
Is A Very English Murder Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1974)
A classic detective story based on one of the best-loved Golden Age crime writers, Cyril Hare, novel "An English Murder" originally published in 1951. The setting of An English Mur...
✨ The Quick Verdict
If you are a fan of Mystery, TV Movie cinema, then A Very English Murder offers a standard experience that justifies its existence in the 1974 landscape.
👥 Target Audience
📔 Detailed Analysis
📖 The Core Premise
A Very English Murder stands as a 1974 entry that attempts to leave its mark on the Mystery, TV Movie landscape. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "A classic detective story based on one of the best-loved Golden Age crime writers, Cyril Hare, novel "An English Murder" originally published in 1951. The setting of An English Murder seems, at first, to be a very conventional one. A group of family and friends come together for Christmas at a country house, Warbeck Hall. The house is owned by Lord Warbeck, a dying and impoverished peer who wants to be among loved ones for what he thinks will be his last Christmas. The holiday decorations are up and snow is falling fast outside. The guests range from the Lord's difficult son to a visiting Czech historian. There is, of course, a faithful butler and his ambitious daughter. But when the murders begin, there is nothing at all conventional about them - or the manner of their detection..."
🎬 Performance & Direction
A movie's success often hinges on its execution. While not a career-best, Boris Ivanov's presence adds a necessary stability to the proceedings. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Mystery. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.
🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)
Is A Very English Murder worth your time? If you appreciate Mystery, TV Movie films that take risks, this is likely a must-watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.
🏆 Final Verdict
Ultimately, A Very English Murder is a mixed bag with some redeeming qualities.
With a runtime of 165 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.
Our recommendation: Watch on OTT.
⏳ Time Investment
At approximately 2.8 hours, the film requires a significant time commitment.