I loved this series, only complaint is Fisk, too opinionated and rude to Dee, Imogen and Hayden. The inspector gives orders, but only wants to be involved when it's a high profile crime. I know that it's just a series, but the two of them got on my nerves.
16 Reviews
Interesting plots, decent acting but simplistic, almost-moronic dialog
msghall21 January 2020
I enjoyed this series (two seasons) and admired the crisp direction and technical aspects. The characters are well defined and the acting is serviceable. However, the dialog seems to be written at a grade-four level, lacking both grown-up wit and any sophistication or dynamics in the vocal interplay that distinguish these murder shows from one another. That's probably the result of the scripts being written solely to advance the plot; the characters sometimes act in a ridiculous manner, making logic-defying choices that no trained cop would make. But it is reservedly wonderful to see a series where the female plays Sherlock, solving crimes while her Watson partner scratches his head.
What I wouldn't give to have this series on DVD - I'd even settle for VHS!!!
kidboots4 November 2008
I just picked up "Deadline" by Jennifer Rowe at a garage sale and on the cover it proclaimed "Introducing "Murder Call"'s Senior Detective Tessa Vance. I was instantly transported back 10 years. Even when it was first on television the station mucked about with the times - often it was on at 9.30 or later. But I persevered. It was so unlike any police show before or since. It was very "noirish" - the sets were often suffused in amber, the venetians
made the shadows slanted, the rooms were often dark - exactly like a 1940s detective movie. Lucy Bell's beauty was in keeping with the theme - dressed in Armani suits (or was it Gucci??) she had a blonde loveliness that set her apart.
It was advertised "Detective Steve Hayden (Peter Mochrie) solves crime by the book but Detective Tessa Vance (Lucy Bell) uses intuition" and each episode usually ended in a voice over from Tessa putting all the clues together and then calling Steve (usually in the small hours of the morning) with her solutions - which were always right!! The gruff Det. Inspector Malcolm Thorne was played by Gary Day, who cut his teeth on "Homicide" one of Australia's first police drama series. There was also Geoff Morrell as Lance Fisk in forensics, Glenda Linscott as "Tootsie" Soames - she did the autopsies and Jennifer Kent as Dee Suzeraine, the police photographer. They were all great and perfect in their roles. In the tradition of "Midsomer Murders" there was never just one murder - the crazy killer always had several people to dispose of.
I wish I had this series on DVD - I'd even settle for VHS!!!
Highly Recommended.
made the shadows slanted, the rooms were often dark - exactly like a 1940s detective movie. Lucy Bell's beauty was in keeping with the theme - dressed in Armani suits (or was it Gucci??) she had a blonde loveliness that set her apart.
It was advertised "Detective Steve Hayden (Peter Mochrie) solves crime by the book but Detective Tessa Vance (Lucy Bell) uses intuition" and each episode usually ended in a voice over from Tessa putting all the clues together and then calling Steve (usually in the small hours of the morning) with her solutions - which were always right!! The gruff Det. Inspector Malcolm Thorne was played by Gary Day, who cut his teeth on "Homicide" one of Australia's first police drama series. There was also Geoff Morrell as Lance Fisk in forensics, Glenda Linscott as "Tootsie" Soames - she did the autopsies and Jennifer Kent as Dee Suzeraine, the police photographer. They were all great and perfect in their roles. In the tradition of "Midsomer Murders" there was never just one murder - the crazy killer always had several people to dispose of.
I wish I had this series on DVD - I'd even settle for VHS!!!
Highly Recommended.
A very well-made Aussie detective drama
skmcg_man30 October 2002
It's a shame Murder Call lasted for only two series. The lead actors were great, the stories enthralling, the locales and production values fantastic. And the theme song was very catchy!!! It was, at the time, the Nine Network's most-expensive program (if my memory serves me correctly).
Why it didn't last any longer than two years is beyond me. But then again, it was in a difficult time-slot on Tuesday nights. Ratings, schmatings!
Australians have a knack for producing quality dramas. Think, Flying Doctors, Police Rescue, Water Rats, A Country Practice, All Saints.
It's a pity our sitcoms aren't as well-made!
