Murder, She Wrote: The Celtic Riddle
- TV Movie
- 2003
- 1h 28m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
1.4K
YOUR RATING
Jessica Fletcher (Dame Angela Lansbury) travels to Ireland, where she becomes involved in a clue-driven hunt for secret treasure.Jessica Fletcher (Dame Angela Lansbury) travels to Ireland, where she becomes involved in a clue-driven hunt for secret treasure.Jessica Fletcher (Dame Angela Lansbury) travels to Ireland, where she becomes involved in a clue-driven hunt for secret treasure.
- Director
- Writers
- Stars
William Morgan Sheppard
- Denny
- (as W. Morgan Sheppard)
Tim DeZarn
- Arresting Sergeant
- (as Tim deZarn)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Featured reviews
I was not a fan of the "Murder, She Wrote" TV series, but that was because I didn't know what I was missing, and I have enjoyed all the TV movies based on the series since it went off the air.
In Ireland, a group of people watches a video will. Jessica Fletcher is one of those witnessing the now-deceased man explaining how he wants his estate divided, because she made a difference in the man's life many years earlier. Certain members of the man's family do not get all that they feel entitled to, while some servants receive more than they probably should have. Jessica gets the Rose Cottage, though she doesn't really want it. That is just as well, because the man's will is challenged by certain members of the family. In addition, there is a mysterious treasure, and each person named in the will is given a sheet of paper with clues to finding the treasure.
While Jessica intends to return home quickly, she cannot leave after she witnesses a murder (or perhaps the aftermath of one). And someone warns her that she and others should watch out, because certain people cannot be trusted. In fact, Jessica is subjected to danger several times during the movie, but do you think the producers will let anything happen to the star? An additional complication: it appears someone has been embezzling from the family business.
Angela Lansbury makes Jessica charming, perceptive, intelligent, and quite likeable, as she has for years. No one else's performance really stands out, except for a storyteller who resembles a leprechaun. I was led to believe we were going to be sent in several different directions, but at no time did I ever feel I knew who the murderer might be (so I never was given false hope) until Jessica revealed his or her identity at the end. The process of seeing the mystery solved was quite enjoyable, though, as usual.
In Ireland, a group of people watches a video will. Jessica Fletcher is one of those witnessing the now-deceased man explaining how he wants his estate divided, because she made a difference in the man's life many years earlier. Certain members of the man's family do not get all that they feel entitled to, while some servants receive more than they probably should have. Jessica gets the Rose Cottage, though she doesn't really want it. That is just as well, because the man's will is challenged by certain members of the family. In addition, there is a mysterious treasure, and each person named in the will is given a sheet of paper with clues to finding the treasure.
While Jessica intends to return home quickly, she cannot leave after she witnesses a murder (or perhaps the aftermath of one). And someone warns her that she and others should watch out, because certain people cannot be trusted. In fact, Jessica is subjected to danger several times during the movie, but do you think the producers will let anything happen to the star? An additional complication: it appears someone has been embezzling from the family business.
Angela Lansbury makes Jessica charming, perceptive, intelligent, and quite likeable, as she has for years. No one else's performance really stands out, except for a storyteller who resembles a leprechaun. I was led to believe we were going to be sent in several different directions, but at no time did I ever feel I knew who the murderer might be (so I never was given false hope) until Jessica revealed his or her identity at the end. The process of seeing the mystery solved was quite enjoyable, though, as usual.
