Campion - The Complete Second Season

Amazon.com

For the second season, the creators of the British mystery series Campion have cranked up the adventure and derring-do. The deceptively bookish 1930s sleuth Albert Campion (Peter Davison, also a former Doctor Who) and his formerly thuggish manservant Lugg (Brian Glover) dive into four two-part stories that start modestly and cleverly escalate to high suspense. In Sweet Danger, Campion must prove that a cheerful trio of siblings are the heirs to a tiny Balkan kingdom that's suddenly become politically significant; along the way are a mysterious millionaire and hints of witchcraft. Dancers in Mourning starts with petty vandalism at a musical comedy revue but builds to an awful bombing--even Campion, who normally views murder with relish, is disturbed. Flowers for the Judge is the least exotic of the lot--the entire story takes place in London as Campion investigates a murder in a publishing firm--but the tightly wound plot is possibly the best of the season. The final piece, Mystery Mile, features a hedge maze, a disappearing judge, quicksand, conjuring tricks gone awry, a rooftop rescue, and a nefarious criminal mastermind. Even better, these juicy set-ups are carried out with delightful skill; the writers and directors have tightened everything up, with utterly seductive results. Even when the conclusion feels a little lacking, getting there is great fun. The only complaint might be a shortage of the ever enjoyable Lugg, who plays too small of a role in a couple of the shows. --Bret Fetzer

Description

Behind his distinctive owlish glasses and gentle, deceptive naivete, Albert Campion conceals a passion for excitement and danger. Peter Davison (All Creatures Great and Small, Doctor Who) plays Margery Allingham's enigmatic sleuth, with Brian Glover as his loyal but slightly shady manservant in these classic mysteries set in the 1930's.

Customer Reviews:

British Class.......2007-06-15

Set in the late 20's, early thirties, these are stylish period pieces that are good mysteries to boot. Peter Davidson, the star sets the mood and makes you a happy accomplice on his sleuthing adventures. I was sad when it was over and there was no season three. Worth the price.

Not exactly what I was hoping for..........2007-04-11

I adored the first season of Campion, and have been eagerly awaiting this season, but was a bit disappointed in it. Yes, Peter Davison is just as superb as ever, in his role as the mischievous and charming Campion, as is Brian Glover, his wry and unusual manservant Lugg, but I think my main complaint is that the focus of this season is on action, and not so much characterization. Campion is still very much an enigma, and I was looking forward to getting to know him better, but that didn't really happen. I think this series would have definitely benefitted from another season more in line with the first one - with an emphasis on character, especially to include Amanda Fitton, who was enticingly introduced to us only to leave us in the lurch. Those who have read the books know that Campion will marry her eventually, but it would have been lovely to see that play out!
My other major complaint is that in two of the episodes - Dancers in Mourning and Flowers for the Judge - have been filmed in such a way that half the time the actors heads are cut off, and all we see are their mouths moving at the very top of the screen! I was relieved that Mystery Mile and Sweet Danger (definitely my favorite episodes of this season) do not share this defect.
This series is still very good. Even a disappointing Campion is better than much of what passes for "mystery" nowadays. If the first season made you crave more thrills and adventures, than you might very well prefer this season.

"Nothing sordid, vulgar, or plebian".......2006-01-19

"Albert Campion. Born 20 May 1900. Name known to be a pseudonym. Education: privileged. Embarked on adventurous career 1929. Justice neatly executed. Nothing sordid, vulgar, or plebian. Deserving cases preferred, police no object. Business address: 17 Bottle Street, Picadilly, London W1. Specialist in fairy stories."

I watched the Campion series on PBS' "Mystery!" when it first aired - I was only a young teenager, but as a life-long anglophile, not to mention sucker for 1930s mysteries, I was absolutely enamoured. I awaited a re-run of the series (to no avail), but finally we have Mr. Campion and friends on DVD! Peter Davison ("All Creatures Great and Small," "Dr. Who," "The Mrs. Bradley Mysteries") is pitch-perfect as upper-class sleuth Albert Campion, and Brian Glover is incomparable as his manservant/sidekick, Lugg. As with all BBC productions, all details of the series are impeccable, and the scenery is positively delicious. (The Dower House, not to mention the Manor, in "Mystery Mile" is particulary stunning.) Unlike many of his literary peers, Mr. Campion possesses great wit, and uses it disarmingly, even in the most stressful of situations (for instance, when the Bad Guys are practically upon him - hardly a time for anyone but our hero Campion to be cracking wise! -- most people just can't carry that sort of thing off, dontcha know...). Even that other high-tone sleuth Lord Peter Whimsey can't match Mr. Campion! Sit back, watch the adventures of Campion, and have a spot of fun!