Why it didn't last any longer than two years is beyond me. But then again, it was in a difficult time-slot on Tuesday nights. Ratings, schmatings!
Australians have a knack for producing quality dramas. Think, Flying Doctors, Police Rescue, Water Rats, A Country Practice, All Saints.
It's a pity our sitcoms aren't as well-made!
Not a soap opera about police officers!
fugue-in-k5 July 2022
This show is an actual police procedural, not a soap opera starring cops, like _NYPD Blue_. Very occasionally, the case will have something to do with one of the characters, but it was infrequent enough that it did not seem contrived, the way it does on most shows. And even then, it often, although not always, is implied rather than explicitly stated. It's not considered necessary to parade each and every detail of the characters' personal lives, past and present, in front of the camera.
I did take a couple points off because the look of the show diminshed in the second season. It became less film noir and more American-network-TV-ish. As an example, the lead's going blonde took away the framing of her face, making the edge fade into the background and giving her a less intense and thoughtful look, less the intuitive detective and more a fashion plate. I found it very distracting, like watching the series in a funhouse mirror.
ON EDIT: About halfway through season 2 (as Prime Video reckons it), the plots start getting histrionic and stupid. Too many of the plots link directly to the running cast's lives, and the rest are just ridiculous. It does become a soap opera about police officers at that point. From "Cold Comfort" (S02E16) on, go find another real procedural, such as _Homicide_.
So I took away another point.
So that the reader may try to correct for my biases, I am an autistic, asexual American woman in my late fifties who watches a lot of British Commonwealth TV.
I did take a couple points off because the look of the show diminshed in the second season. It became less film noir and more American-network-TV-ish. As an example, the lead's going blonde took away the framing of her face, making the edge fade into the background and giving her a less intense and thoughtful look, less the intuitive detective and more a fashion plate. I found it very distracting, like watching the series in a funhouse mirror.
ON EDIT: About halfway through season 2 (as Prime Video reckons it), the plots start getting histrionic and stupid. Too many of the plots link directly to the running cast's lives, and the rest are just ridiculous. It does become a soap opera about police officers at that point. From "Cold Comfort" (S02E16) on, go find another real procedural, such as _Homicide_.
So I took away another point.
So that the reader may try to correct for my biases, I am an autistic, asexual American woman in my late fifties who watches a lot of British Commonwealth TV.
Here's a great season of murders!
spaceweathercats2 June 2020
As usual, an excellent series from Aussie. They out do the yanks every time. Great acting, very few slip ups, good filming, with good storylines. Same again please. It's a shame money had to cut the series. Money always speaks, unfortunately.
Great soundtrack
lahawk-7655418 February 2021
Pretty lackluster and predictable drama.
Pizzaowner30 May 2015
Warning: Spoilers
The first few episodes promised a tightly written and plausible police drama but halfway through the first season the laughably 1 dimensional characters and way too predictable plots began to weigh on the viewer. The female lead detective becomes the ONLY member of the team that seems to have any Sherlockian flashes of brilliance and soon they become a standard feature of her scenes. Sadly this is just another in a series of could have been police shows that failed because of stereotypical characters played too often by characterless actors. Not much more than chum for better shows. The only stand-out in the cast is red-headed photographer Dee who occasionally gets a chance to show her talents.
Great detective series!
bobsjoy-4656820 December 2019
I like everything about this show! The actors in this ensemble are natural in fulfilling their roles. I like the (sort of film noir) feel to it. And actually wish I could buy/download the quirky theme song!
Only sorry it was a short-lived series.
