Search - Hetty Wainthropp Investigates - The Complete First Season on DVD

Hetty or Hyacinth, she's fabulous....

Dianne Foster | USA | 10/07/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What's not to like about Hetty Wainthropp? While it's true the sleuthing jobs that come her way concern less than complex matters (on the surface at least), like Georges Simeon, she is seeking the psychological answer or the rationale for the behavior behind the `crimes' she investigates. Another reviewer suggested this series was "boring", but I say it is anything but. Perhaps that reviewer is a very young person, who does not yet understand, as Eliza Bennett's father noted long ago, that other people ARE what make life interesting.

Oh don't get me wrong, I am as big a fan of Miss Marple as the next mystery lover, and Hetty is not untangling Marple-type mysteries, even though like Marple she often finds herself investigating the local behavior in a village in England. Rather, Hetty is exploring the interconnections of people's lives in order to ascertain just how and why someone did something despicable to someone else.

We join Hetty in the first episode, the day she turns 60. Feeling the financial pinch brought about when her husband Robert was made redundant (the British phrase for `layed off') and emotionally flat, Hetty decides she needs to do something to restart her life. Like many older women in her predicament, Hetty decides to take a job -- as the local post mistress, where she encounters a young lad (Dominic Monaghan from the Rings films) with sticky fingers. She apprehends the thief, but rather than turn him in to the authorities, she gets an idea. He is broke and she is broke. Suppose she uses his obvious talents to create her own investigative business?

This DVD includes only the episodes from the first season. I have watched them all on PBS --many of them several times. I found these stories entertaining, and somewhat intriguing the first time and appreciated them more for their local color and character development the second and third time. I bought the DVDs because I intend to watch them again and again. One of the advantages of getting older is that you tend to forget some things like plot and story line, and can experience tv episodes as new again. These are definitely films for `old dears' like me. I can hardly wait until they release the other series. A great way to help your grandmother improve her English.

PS. You gotta love Patricia Routledge. She is Wainthropp instead of Winthrop and Bouquet instead of Bucket."

A Series Only The British Could Get Away With!

Jeannette DuPree | South Carolina | 10/03/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The British are known for their dry wit and off-the-wall humor. This series is no exception. Some of the dialogue is so hilarious and would never work if Americans had attempted this show.
Hetty is a newly-turned 60 year old that decides she wants to count in society. So what to do? Start a detective agency! That's what any other sane person would do, no?
She employs a would be shoplifter as her sidekick ("Sexton Blake had his Tinkerbell and so shall I!" 'Tinkerbell was a FAIRY!' "Be that as it may, you're elected!" ~Classic Hetty and Geoffrey dialogue); a 17 year old boy named Geoffrey, played by 18 year old Dominic Monaghan.
The first season of "Hetty" includes 6 episodes (1st ep is 1 hour and 13 mins, all other eps are a little bit short of 50 minutes), an interview with Patricia Routledge (24 mins and 6 secs) that was kinda boring as the interviewer asked pretty dull and uninsightful questions. If you want to hear about Dom, you need only watch the first 5 minutes or so. Also included is a smallish photo gallery.
The final episode leaves us wanting more "Hetty", and hopefully with the success of the sales of this Season (along with Dom's success on his new show on ABC, "LOST") there will be all 4 seasons made available to us.
So, if you are like me and are buying this for Dom's involvement, never fear. He's in almost every scene. It is well worth the cost. But you may find that you would have liked this show regardless, as it is a brilliant series.
I highly recommend this series to everyone! (Although not for children as there are some scenes and language innapropriate for them.)
Jeannette
ETA: Acording to an Acorn Media Sales Rep, The Second Series will be out August 9th! (Changed from the 16th) Of course, date is subject to change, but there you have it!"

Hetty is Ab-Fab

Darling Darlene | AZ, USA (but moving a lot!) | 07/15/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was curious about this series. I had only heard about it and had never seen a broadcast. So I was skeptical. But I had enjoyed the Mrs. Bradley Mysteries and others who had enjoyed those had suggested these. I am so glad I took the plunge. Hetty is an absolutely fabulous character who refuses to take a back seat at the age of 60. Determined to "matter," she forges ahead and finds herself in the middle of a mystery. Before she knows it, she's taking on investigations as a profession, with a young man whom she turns from a latent shoplifter into a crack investigator's partner. Patricia Routeledge is thoroughly believable and adorable in the role. I am looking forward to the next set of DVD's on this series. I must say, it's refreshing to see a late 20th Century mystery (as opposed to the usual Golden Age era) that is more logic puzzle than CSI. These days there's far too much forensics and far too little charm!"

Hetty Wainthroop Investigates, Series 1 & 2

Don A. Martin | Merced, CA | 08/30/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Hetty Wainthroop Series is a very special treat for my Wife and I. We lived in England for six years with the United States Air Force and truly appreciate English productions. Patricia Routledge is an outstanding actress and this particular series truly brings out the best in her career----a great investment!"