Foyle's War provides an in depth look at the trials and tribulations of wartime England, as the rationing and widespread shortages of men and materials create unique opportunities for crime.

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[During an air raid Foyle and his son rush for shelter.]
Foyle: What's that smell?
Andrew: Let's see.
[lights a match, only to realize that the "shelter" is full of drums of aviation fuel]
Foyle: Blow it out, would you?
[Andrew blows the match out]
Foyle: Why have you brought us to shelter in a fuel dump, Andrew?

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[Sam (Samantha) is driving DCS Foyle back to Hastings from a conference]
Foyle: You see, the trouble with war is committees, and the trouble with committees is people take half an hour to say what you or I could say in a couple of minutes.
Sam: Hmmm. I had an instructor at the M.T.C. We called him Chloroform because when he finished talking, there was nobody left awake.
Foyle: What did he teach?
Sam: Road safety.
Foyle: [pauses] Now you tell me!

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Unbeknown to most Americans, some of our tax money goes to sponsor TV Channels. These are usually referred to as PBS (Public Broadcasting System) stations. If you have not programmed them off your remote to make room for more shopping networks, you may notice them as you channel surf. They are usually recognizable because they have some people who don't look like normal good-looking clones, standing in front of a bank of phones while they hold some presumably-worthwhile program to ransom. They do this because their government charter does not allow normal advertising, despite the fact that the same government has reduced their original funding to a pittance. My comments on this situation are biting, scathing, ironic, laced with acid-drenched sarcasm, and beyond the scope of this review.

Every now and again, the local PBS station stops begging, and actually broadcasts some programs. Since the chronic lack of funds has virtually killed their ability to make TV programs of their own, they rely heavily on imported shows from other nations. Usually, they shop carefully, and only the best and brightest shows are imported. One of their major venues is a show called Mystery, which features some crime whodunit, often from Britain. One of the very best Mystery shows in recent years is a wartime drama called Foyle's War, which is now available on DVD.

Foyle's War is set in wartime England about 1940. Most of Europe has fallen under Nazi occupation, and the USA has yet to enter the war. Britain stands alone against the might of the German war machine, and the tiny island is in a state of siege. The RAF and the Luftwaffe are engaged in a life or death struggle for the skies. Bombs rain down on the helpless public, as they struggle to prepare for the seemingly inevitable invasion by the unstoppable Wehrmacht.

Hastings, a small town on the South Coast of England, is at the eye of the storm, separated from France by just a few fateful miles of water. The fact that it was the site of the last successful invasion back in 1066, has not escaped the locals. Detective Chief Superintendent Christopher Foyle (Michael Kitchen) of the Hastings Police would rather be fighting Hitler, but finds himself confronting criminals on the home front instead. Assisted by Sgt. Paul Milner (Anthony Howell), an ex-servicman with a prosthetic leg, and his WAC (Women's Army Core) driver Sam (Samantha) Stewart (Honeysuckle Weeks), he investigates lootings, thefts, war crimes, espionage and, of course, murders. He also must cope with his wife's recent death, and that his only child, son Andrew (Julian Ovenden), is now a fighter pilot fighting on the front line of what may well be a losing battle.

Created by writer Anthony Horowitz, Foyle's War provides an in depth look at the trials and tribulations of wartime England. Far from just providing a backdrop, the war permeates every aspect of society and of Foyle's life. The rationing and widespread shortages of everyday essentials create unique opportunities for crime. The massive mobilization of troops and the pervasive veil of secrecy, make information and people hard to find. The nightly air raids and blackouts hide all kinds of dark acts, many fueled by an increasing public paranoia and growing desperation. The need for fresh cannon fodder has also left the police force pitifully short of men. It is against this tide of crime and opportunity, that Foyle stands, a resolute but often lonely figure.

Michael Kitchen plays Foyle, a deeply silent man, with few words allowing his expressive face to carry the brunt of his often conflicting emotions. This is a masterful performance as he captures this intelligent, thoughtful, but melancholy soul. By contrast, Sam, his driver is bright, pretty, and optimistic. Honeysuckle Weeks does a wonderful job playing this inexperienced, but resourceful young lady. She is a constant joy, as her bravery and insights frequently prove useful. The relationship between her and Foyle develops from his unvoiced displeasure at finding out that his driver, Sam, is a girl, to one of almost parental affection later in the series, providing a never ending source of amusement.