Utterly pathetic
bakerr514 January 2022
"Cue Lucy's Puzzled expression..."
feralladybug26 September 2010
I liked 'Murder Call'.It was a well crafted,workaday police procedural,except it had one flaw that drove me MAD.Each week Detective Tessa Vance (Lucy Bell) & Detective Steve Hayden(Peter Mochrie) would join forces to solve a grisly murder. Trouble was,the writers seemed to forget that the mark of any good TV police duo is balance- that each should have strengths and weaknesses that contribute to solving the case.Poor old Det.Steve NEVER got to solve the case.Instead of the two of them compiling the clues into a solid block of evidence,each case seemed to be solved by the same maddening plot device: in the final 10 minutes of the show Tessa would stare out to middle distance,have a flash of inspiration and then run to tell Steve of her brainstorm.I watched 2 series of this infuriating show and waited in vain for a single episode in which Steve would be the one to crack the case:he never did.The device got so bad,that every week at 10.20 pm(the show began at 9.30) I would say,"Only 10 minutes to go.Time for Lucy's puzzled expression." I knew it wasn't just me seeing this when a local comedy show parodied it for the very same reason.Clearly 'Murder Call' was in dire need of a good script editor to pick up on these things. A shame,as Mochrie,Bell & cast all gave charming,confident performances.It's too bad it's format wasn't re-tooled to iron out this issue.A good show killed by a lazy plot device.
Murder Call - Interesting Cases and Great Characters
jkuras201030 November 2014
I was so disappointed to see that Season 3 was the last Season. The characters and actors were terrific. This really could have gone somewhere, but like the reviewer before me stated, there needed to be an even distribution of strengths and weaknesses in the solving of the murders. They gave a good deal of character development, without getting too involved with their personal lives, which I appreciated. They kept the language clean and maintained integrity in each episode.
I loved the fact that in each episode, they began with a murder. The music for each beginning murder was really well scripted and the theme music of murder call was classy.
I will follow up on the real life actors and actresses to see what they are doing now. I really enjoyed their roles and the particular murders presented in each episode. They were creative and not copied from other movies or series, and I have seen plenty!
I will really miss this show.
Joyce
I loved the fact that in each episode, they began with a murder. The music for each beginning murder was really well scripted and the theme music of murder call was classy.
I will follow up on the real life actors and actresses to see what they are doing now. I really enjoyed their roles and the particular murders presented in each episode. They were creative and not copied from other movies or series, and I have seen plenty!
I will really miss this show.
Joyce
Seems Awkward.
Cilica4 December 2019
The opening credits images are skewed, angular or off a bit. The music, I'm sure, in the late '90s was decent.
Curiosity had me watching this series. I find the acting stilted, especially Detective Inspector, who appears to be making cameo appearances to tell the two detectives something of importance or hurry up and find the killer phrases-no stretching of his acting ability.
The storylines are decent in general terms but the follow-through is like in the 1950s - without protective gear to protect the crime scene that would have been adhered to even in the late 90s. I love the coroner who flies into a murder scene in a regular coat and clothing. Hmm, I don't think she uses gloves when touching the bodies. Additionally, the detectives have that standoffishness of the 1950s cinema.
The series seems to stilt the actor's abilities, thus coming off as poor acting. The characters are two-dimensional. The Character Det. Tessa Vance is the only one who pulls together the clues to solve the murder. Her partner Det. Steve Hayden is merely a helper when he should be her equal. Det. Sen. Serg. Lance Fisk is an arrogant character as he belittles the Const. Dee Suzeraine. This isn't fun to watch as it continues through the series.
Production wise the actors seem physically awkward like there isn't enough room for them in a scene. They appear to be tripping over each other. The other production quirk is the weird camera angles and close-ups. The film may be old, as it was in now 2023, but the scenes seem darker than they should be.
Curiosity had me watching this series. I find the acting stilted, especially Detective Inspector, who appears to be making cameo appearances to tell the two detectives something of importance or hurry up and find the killer phrases-no stretching of his acting ability.
The storylines are decent in general terms but the follow-through is like in the 1950s - without protective gear to protect the crime scene that would have been adhered to even in the late 90s. I love the coroner who flies into a murder scene in a regular coat and clothing. Hmm, I don't think she uses gloves when touching the bodies. Additionally, the detectives have that standoffishness of the 1950s cinema.
The series seems to stilt the actor's abilities, thus coming off as poor acting. The characters are two-dimensional. The Character Det. Tessa Vance is the only one who pulls together the clues to solve the murder. Her partner Det. Steve Hayden is merely a helper when he should be her equal. Det. Sen. Serg. Lance Fisk is an arrogant character as he belittles the Const. Dee Suzeraine. This isn't fun to watch as it continues through the series.
