What to say about this amazing series that puts the viewer in the middle of England before, during, and after World War II.
Michael Kitchen is the widowed Chief Inspector Foyle, an excellent police detective, too old to fight, who wants to get into government service as the country prepares for war. But he's needed at home because yes, even though it's wartime, people are still out murdering.
His team includes a man who lost his leg fighting overseas, Milner (Anthony Howell) and his pert young driver, Sam (Honeysuckle Weeks).
What is unique about this series is the atmosphere and attention to detail in the dialogue as well as in the production. These are people who deal with coupon books, rations, farms conscripted, boys fighting, debilitating injury, bombings, PTSD, lack of food, wealthy people annoyed by the war who leave the city to avoid bombs, profiteering, gas shortages - it's an amazing look at what England suffered. And what they thought - when and if the Americans entered the war, would they help England, for instance. And then the problems when the war is over, and we know England faced lots of those.
It's all the more fascinating because we still tend to glamorize WW II in our country.
Foyle's War completely transports you into this world.
The murder mysteries are fascinating and solved cleverly by the brilliant Foyle, an acute observer. His is not an easy character to warm up to - in fact, you never really do. He doesn't let loose with his emotions, and even when he does, all that happens is that his speech becomes clipped. He's very reserved, even when watching his only son go off to war, and he's a man of few words. But the pain is on his face when he looks at his wife's grave.
Foyle also doesn't hesitate to break the rules. He's loved and respected by his team and those in the station, though.
Michael Kitchen isn't good in this role - he's phenomenal, creating a multilayered character ruled by his brain and his respect for the law, but also with a heart he doesn't show.
As Sam, Honeysuckle Weeks is delightful, young, fast-talking, loyal, and helpful, and what's great is her life changes throughout the years, as does Milner's. Anthony Howell is wonderful as Milner, also with the British reserve as he tries to cope with his disability and, in the beginning, a wife who can't cope with it at all. His life also changes, and so does he.
Truly one of the best series I've ever seen. Don't miss it. The scripts are great, the mysteries are fantastic, and you'll find yourself wrapped up in the English world during very dark days.
Michael Kitchen is the widowed Chief Inspector Foyle, an excellent police detective, too old to fight, who wants to get into government service as the country prepares for war. But he's needed at home because yes, even though it's wartime, people are still out murdering.
His team includes a man who lost his leg fighting overseas, Milner (Anthony Howell) and his pert young driver, Sam (Honeysuckle Weeks).
What is unique about this series is the atmosphere and attention to detail in the dialogue as well as in the production. These are people who deal with coupon books, rations, farms conscripted, boys fighting, debilitating injury, bombings, PTSD, lack of food, wealthy people annoyed by the war who leave the city to avoid bombs, profiteering, gas shortages - it's an amazing look at what England suffered. And what they thought - when and if the Americans entered the war, would they help England, for instance. And then the problems when the war is over, and we know England faced lots of those.
It's all the more fascinating because we still tend to glamorize WW II in our country.
Foyle's War completely transports you into this world.
The murder mysteries are fascinating and solved cleverly by the brilliant Foyle, an acute observer. His is not an easy character to warm up to - in fact, you never really do. He doesn't let loose with his emotions, and even when he does, all that happens is that his speech becomes clipped. He's very reserved, even when watching his only son go off to war, and he's a man of few words. But the pain is on his face when he looks at his wife's grave.
Foyle also doesn't hesitate to break the rules. He's loved and respected by his team and those in the station, though.
Michael Kitchen isn't good in this role - he's phenomenal, creating a multilayered character ruled by his brain and his respect for the law, but also with a heart he doesn't show.
As Sam, Honeysuckle Weeks is delightful, young, fast-talking, loyal, and helpful, and what's great is her life changes throughout the years, as does Milner's. Anthony Howell is wonderful as Milner, also with the British reserve as he tries to cope with his disability and, in the beginning, a wife who can't cope with it at all. His life also changes, and so does he.
Truly one of the best series I've ever seen. Don't miss it. The scripts are great, the mysteries are fantastic, and you'll find yourself wrapped up in the English world during very dark days.