I love the show and I have really liked all the TV movies. The Celtic Riddle is my least favourite of the TV movies, but it is very enjoyable still. So what were its problems? Some scenes felt a little too padded out and I do have to agree some of the accents are rather shaky. Plus there is some uneven pacing. However, the story is a good one, it intrigues and the ending is suspenseful enough. What delighted me most though was the beautiful scenery and the photography is nice and lush. I also liked the music, it was melodious, beautiful and haunting and the end credits song was a lovely touch. The script is decent, the direction is good and the acting is pretty good- Angela Lansbury is wonderful as always while Fionnula Flannagan is beautiful and fiery. Nobody else stands out really, but they certainly aren't bad. Overall, enjoyable and definitely worth seeing for the scenery and Lansbury. 7/10 Bethany Cox
This is truly one of the greats as far as movies go And along with south by south west is my favourite Murder She Wrote Movie From the opening scene as camera soars of the beautiful Ireland landscape With the equally beautiful song second chance playing your hooked It's such an amazing movie you must watch it If you are a Murder She Wrote fan and haven't seen it watch it trust me If you are a MSW Fan and have watch it again If you have never experienced MSW please watch it and discover one of the greatest shows the world has produced
As for the movie Jessica Fletcher a crime writer travels to Ireland to attend A friends will reading only to be dragged into a clue driven hunt for her friends secret treasure
As for the movie Jessica Fletcher a crime writer travels to Ireland to attend A friends will reading only to be dragged into a clue driven hunt for her friends secret treasure
This TV movie was even better than the Murder She Wrote series itself. I would have thought that Angela Lansbury's acting abilities may have declined with her advanced age, but they seem to have gotten better. The plot as great, and all of the actors fit their roles perfectly.
The Celtic Riddle was a richly drawn mystery that captured all the best of the "Murder, She Wrote" episodes, with an additional twist at the end for good measure!
If this is the last MSW-it is a great story to go out on. Angela Lansbury is supreme as Jessica Fletcher, once more traveling to Ireland to hear the reading of a will of a man she only met once. The wonderful Peter Donat makes a cameo appearance and only adds to the spice of the story. One key of this very well written story is the theme of "second chances"-you will have to see this movie to find out more!
I hope this gets lots of reruns on CBS and USA-it is worth it!
If this is the last MSW-it is a great story to go out on. Angela Lansbury is supreme as Jessica Fletcher, once more traveling to Ireland to hear the reading of a will of a man she only met once. The wonderful Peter Donat makes a cameo appearance and only adds to the spice of the story. One key of this very well written story is the theme of "second chances"-you will have to see this movie to find out more!
I hope this gets lots of reruns on CBS and USA-it is worth it!
Did you know
- TriviaThis is the fourth and last "Murder, She Wrote" Movie of the Week that CBS/Leslie Moonves negotiated with Peter Shaw and Dame Angela Lansbury, "Corymore Productions", fulfilling the negotiated settlement cancelling the popular series in 1996. The original Cabot Cove (Mendocino, California series location) never was considered for use as a basis of a story plot in any of the projected four Movie of the Week projects. Peter and Angela wished to close the series occurring in Ireland. During the twelve years of the CBS series, many story plots and scenarios had been set in Ireland. Set in Ireland, second unit filming always was organized to film establishing exterior buildings, landscapes, an automobile driving on country lanes with matching vehicles filmed in conjunction of the movie's local Los Angeles exteriors. This last project gave an excuse for Angela and Peter to film the Ireland inserted establishing shots after filming was completed at Universal Studios. After these exterior Ireland street establishing insert shots were completed, the editors completed and delivered the finished two hour special to CBS. Filmed during 2002, the last "Murder, She Wrote" aired in 2003, after Peter Shaw's death in January 29, 2003. This movie was dedicated as a memorial to Peter Shaw Pullen.
- GoofsIt is correct that Jessica did not arrive at Rose Cottage with a raincoat but the raincoat can clearly be seen on the hook beside the door when she enters the cottage. It is obviously left there by someone else or even belongs to Breeta (who is already at the cottage before Jessica). Jessica merely borrows the raincoat before she departs from the cottage in search of Nora and therefore is not really a revealing mistake.
- Quotes
[last lines]
Jessica Fletcher: Here's to the memory of Eamon Byrne, who did indeed cherish his family, and who made the most of his second chance.
Paddy Whelan: Aye.
Paddy Whelan, Fiona Byrne, Margaret Byrne, Breeta Byrne: Eamon.
Jessica Fletcher: Eamon.
- Crazy creditsDedicated to the memory of Peter Shaw.
- ConnectionsFollows Murder, She Wrote (1984)
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- Also known as
- Mord och inga visor. Den keltiska gåtan
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