In the Frame

Starring:Ian McShane, Kate McKenzie, Karl Hayden, Dearbhla Molloy, Niall Toibin, Conor Mullen, David Herlihy, Stephen Brennan, John Keegan, Oliver Maguire, Pat Leavy, Patrick Macnee, Geraldine Fitzgerald (II), Jim Reid, Deirdre O'Kane, Heath Lamberts, Lloyd Bochner, Kenneth Welsh
Director: Deirdre Friel, Harvey Hart, Wigbert Wicker
Studio: Lance Entertainment
Product Type: DVD

Product Description

A former jockey, Dick Francis turned to writing mysteries after his career at the track was over, setting most of them in the world that he knew so well, that of high stakes racing. This program contains full length features, all of which feature Jockey Club investigator David Cleveland, protagonist of the novel SLAYRIDE, who is played with aplomb by Ian McShane. Contains the films TWICE SHY, BLOOD SPORT, and IN THE FRAME.

System Requirements:
Running Time: 287 minutes

Format: DVD MOVIE

Customer Reviews:

Classic 80's TV.......2007-04-17

OK, it's not high art, but it is entertaining. Ian McShane fans get to see him in a lighter comedy role. Fun to watch. The storied get better as the series progresses.

All of it.......2007-04-02

If you are having trouble sleeping, I suggest this DVD as a cure.

Dick Francis on film.......2007-03-20

I saw these back when they were broadcast on MYSYTERY!. I loved them then and still do. The quality then was superb and the actors were great. And the horses aren't so bad either!

Celluloid Dick Francis Persona.......2007-01-13

Four stars may be a little generous, but these are good entertainment. While a close inspection of the novels' main characters over the course of these three stories would be unlikely to yield serio-comic actor Ian McShane, exactly, you need to remember that this is the movies. The silver screen with booming sound, with (British-) Hollywood cliche writ large. Which by definition means license.

There are similarities in both versions of each tale--the written and the filmed--enough to make the latter effort worth watching. Often key scenes are re-located, possibly for the sake of budget or regional availability of preferred actor. Likewise the screenplay often omits what I consider crucial links in plot development (though a veteran of the related novel may grudgingly connect the dots well enough).

The point of this little essay, with its somewhat kvetching praise, is to encourage you to enjoy this video production. But enjoy it as three pretty good films with intrigue and plausible character development, not as really accurate renditions of the novels whose titles they bear.

"Ian McShane as David Cleveland ... Dick Francis Mysteries (2006) ... Koch Vision".......2006-10-15

Koch Vision and Lance Studios present - "Dick Francis Mysteries" (In The Frame/ Blood Sport/ Twice Shy) (1994) - Ian McShane - (287 mins/Color) (Dolby Digital) --- Author Dick Francis OBE (born October 31, 1920) is a British jockey and author ... He was born Richard Stanley Francis in Lawrenny, South Wales. The son of a jockey, he had a successful career himself as a jockey, winning over 350 races ... During World War II, he served in the Royal Air Force piloting fighter and bomber aircraft including the Spitfire. He left the RAF in 1946 to become a celebrity in the world of British National Hunt racing ... From 1953 to 1957 he was jockey to Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. He was forced to retire from racing as the result of a serious fall in 1957. His most famous moment as a jockey came while riding the Queen Mother's horse, Devon Loch, in the 1956 Grand National: the horse inexplicably fell when close to winning the race --- Francis is the only three time recipient of the Mystery Writers of America's Edgar Award for Best Novel, winning for Forfeit in 1970, Whip Hand in 1981, and Come to Grief in 1996. Also in 1996, he was given the Grand Master Award, the highest honor bestowed by the MWA --- In 1962, he published his first thriller, Dead Cert, which was set in the world of racing. Subsequently, he regularly produced a novel a year for the next 38 years, missing only 1998 (during which year he published a short story collection). Although all his books were set against a background of horse racing, his heroes held a variety of jobs, from artist (To the Hilt) to private investigator (Odds Against).

Our of hero of Dick Francis Mysteries is DAVID CLEVELAND (played by Ian McShane), is the chief investigator for the British Jockey Club --- was a major TV Movie in a series that was based on many of Francis books --- Cleveland was a continuing character who was always on the side of right versus wrong when it came to horses and their racing --- many weave horse racing within action packed full of suspense, romance and a twist of danger just around the bend of a steeplechase run.

First up "IN THE FRAME" (1989) (97 mins/Color) --- Under Wigbert Wicker (Director), Mathias Wittich (Producer), Denis E. Doty and Jacky Stoller (Executive Producers), Andrew Payne (Teleplay) ----- the cast includes Ian McShane as David Cleveland, Lyman Ward, Amadeus August, Peter Sattmann, Patrick Cauderlier, Rainer Grenkowitz, Cedric Smith, Joseph Ziegler, Laura Dickson, Hans-Peter Korff, Jack Duffy, Liliane Clune, Karin Rasenack, Barbara Rudnik . . . . .the story thus far, will Cleveland (Ian McShane) be able to clear his old friend of of stealing fine wines and art ... is there a deeper secret behind all of the skullduggery ... tune in and find the answer.

