Inspector Morse (TV Series) Absolute Conviction (1992) User Reviews

Insider dealing

[hgallon · 8/10 · 4 July 2007]

One of the pleasures of viewing episodes of "Morse" years after their first release, is seeing actors and actresses who are now world-famous, in roles sometimes very different from those for which they are now best known.

In this episode, the first two suspects in the murder of their former business partner (played by Tony Steedman) are played by Richard Wilson (who was famous as grumpy Victor Meldrew in "One Foot in the Grave") and Sean Bean. In prison alongside them is a wrongfully convicted former schoolteacher played by Jim Broadbent. Sue Johnston played Sean Bean's screen wife.

This particular episode is perhaps frustrating for viewers interested in the intellectual development of an investigation, as the true murderer is revealed only in the last minutes by a flash of information only fleetingly revealed to the viewer beforehand. Nevertheless, it is interesting to watch Morse and Lewis each doggedly pursuing their own lines of enquiry. At the same time they are dealing with a brash, high-flying Detective Sergeant, and eventually bring him to earth with a bump, each in their own fashion.

A Solid Inspector Morse Mystery with a Stellar Cast

[gpeevers · 7/10 · 27 August 2009]

A trio of real estate financiers who have defrauded their investors of millions of Pounds are serving a 2 year sentence in a minimum security prison that is intended as a model for humane treatment of prisoners, but all that is upset when one of trio is murdered. In good mystery fashion we have any number of suspects with both motive and opportunity. There is tension between the police and the determined female prison governor (Diana Quick) as well as between the investigators as Morse (John Thaw) and Lewis (Kevin Whately) are joined by an ambitious young DS Cheetham (Steven Mackintosh) Not surprisingly for those familiar with the series we also find that Morse is attracted to the prison governor. In the course of the investigation all sorts of secrets are dredged up as almost has everyone has something to hide but which of these was the impetus for murder. With the standard 100 minute running time of "Inspector Morse" we have the opportunity to let everything play out appropriately and actually develop a mystery.

In addition to a well crafted mystery and a number of tense relationships we get a stellar cast which includes Sean Bean as the youngest of the three investment bankers and Jim Broadbent as a fellow prisoner whose case Morse was involved with indirectly 16 years earlier. In addition to these two big names who hadn't yet reached the level of popularity or success they would achieve we have a number of other recognizable faces including; Robert Pugh, Suzanna Hamilton, Richard Wilson and Jonathan Firth (brother of Colin) in addition to aforementioned and also highly recognizable Diana Quick and Steven Mackintosh.

This episode of "Inspector Morse" was directed by Antonia Bird who in addition to an extensive resume in British television also directed the films "Priest" and "Ravenous".

Minimum Security Bad Guys

[Hitchcoc · 8/10 · 5 March 2018]

It's hard to imaging being thrown in jail for more than a decade for a crime one didn't commit. That's at the center of things here. This episode finds a violent murder committed in a minimum security prison. The inmates aren't the usual thugs and felons, but those engaged in some form of corporate fraud or dirty dealings. Their tentacles reach out beyond the prison walls (the prison is a kind of experiment where a great deal of freedom is allowed). There are several women who are at the core of this. The prison supervisor is an attractive young woman who has made this sort of incarceration her be all and end all When someone is murdered, it is supposedly out of character for this population. If there is a theme, it is that money often speaks more loudly that other motivations. Excellent cast and interesting web of intrigue.

Now that is what you call a cast!

[Sleepin_Dragon · 10/10 · 27 April 2017]

The Sixth Series of Morse was a very definite purple patch, some truly great, memorable episodes. Absolute Conviction shines very brightly, it's a fantastic story, three members of a fraudulent business all under the same Prison roof, and one of them is murdered. The story is interesting, intelligent, and keeps you guessing right up to the very end. The conclusion helps us realise that Morse isn't infallible, that the great Detective can, on occasion get something wrong, and that error has consequences, it makes this episode very unique.