Missing Diana............2005-01-17

Like her fellow detective fiction writer Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham developed a number of plots involving actors and/or artists. Allingham's debonaire sleuth has a different background, than Marsh's Allyn or Sayers' Wimsey. Although of somewhat noble birth, he was born on the `wrong side of the covers' and his name does not reflect his pedigree. The name Campion is taken from a small white field flower that he sometimes wore in his buttonhole.

Unfortunately, this and other bits of trivia are missing from these DVDs, because the BBC videos are missing `Mystery Theater' hostess Diana Rigg who introduced the stories to PBS viewers and related additional information about the background of the protagonist and his sidekick valet-sometimes house maid, the former house breaker and very talented Mr. Lugg.

The second season includes episodes that feature: 1/ the royal claims of the Pontsbright family to a newly formed country in the Balkans also of interest to the Nazis; 2/ Evil happenings involving dancers and death; 3/ Murder at a publishing house; 4/ Mobsters and Turkish smugglers.

Like Christie, Allingham excelled in the creation of plots and her characterization of Campion (played by Peter Davison -- `All Creatures Great and Small' and "At Home With the Braithwaites) and Lugg are well done. Some of the peripheral actors are also well developed and many of faces are familiar. The episode `Sweet Danger' introduces the woman Campion will eventually marry, but only those who read the series or saw the PBS presentation will know that bit of trivia.

Why must all good things come to an end?.......2005-01-14

The second series of Campion is every bit as wonderful as the first. Why, oh why were there only two?! Ah, well. We have eight amazing episodes to watch over and over on DVD (sixteen, I suppose, if you count each half as an episode), and there are certainly worse things. I should start off by mentioning that the order in which they've advertised the stories on the side of the box is WRONG. Wrong, wrong, wrong. As they were originally presented in 1990, "Dancers In Mourning" was the first, followed by "Flowers for the Judge," "Mystery Mile," and THEN "Sweet Danger". Do NOT watch "Sweet Danger" first -- it must be saved till last. Trust me!

Now, on to the episodes themselves: "Dancers In Mourning" is my personal favorite of the four, tied in my book with the first season's finale, "Death of a Ghost". It (Dancers In Mourning) deals with a series of murders that occur within a group of actors performing in a musical, and it keeps you on the edge of your seat till the very end. And there is a sort-of-romance for Campion on the side, to boot! This one is not to be missed.

The sophomore episode, "Flowers for the Judge," is the story of a murder that occurs at a publishing company. Although parts of the story seem just a tad contrived (and here I am referring solely to the jury process in the court scene - horrific!), it's a good story. Plus it has a terrific ending.

Number three, "Mystery Mile" (the name of a seaside town, as it turns out) is another captivating tale. Its plot is complex and I hesitate to give too much away anyway, so I'll leave it ambiguous and intriguing by saying merely that it involves a magician; quicksand; visiting "Americans" (read: good British actors employing atrocious accents and almost managing to make themselves look bad, and one of whom incidentally is a doppelganger for Topher Grace). And, best of all, there is Campion in a sailor hat. (*Homer Simpson-esque gurgling noise*)

Finally, there is "Sweet Danger." "Sweet Danger," which leaves so much to be desired -- not because the episode is bad, quite the opposite; but because it breaks off Campion's story just where you MUST KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT!!! (Footnote for those who have seen it: I was later informed that the character of Amanda Fitton was supposed to be a teenager. Who knew?)

And last but not least, I feel it is my duty to review Peter Davison. Ahh, Peter Davison...what can one say? He manages somehow to be even lovelier and more charming than in the first season, and this is no mean feat. This man has the funniest, sweetest smile on earth. If for no other reason, watch this series for that!

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