Ruth Rendell Mysteries (TV Series) A New Lease of Death: Part One (1991) User Reviews

An intriguing start, it's very different.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 8/10 · 31 May 2016]

Back to 1959, and Reg's first murder case, Rose Primero.

A New lease of Death is one of the most intriguing outings for Wexford and co, it's a very different story as it is paced so differently to the other cases for George Baker's Wexford. Naturally Baker and Ravenscroft do a fine job in their lead roles, but it's the supporting cast that add a great deal, Peter Egan is fantastic, seemingly cast against type he does a great job as the inquisitive vicar, Sharon Maughan is great too, but it's arguably Dorothy Tutin who steals the show, the acting is very natural throughout. The flashback sequences work very well, well filmed, and surprisingly authentic looking, they could have failed big time, but far from it.

It's nice to get a bit of history about Reg's character, this being his first case, he's almost secondary here, it concentrates heavily on the characters, and not on Reg and his family. I enjoy the scene where Reg blows his top with The Vicar.

Some of the Wexford entries are a little slow, but this one gets off to a very strong start, I enjoy the premise, like the characters, and the tone.

Very good start, 8/10.

Memory lane

[xmasdaybaby1966 · 8/10 · 6 March 2021]

A big cast and a different type of story from usual. The start of a new series and showing a change in the ti.es with few British made cars on display. The stories have improved since the show started filling the time better. It's the nostalgia that has gone. Peter Egan seems to take over the show from George Baker but a glimpse of Suzanna Hamilton's thigh gets the top marks even if she is showing less flesh than usual.

Good mystery but long

[ctyankee1 · 16 December 2018]

I watched this today. A cop that helped get a criminal hung years ago gets angry that Rev. Henry Archery wants to open up the case.

Rev. Archery has a son who is going to marry the daughter of Painter the killer of Mrs Primeror. Archer is trying to proof Painter is innocent. During the pastor's snooping he falls in love with a married woman. His wife is not in the story dead or alive but his behavior to get to the truth makes a pastor looks stupid. Also there is a scene of Painter being hung is in front of a large Cross as if Jesus gave the okay.

There are many people brought up about the killing. Two adopted sister and a son born to the dead woman were questioned. Mrs Primero was killed when she was 90 and the pastor bringing out reasons why people wanted her dead maybe for money.

I think there is a lot of over acting by Mrs Crilling the mother of the young girl that found the body. Mrs Crilling shouts and does a lot of nutty stuff. If you watch it be patient. The movie I saw was about 1:54:00 +long. You might find it on Youtube