books however among her best is the Lord Peter Wimsey series. I came to this series sort of though the back door. My first taste was the BBC productions with Petherbridge as Lord Peter on video tape, which can now be found on DVD and as a set of Lord Peter stories. So I read all of Dorothy's books containing the relationship of Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane. Now it is time to go through the whole series.
Now that I watch the one I missed in PBS. The first thing I notices was that Ian Carmichael talks much faster than Petherbridge. And all the people seem older. Of course Peter was supposed to be older when he met Harriet.
I swear just as soon as you turn it on the part (episode) is over and it is time for the next DVD as the story moves very fast.
This item is worth purchasing as you will want to replay it often.
Marvelous! January 25, 2002
meiringen (the Midwest)
20 out of 20 found this review helpful
I am so glad to see this on DVD, and those who have it on VHS will be surprised--it looks fantastic! You'd never know this was done in 1972.The picture is crisp and clear, even when switching from video to film (a common practice in those days--film outdoors, and videotape indoors). The sound level is a bit low, but it is not a problem--turning up the volume does not distort the sound in any way. Lord Peter Wimsey (Ian Carmichael) must find the evidence to clear his older brother, Gerald, the Duke of Denver (David Langton) from the charge of murder. The victim is the fiance of Gerald and Peter's sister, Lady Mary Wimsey (Rachel Herbert). There is much conflicting testimony amongst the witnesses, and Lord Peter, ably assisted by his faithful manservant Bunter (Glyn Houston) and Inspector Parker (Mark Eden), does his best to save his brother. The script is well written, and well paced. We get to see a trial in the House of Lords, something most viewers have perhaps heard of, but never have witnessed. We see the Wimsey family (Lord Peter, the Dowager Duchess, Lady Mary, and the Duke of Denver), and their friends (the Arbuthnots and others), in an excellent adaptation of what life was life in the upper-crust families after World War I. The cast is first rate, as is the story and the quality of the DVD. There are extras (an interview with Ian Carmichael from September of 2000, information on Dorothy L.Sayers, a trivia quiz, and filmographies of the principal players) that make a nice addition to this slipcovered two-DVD set. Acorn Media has done a splendid job--highly recommended!
Clouds of Witness is an apt title for this mystery. August 16, 2001
Russell Fanelli (Longmeadow, MA USA)
9 out of 9 found this review helpful
Lord Peter Wimsey's brother Gerald, the Duke of Denver, has got himself into "a spot of bother." He is accused of killing Lady Mary Wimsey's fiance, a card cheat named Cathcart. All the evidence points to the Duke, but Lord Peter knows his brother is innocent and begins the slow process of gathering evidence to find the truth. In this complicated case Lord Peter must fly to America to interview a beautiful woman once involved with Cathcart. Lord Peter returns just in the nick of time to give evidence at the trial of his brother in the House of Lords. Several other adventures and narrow escapes from death or serious injury make this installment in the Lord Peter series more action oriented than the companion pieces now available in their entirety to the public.Clouds of Witness and all the Lord Peter Wimsey mysteries are wonderfully entertaining. The production values are consistently high and the acting is excellent, particularly Ian Carmichael as Lord Peter. For an adult, literate audience, this is entertainment at its best.
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