Production wise the actors seem physically awkward like there isn't enough room for them in a scene. They appear to be tripping over each other. The other production quirk is the weird camera angles and close-ups. The film may be old, as it was in now 2023, but the scenes seem darker than they should be.
AGREED
sherpro-133397 March 2024
Bakerr51 was spot on with his review. I've seen a lot of Australian TV recently and it's all SO BAD AND BORING. MURDER CALL follows the pattern with a touch of sexual innuendo, lots of mortuary shots, negative remarks about the police.
, and "witty" remarks.
Nobody moves normally as it all looks so staged.
I watched 3 episodes, then luckily fell asleep.
I don't know why we seem SO self conscious when we make these things, but I would be happier if we just relied on British tales, but I guess that's not going to happen.
I can't imagine anyone associated with this dross actually feeling proud of the product.
, and "witty" remarks.
Nobody moves normally as it all looks so staged.
I watched 3 episodes, then luckily fell asleep.
I don't know why we seem SO self conscious when we make these things, but I would be happier if we just relied on British tales, but I guess that's not going to happen.
I can't imagine anyone associated with this dross actually feeling proud of the product.
Very generic who done it
Bernie444431 December 2023
Murder Call is an Australian television series. (1997-2000.) Three seasons.
In each episode (approximately 56), each 45 minutes, the writer takes a simple ending and goes backward adding red herring after red herring. Then we are led by the nose in the direction (this way and that) needed to make us wonder along with the detectives if it could be this or that. When 40 minutes or so are up then the answer is spelled out as if we needed to know the few clues present and missing.
Passes time well and the acting is good. It can just get boring and you have to stretch to complete the second season.
In each episode (approximately 56), each 45 minutes, the writer takes a simple ending and goes backward adding red herring after red herring. Then we are led by the nose in the direction (this way and that) needed to make us wonder along with the detectives if it could be this or that. When 40 minutes or so are up then the answer is spelled out as if we needed to know the few clues present and missing.
Passes time well and the acting is good. It can just get boring and you have to stretch to complete the second season.
pretty prosaic- just came up on amazon prime
braquecubism24 October 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Prosaic as in plodding, lackluster, conventional, ordinary
some comments and remarks on characters and acting, in the high star ratings. Frankly, i couldn't get that far, couldn't comment on the acting. I have seen worse. the division head doesn't seem to like anyone, and always griping.
Mildly entertaining.
why is it - these lead detectives aren't married and never seem to date. I think police and fireman tend to be conventional in wanting family, spouses and children. These 2 are celibate. Often in shows like this, everyone is married, getting a divorce, getting remarried. these are ppl in their late 30s- 40s.
but what bothered me most- was the erroneous plot points.
not thru the 1st season yet- (ep#7) celebrity murderer. confesses at the end, really, gave it up so easily, helped by her agent, also a lawyer, they make a point of it. He helps after the fact in an elaborate cover-up, key plot point. She is charged; no word about murder cover-up conspiracy after the fact- felony. can't be that different in Australia.
(ep#8) someone is killed, antique "valuable cameos" worth $25K (australia$, at one time worth more than US$). motive money, death is manslaughter- I can tell you cameos are not that valuable- cameos are mostly carved shell (mostly Italy). The most valuable would be carved natural red coral. They'd be in silver or gold frames- can be 1"- 2-1/4". some portraits are wearing a necklace, can be a real diamond- 8-10 ct old cut. Worth something but Just not that valuable. How hard is it to get this right. supposed to be an inheritance went to one brother. It should have been a ring, brooch, bracelet, diamond and emerald, or ruby or sapphire- can be modest, not tiffany or cartier, to keep it around the 25K. Thru the whole show they keep mentioning the "valuable cameos", theft that led to a death. it's a lynch pin. Also the forensic scientist (C.S.I. guy) is a friend of the family. and allowed to continue working on the case. 1999 in Australia- this still couldn't be o.k.
this kind of sloppy plot points take the edge off.
Some ppl call this "intriguing" "captivating"- that's a stretch.
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