Ruth Rendell Mysteries

I love a good British mystery, especially of the pre-2000 variety. Hence I was excited when YouTube suggested I watch a few episodes of Ruth Rendell.

But boy, what a disappointment. What could be a reasonably entertaining (and even then, hardly more than that) 30-minute story gets shamelessly dragged out into four (4) episodes of 50 minutes each. Someone's getting married? Great; let's show the church; the guests arriving; the brides sashaying down the isle; the ceremony; the 'Just Married'; the couple driving off on their honeymoon. Etc. Etc. Never mind that it serves no purpose in the story whatsoever.

I can see how a lonely old person in the 1980s, with a total of two programs on their black-and-white telly, might give it a go. But for today's viewer, this show is the definition of boring.

Why no cast list for this very popular TV programme of the 90's. It should really have been called ' Wexford ' The star, Detective Chief Inspector Reg Wexford is played by George Baker a very experienced and accomplished UK actor. The programme is set in rural England, probably Hampshire. Wexford is a good old fashioned reliable solid British Policeman. We are not talking here about gruesome murders or car chases. We are talking about traditional detection methods and a Policemen who has integrity and the trust of the public. In truth Baker looks that he is old enough to retire for the whole of the series. He is assisted by a younger Inspector Burden ( Christopher Ravenscroft)and his attractive wife played by Diane Keen.

Whoever "Ruth Rendell" is, was an incompetent moron. The stories aren't compelling or mysterious or mysteries. They are trite, half developed, poorly acted ideas. George Baker and every other decent actor couldn't save the half-baked swill.

I'm amazed these ever got made. I genuinely am. They're garbage.

I can't believe I actually watched 2 episodes. I love Colin Firth, so I thought it might get better. It's not only terrible, it's a travesty. I'm sure Colin in embarrassed by it. I would be. Not only is the directing terrible, so is the acting! How anything so terrible makes it to the final screen. It has to be the worst I've ever seen. And the writing ... no one speaks like that. It makes me angry that something so beautifully visual could be that bad. Such potential. And for what? I'm moving on & will try to forget that I even considered watching the 3rd episode of this disaster. Sorry Colin! I think you're a great actor, but I guess we all have to have our failures. It's how we learn to move on!

Wow,I am amazed at how bad this series is I bought a dvd of this and was bored to death

This is supposed to be a murder series,but there is no urgency,no thrill, just old English people plodding along with their customs and traditions

I'm sure George baker is a decent actor, but he's miscast In this role, it would have suited someone tougher and smarter, not this old guy that was regularly seen taking naps and mumbling

The direction is terrible They show entire scenes that have nothing to do with the murder just to drag the time out

There was a long drawn out dinner party scene in which nothing remotely interesting happend, this went on for ages

I haven't never seen this on another TV series,it's shocking and an insult to viewers.