MovieChat Forums > A Nero Wolfe Mystery (2001) Discussion > The best adaptation of classic detective...

The best adaptation of classic detective fiction on American tv ever?

posted 16 years ago by pillfeast
14 replies | jump to latest

I think so. There have been good detective shows but when it comes to adapting a classic literary detective the Brits are miles ahead. A&E really nailed it here though: scripts, actors, sets, fidelity to the stories, all superb. It's a shame they couldn't pull off more than two seasons, especially considering how original series on cable channels started to blossom just a few years later.

I'm not gonna hang around with bogue millionaires no more no

[–] annetessler 16 years ago

In a word: Yes.

[–] stlpolarbear 16 years ago

I agree with you. Nero Wolfe episodes were something to look forward to and are still a joy to watch again on DVD.

[–] sammy-jomama 15 years ago

you said it! a top-notch show laid to rest

i could just scream when i think about how nero wolfe was cancelled and reality shows (of course i use that term loosely, because many of those 'shows' are anything but) just sprang up like weeds where it once stood! it's probably showing in reruns on bravo now... isn't that the channel that has the show called "brilliant but cancelled", which highlights all the wonderful tv shows that were unceremoniously put to broadcast pasture years ago?

i still mourn neros absence. i think i hear taps playing in the distance...
can't you hear it? "do - do - dooooo..."

"When there is no more room in hell, the dead will walk the earth" ~tv preacher, Dawn of The Dead

[–] ladynarana 15 years ago

I definitely enjoy this show - I just began watching it, although I've been a fan of the books for twenty-five years. (Maybe that's why I wouldn't watch it.) Some of the lines are lifted word for word out of the books, which I always enjoy. Many of the scenes are very, very faithful. But it's taken some getting used to - there are some definite differences from the way I've always envisioned. But, hey, that's me! And I'll definitely keep watching; maybe I'll buy. :)

[–] hachmom-1 15 years ago

The only show that ever came close was the late lamented Ellery Queen show starring a certain NW actors father....could there be a connection?

It is not our abilities that show who we truly are...it is our choices

[–] MsELLERYqueen2 12 years ago

I prefer "Ellery Queen" to "Nero Wolfe" for various reasons, starting with Jim Hutton as Ellery. Nero Wolfe is good, but I think I prefer the country house setting for murder mysteries.

~~
Jim Hutton: talented gorgeous hot hunk; adorable as ElleryQueen; SEXIEST ACTOR EVER

[–] lukefan 13 years ago

Yes I just discovered this a few months ago and wonder why A&E were stupid enough to pull the plug on it. So so sad.... And that Masterpiece Theater didn't originate it is also sad....instead of running endless Miss Marple and Poirot

[–] thecrashplace 13 years ago

I know. It seems like all the best shows are canceled early on.

[–] patrick-413 12 years ago

Yes. Very few equal it, none exceed it. And not even that many from the Brits either... possibly the Jeremy Brett Holmes and the Geraldine McEwan Miss Marples (I know that's more controversial). But I can't think of any others.

[–] 12 years ago

[deleted]

[–] MsELLERYqueen2 12 years ago

Lots of good mystery series out there. My favorite is Ellery Queen, thanks to Jim Hutton.

This one is quite good, but I don't understand why in the first season they always gave away key plot points by having Archie flirt with the ladies. Each time he did, the woman either ended up dead or she was the killer. I haven't seen the second season.

The music in these episodes is simply fantastic.

~~
Jim Hutton: talented gorgeous hot hunk; adorable as ElleryQueen; SEXIEST ACTOR EVER

[–] quirt1 12 years ago

Those "coincidences" don't happen as much in the 2nd season.
But Archie- being Archie, is almost always going to flirt with every young attractive woman he meets.

[–] MsELLERYqueen2 12 years ago

I have only read a few of the books, so I don't know if Archie did that in the books. I don't remember. I don't see anything wrong with him flirting with young attractive women. It only gets to be a problem when a pattern occurs, like the one I described. These are murder mysteries and we shouldn't be given away the endings in such a fashion.

By the way, regarding Archie...Tim Hutton is cute, but not nearly as sexy as his dearly departed father. In some faraway shots, he looks just like his dad. from close-up, I think he looks more like Ray Milland did in the forties! Bizarre...

I was able to get the first season from the library. They don't have the second season, so I'll track it down elsewhere eventually.

I'll say this much...this series has some of the best music I've ever heard in any mystery series!

~~
Jim Hutton: talented gorgeous hot hunk; adorable as ElleryQueen; SEXIEST ACTOR EVER

[–] DJFirth 10 years ago

The earlier hour long Poirot episodes were excellent as well, but I honestly prefer this Nero Wolfe Mystery series.