This excellent murder mystery by the author P. D. James, finds James' sleuth, Commander Adam Dalgleish, trying to solve a multi-murder at a remote theological seminary, ST. Anselm's, on the east coast of England. Dalgleish is played in this film by the fine British actor Martin Shaw, who appeared in The Scarlet Pimpernel with Richard E. Grant several years ago. He is terrific. You can practically see the clues swirling about in his head as he tries to figure out who killed whom. Another major actor in this film is Robert Hardy as Father Martin, who most viewers will remember as Siegfried Farnon in the old British TV series, "All Creatures Great and Small." Hardy adds class, realism and style to any production (such as Sense and Sensibility) and this is no exception. He is the most natural of actors, creating totally believable characters. There are many smaller plot tidbits, such as the fact that St. Anselm's is about to go under for lack of funds. It has a number of artworks which the archdeacon wants to get his hands on, including an altar piece by Rogier van der Wyden.....all of these plots and clues make for a very entertaining film. Why was Treeves upset the day he died? Was his death a murder, suicide or simply an accident? What about the gardener Eric, who makes love to his sister? They definitely have something to hide. Who amongst the fathers or teachers is abusing young students, and why is Raphael, the head boy, so sure that the archdeacon killed his wife? What about Emma, the female teacher? Can she break into the shell Adam has built around himself to dull the pain of the death of his wife and child in childbirth? Can Adam trust Emma? Can Adam trust Father Martin, who seemed so happy to see him but who holds a valuable papyrus scroll in a secret place and will not give it up until his death? The fact that the cliffs periodically fall into the sea and have already gobbled up several villages medieval villages whose church bells, they say, can be heard ringing during the lonely nights creates a sinister feeling. Race against Dalgleish and see if you can spot the clues and solve the murders first! Happy sleuthing!
Review of Death in Holy Orders