While the acting and writing of Foyle's War make it outstanding, the real stars are the sets and props. I was born just after the war, and this is the England of my childhood. The accuracy and realism of every set, scene and nuance is beyond belief. I marvel as some detail reminds me of a time now lost, or I gasp at some aspect of security or rationing that I never knew or understood. Sometimes a scene will bring back memories of a car, a product, or just some bomb torn landscape of my youth. This all feels very real to me. While I have seen many movies of WWII conflicts, I don't think I have ever seen a more accurate depiction of the war at home. In some ways this show has given me a far better understanding of my parents, and the trials and tribulations that made them. A personal aspect, I know, but one for which I will always thank the shows producers.

While almost every aspect of Foyle's War is first rate, I do have one tiny quibble. The mysteries themselves are not that hard to solve. Since I have a background of watching and reading mysteries, it is hard to fool me for long. However, I do feel that less experienced mystery fans will find them suitably challenging, full of false leads, dead ends, and clever plot twists. And, even if I do know the villain early one, that does not in any way spoil the pleasure of watching Foyle's skilled stalking of his prey through the social turmoil and war torn landscape.

Sadly, the aforementioned cup rattling at the local PBS networks caused me to miss the broadcasts of Foyle's War until mid way through the second series. Luckily, I was able to hunt down the earlier episodes on DVD. This boxed set is four DVDs containing the first four televised 90 minute episodes: The German Woman, The White Feather, A Lesson in Murder, and Eagle Day. The quality of the DVD is as top notch as the show itself. The extras include interviews with series writer and creator Anthony Horowitz, which, since it was a rental, I did not have time to watch. Sorry.

I would rate these stories as 5 stars for every aspect of the writing, acting and production, with only the mystery quotient dropping to 4 stars. Even non mystery fans will enjoy this series for its fine period performances and sets. A wonderful job.

See also Foyle's War. Set 2. to find out more about how this exciting war turns out.

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Episode Guide.

Don't worry. As regular readers know, I never give anything significant away.

The German Woman.

In the series premier, the team of DCS Foyle, Sgt. Milner and Sam first come together, a relationship with which no-one is particularly happy. Xenophobia rules, when security forces incarcerate an old, poor couple because the husband is German, while the rich German wife of a local magistrate is left alone. This leaves plenty of suspects when she is gruesomely murdered.


The White Feather.

A local pub run by Margaret Ellis, an opinionated, domineering woman, becomes a haven for The Friday Club, a fascist, Nazi sympathetic group with many influential friends and contracts. When she is shot during a blackout, Foyle finds that everyone seems to have something to hide. This is a particularly satisfying episode, as Foyle finds a way to settle many scores.


A Lesson in Murder.

When a trap set for Gascoigne, a pompous overbearing magistrate, kills a young boy in his care instead, the line of potential murderers stretches around the block. This is a beautiful, intricate but intensely sad episode.


Eagle Day.

Eagle day refers to a particularly nasty series of bombing raids launched against England. The body of a man in a bombed out house after a raid is not unusual, but the knife buried in his chest brings it into Foyle's domain. Beset on all sides, by crime and personal tragedy, Foyle must sort through all the details before he can bring matters to a close.

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As a TV show, it is suitable for older children and adults.

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Foyle's War (2002)

Directed by:
Jeremy Silberston (The German Woman, The White Feather, and Eagle Day.)
David Thacker (A Lesson in Murder)

Written by Anthony Horowitz

Cast:
Michael Kitchen .... DCS Foyle
Anthony Howell .... Sgt. Paul Milner
Honeysuckle Weeks .... Samantha Stewart
Julian Ovenden .... Andrew Foyle

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Please check out some of my other entertainment reviews:

Dawn Of The Dead/Shaun Of The Dead ****
Dracula 2000/Tale of the Mummy **
Redwall - The Seige *****
At the Earth's Core *****
Godzilla ***
The Sword and The Dragon *
Man with the Screaming Brain ***
Nero Wolfe *****
My Man Godfrey *****
The 39 Steps *****

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Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 9 - 12