Father Brown (TV Series) The Red Death (2022) User Reviews

Most of the gang unite for a lavish series finale.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 7/10 · 17 July 2022]

Montague is host to a ball wishing in the new year, guest of honour is distinguished MP Sir Charles, Father Brown and co investigate a tragic death.

I wonder if those behind the scenes were expecting this to be the final episode of all, it has that final feel. Everyone has assembled for this hurrah, Sid, Bunty, Lady Felicia even Flambeau.

On the plus side, it looks great, I loved the costumes, the setting, for afternoon TV this looked pretty lavish. The killer's costume in particular looked striking, even had a horror vibe to it, you could picture that in a gory slasher film.

Maybe it was a little bit of a Mug's eyeful, with so much focus on the characters, I felt the story lacked a little something. It was good, it wasn't a wow. So much build up, all the regulars, the stage was set, the story didn't wow me.

Little Britain had Margaret, Hi de Hi had Miss Cathcart, and Father Brown had Monty, characters we all knew, but never saw, I'm not sure how I feel about meeting Monty, I'm not too sure he met the incredibly high expectations, not sure anyone could have.

Hopefully series ten will land.

7/10.

Light hearted drama

[haroldj-08183 · 8/10 · 21 January 2022]

This series is not to be taken too seriously, I found it very enjoyable and hope the cast did too.

Mark Williams does a great job of the role as Father Brown and, no matter how preposterous the plot lines and the overacting of some, it is well worth watching.

I was amused by the big storm in this episode which prevented access to the estate yet not a sign of it in the exterior shots - no snow, no wind, nothing at all. Just another need for the suspension of disbelief in this fun series. I sincerely hope more is made.

Killer with a red mask

[coltras35 · 8/10 · 18 April 2022]

Lady Felicia's lavish New Year ball is ruined when a VIP is murdered. A masked killer is at large. Luckily, Father Brown is close to hand, so is the inspector but he's just a typical lard-brained character, and my favourite one. He's hilarious, especially when he looks worried that the sergeant wants to study to become an inspector; most likely worried he will do a better job!

As for the story, there's a killer in red mask, a garrotted victim and typically the victim has plenty of enemies so it could be anyone. This is a well-scripted and fun episode.

Enjoyable but overstuffed episode

[acfurst · 8/10 · 6 June 2022]

This is a nice end for this group of episodes (apparently called a "series" in the UK and a "season" in the US). What's best about it is that it has all of the recent Father Brown "regulars" as a sort of re-union episode. Also it has attractive vintage cars and impressive estates, which has always been part of the appeal of the show.

The only thing wrong with this episode is that there is too much going on, too many characters and sub-plots for a 42-44 minute drama. As such, it's hard to get a grasp of what's going on, and virtually impossible for the viewer to predict the outcome. They tell you what happened, but that's not as interesting as leaving clues to let the viewer have a guess.

If they'd had a full hour to flesh out the ideas in this episode, it likely would have worked a lot better. There should have been more regarding the young "Lord somebody" (the guy with the long hair) and his possible motivation as a suspect, as well as more development regarding the big-shot potential PM and the people around him (such as Ruth, the doctor, and the big-shot's wife). They also might have developed a bit more between Flambeau and Lady what's-her-name. Maybe also more between the inspector and Goodfellow.

As it stands, there's a lot of confusion in the episode. I realize they had less than 45 minutes to fit in a complicated set of plots and sub-plots, so I'm only docking it two stars for that. Possibly they could have made it a 2-part episode, but I don't think they've ever done that with Father Brown.

The Scooby Gang reunites one last time

[safenoe · 8/10 · 6 October 2023]

Lord 'Monty' Montague is like the Jenny Piccalo of Father Brown, often mentioned but no bodily appearance, until The Red Death. Alexander Hanson plays Monty and hopefully he can make more appearances somehow.

There's a lot going on in this episode, with a lecherous Defense Minister who gets his comeuppance big time because of his lecherous ways and this was before the me 2 movement.

The final scene was especially poignant, with the whole Scooby Gang arm-in-arm wishing in the new year with fireworks. But we know that in the next season we see the departure of a few of the regulars. One wonders if Father Brown will be the same again.

The Red Death

[Prismark10 · 6/10 · 5 April 2022]

It's like the old team being reunited. Lady Felicia, Bunty, Sid, and Mrs McCarthy all feature.

There is even a small appearance from Flambeau.

There is a New Years Eve ball thrown by Lord Montague, the husband of Lady Felicia.

Guest of honour is Sir Charles Hakeworth, regarded as a successor to Winston Churchill as Prime Minister.

However Hakeworth receives a death threat. Later he is killed by a red masked figure seen running away.

Maybe there was something in his past that made Hakeworth a target.

Father Brown finds himself outsmarting Inspector Mallory once again. A decent end to the series bit it should had been better.

There was an odd scene where Hakeworth could not drive back to London as the roads were snowed in. The episode was clearly filmed in summer and there was nothing wintery about the weather at all. Not even CGI snow.

Mallory did not need to ask everyone to take off their masks to corner one of the culprits, who stood out.

More unbelievable was Lady Felicia seriously wanting to run away to Flambeau.

Great cast, poor writing

[drmique · 3/10 · 29 May 2022]

This season scripts have been terrible. The plot are so poorly constructed that they have to insert PARAGRAPHS of dialogue among characters to explain (not show) what is going on to move the plot along. It is as they found gaping holes in the plot and had to insert scenes to repair it. Viewing these a "light hearted" is a kindness. The poor actors, as professionals, will endure... as will us, the poor fans.

Umm

[sja-awesome · 4/10 · 20 May 2023]

Sid continues to show up looking disgusting.. Homeless..scruffy.. unkempt.. Everyone acts like this is normal. He's working for a rich lady and her husband,a fancy ball, nobile guests and he's just there dancing with ladies looking homeless lmao. Why didn't they shave him?? My god. It's so stupid. The lady who "doesn't want to be oggled" has most of her breasts out.. Sir Charles should of been cast as lord Montague. He's always been painted as a cruel,uncaring, arrogant neglectful person. They picked such a tame fuddy duddy guy. Everytime they refer to the murderer they say "he" lol. Spoilers! Everyone acts so robot and emotionless with the murder and deaths. Very odd. Poor writing. Oh that guys dead? Ya so these cakes are great. Oh my adopted father is dead? I'll need my medical tools! Lmao what?? Lady Felicia is the only one who reacts to stuff like a normal human would lol. The lady who was suppose to be asleep and got woken up by screams.. Fully dressed, perfect,makeup, jewellery.. Just like she was earlier.. Zero emotion about her dead husband.. Why was she sleeping?? The party is still going on lol. The ending wasnt as bad as i thought but still.. What's happened to this show??

The Bunty Show

[Johnny_West · 1/10 · 22 March 2022]

Father Brown is barely in this episode, except as a sidekick like Lady Felicia, Sid, and Mrs. McCarthy. After nine seasons, 1952 is about to end on New Year's Eve at the mansion of a candidate for Prime Minister. Lady Felicia (Nancy Carroll) should really be the top dog in this episode, but Bunty is the one who knows all the people that are the murder suspects.

Like most episodes where Bunty is the star, this one is ponderous. Sad to see that the original main cast of Father Brown, Mrs. McCarthy, Sid, and Lady Felicia are just background characters now. I have no idea why Bunty (Emer Kenny) has taken over Father Brown, but it has been dreadful the past few seasons, and it is just getting worse.