The main reason for watching Absolute Conviction though comes from the multitude of talent in it. Sean Bean, Richard Wilson, Jim Broadbent, Robert Pugh, Diana Quick, Sue Johnston and even Phil Davies, a cast that any production would happily assemble. The acting is of course exemplary, but I have to say it is the magic of Jim Broadbent that dazzles throughout, he is incredible.

Diana Quick also does a good job as the glamorous head of Farnleigh Prison, I sometimes found the relationship between Morse and the obligatory love interest a little absurd, but the complex relationship between Hilary Stephens and Morse is totally believable, but perhaps that's just down to the quality of Diana Quick.

All in all there is nothing to fault with this episode, one of the best. 10/10

Well crafted and intelligent- my favourite episode of the 6th series.

[TheLittleSongbird · 10/10 · 7 July 2009]

Absolute Conviction's main merits are the wonderful script, the cast and the music. Also the episode is beautifully shot, and a well-constructed plot, taking place mainly in a prison. John Thaw and Kevin Whately light up the screen in the title roles, and Diana Quick and Richard Wilson also impress. I loved the contributions also from big stars, Sean Bean, Oscar-winner Jim Broadbent and Phil Davis (Smallweed in Bleak House). The script is wonderful, and we can see Morse's hatred for Bailey and his infatuation for Hilary. I loved the excerpts of Schubert's Death of the Maiden quartet, a truly magnificent piece with the most beautiful slow movement to any chamber work, and Bach's Chorale that is very haunting and appropriate for the scenes it was featured in. Overall, a wonderful episode, 10/10. Bethany Cox

Superb

[kindofblue-78221 · 10/10 · 18 March 2022]

There's so much to this episode. Don't ask me how they fit everything in to less than 2 hours.

The different strands all come together wonderfully.

Season 6 is one of the best overall series and this story more than fits in with the high quality menu on offer.

One of the most satisfying and best written episodes of the whole series.

Conflicting Convictions

[ygwerin1 · 8/10 · 28 August 2020]

An inmate Lawrence Cryer's death at Farnley an open prison, is open to question because of the circumstances involved.

Cryer had been arrested for fraud involving several hundred people, and s substantial amount of money.

Farnley is considered as rather an experiment in the prison system due to the, women Governor Hilary Stephens reputation for running what is perceived as a 'Liberal Nick'.

When Morse sees Governor Stephens photo his first reaction belies the man that of her 'good looks', his expression is said with a certain surprise if not exactly disdain.

Morse and Lewis has another Detective Sergeant Cheetham inexplicably in-tow, Chief Superintendent Strange knows his family and bids them well.

Cheetham seems to operating to his own personal agenda only reporting matters to Morse when it suits his 'Interests', and generally after the event expecting he can simply present Morse with matters as a fait accompli.

Chief DI Morse and Farnley Governor Stephens wind up at loggerheads as Morse complains that Farnley's regime is hindering his investigation, while Stephens claims that the opposite is true.

Morse as always assumes his mind and ideas are the only ones worth considering and he continues, to both take Lewis for granted and to ignore and discount anything that he suggests.

Chief DI Morse may have a great mind and actually be a great Detective, but he is also self opinionated and frankly myopic and downright bloodyminded.

Morse in the clink

[grantss · 8/10 · 25 September 2022]

A rather original setting as Morse and Lewis investigate the murder of a prison inmate. A few suspects but nobody to pin it to.

Adding to proceedings in this episode Morse and Lewis have the services of DS Cheetham, a rather resourceful but overly look-at-me sort of policeman. His overzealousness clearly grates on Lewis, especially as Lewis views Cheetham as a rival for future promotions and roles. This makes for some amusing byplay between the two.

Not brilliant though. Like many Morse episodes the solution comes out of the blue and while he's convinced the perpetrator is someone else. Does make the intrigue a bit pointless.