The opening episodes of each series have been good in recent years but this was sadly lacking. I watched the story as an omnibus and it didn't seem to get going.
A quality cast and exotic scenery but the story just seemed to have been lacking.
There just seemed to be no reason for the Chinese scenes (much of part 1).
Ruth Rendell Mysteries (TV Series)
The Speaker of Mandarin: Part One (1992)
User Reviews
Review this title2 Reviews
Reg is in China, downing Green tea like I do.
Sleepin_Dragon28 September 2020
Reg is sent to China as part of a team offering their help and wisdom. Reg is having vivid dreams and visions, of murder.
I really do like this story very much, I find it very engaging, we are introduced to some intriguing characters, and the setting really does add something. There are some very funny scenes, some amusing misunderstandings.
I applaud the production, so many dramas from the time were studio set, this has sheer authenticity, it looks amazing. Visually it's very appealing, I assume this would have been filmed in Hong Kong, but I may be wrong.
They do all they can to emphasise how tall Baker was, he towers over all of the Chinese locals. We get to see a bit of vulnerability from the great man, he's such a tough, robust man as a rule, it's nice that we see a different side of him.
It proves just how popular this show was, that they were able to film abroad, and get hold of Annette Crosbie, who in 1992 would have been very busy with the popular One foot in the Grave.
Part one, glorious. 9/10.
I really do like this story very much, I find it very engaging, we are introduced to some intriguing characters, and the setting really does add something. There are some very funny scenes, some amusing misunderstandings.
I applaud the production, so many dramas from the time were studio set, this has sheer authenticity, it looks amazing. Visually it's very appealing, I assume this would have been filmed in Hong Kong, but I may be wrong.
They do all they can to emphasise how tall Baker was, he towers over all of the Chinese locals. We get to see a bit of vulnerability from the great man, he's such a tough, robust man as a rule, it's nice that we see a different side of him.
It proves just how popular this show was, that they were able to film abroad, and get hold of Annette Crosbie, who in 1992 would have been very busy with the popular One foot in the Grave.
Part one, glorious. 9/10.
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