Second we have "BLOODSPORT" (1989) (97 mins/Color) --- Under Harvey Hart (Director),Jonathan Hackett (Producer), Dennis E. Doty and Jacky Stoller (Executive Producers), Andrew Payne (Teleplay) ----- the cast includes Ian McShane as David Cleveland, Heath Lamberts, Lloyd Bochner, Kenneth Welsh, Patrick Macnee, Carolyn Dunn, Jennifer Dale, Timothy Webber, Laurie Paton, Cameron Graham, Barbara Franklin, R.D. Reid, Louis Tripp . . . . . our story is of a missing race horse that may still be alive and being switched with another stable of race horses ... Patrick Macnee as McShane's boss is a trip, with Ian finding everything he volunteers him too very boring or not worth his time ... let's see if McShane can make something out of this mystery.

Final and third is "TWICE SHY" (1989) (97 mins/Color) --- Under Deirdre Friel (Director)W. Paterson Ferns (Producer)Dennis E. Doty and Jacky Stoller (Executives Producer), Miles Henderson (Teleplay) ----- the cast includes Ian McShane as David Cleveland, Kate McKenzie, Karl Hayden, Dearbhla Molloy, Niall Toibin, Conor Mullen, David Herlihy, Stephen Brennan, John Keegan, Oliver Maguire, Pat Leavy, Patrick Macnee, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Jim Reid, Deirdre O'Kane . . . . . the plot line has betting services over illegal computers, will the death of McShane's friend bring him full force into the mystery that Francis has contrived ... this one is a puzzlement for Ian, will he be able to find all the pieces and put them together before the final reel.

BIOS:
1. Ian McShane
Date of birth: 29 September 1942 - Blackburn, Lancashire, England, UK
Date of death: Still Living
2. Dick Francis (Author)
Date of birth: 31 October 1920 - Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK
Date of death: Still Living

Great job by Koch Vision for releasing "Dick Francis Mysteries" (In The Frame/ Blood Sport/ Twice Shy) (1994) - Ian McShane, the digital transfere with a clean, clear and crisp print...looking forward to more high quality releases from the foreign film market --- order your copy now from Amazon or Koch Vision where there are plenty of copies available on DVD, stay tuned once again for top notch drama mixed with an outstanding cast and director --- gotta love it!

Total Time: 287 mins on DVD ~ Koch Vision KOCV #6651 ~ (5/02/2006)

Dick Francis Mysteries - Twice Shy / Blood Sport / In the Frame

Average customer rating:

"Ian McShane as David Cleveland ... Dick Francis Mysteries (2006) ... Koch Vision"
Fun stories but poor quality transfer
McShane is super!
McShane is great in three mysteries

Dick Francis Mysteries - Twice Shy / Blood Sport / In the Frame
Starring: Ian McShane , Kate McKenzie , Karl Hayden , Dearbhla Molloy , and Niall Toibin
Director: Deirdre Friel , Harvey Hart , and Wigbert Wicker
Manufacturer: Lance Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Mystery | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

( D ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B00008L3WW
Release Date: 2003-06-03

Description

Horses run hot and murder runs cold, but Jockey Club investigator David Cleveland always keeps his cool. This collection of Dick Francis mysteries includes "Twice Shy," "Blood Sport" and "In the Frame" - the only three full-length features ever made based on the best-selling author's work.

Customer Reviews:

"Ian McShane as David Cleveland ... Dick Francis Mysteries (2006) ... Koch Vision".......2006-10-12

Fun stories but poor quality transfer.......2005-04-14

As others have said Ian McShane is fun in the lead role, and Patrick McNee makes for an entertaining (if slightly wooden boss cum side kick in two of the stories).

Things have changed a bit from the books but I'd guess that is mostly to do with the Irish/Canadian influences on location filming!

The style of filming and music is rather dated now but that doesn't detract from the entertainment too much.

What does detract from enjoyment is the DVD transfer quality. It looks and sounds as though it has been produced from an old VHS recording. Do you remember the slightly wobbly audio on VHS prior to the introduction of NICAM ?? Well that is what the sound often sounds like. The pictures are grainy and in 'Blood Sport' there were obviously some tape tracking issues or tape damage as there are a few brief episodes where there are distortions and interference typical of a poorly tracked VHS tape.

Overall I have given it 3 stars because the stories are worth watching but the audio and visual quality of the DVD transfer pulls down the score for me.

McShane is super!.......2003-12-19

three Dick Francis novel to telly-movies McShane did in a joint Ireland/Canada venture. So you are getting three full length movies in this set. Upfront, this is mainly for McShane fans rather than Dick Francis fans. They will be grumped because of the changes in the books. However...

McShane is gorgeous as Francis' David Cleveland, Jock Club Investigator, who becomes involved with three mysterious outside of the track.

In the Frame - Cleveland helps an old friend who has been robbed and his partner's wife is killed. The only trail to solving the murder is a painting that may be a forgery.

Blood Sport - a multi-million dollar stallion was stolen and never seen again. Why would someone steal a horse they could not race or breed?? David is drawn into the mystery in Canada, where he must ride to save his life.

Twice Shy - finds David helping his nephew's guardian. Her husband was killed in a rock climbing accident, and now someone is harassing her. Kidnapping, ransom and a special code of picking winners lead David on a merry chase.

Any McShane fan will wish to add this super buy to their collection.

McShane is great in three mysteries.......2003-12-17

McShane is gorgeous as Francis' David Cleveland, Jock Club Investigator, who becomes involved with three mysterious outside of the track.

In the Frame - Cleveland helps an old friend who has been robbed and his partner's wife is killed. The only trail to solving the murder is a painting that may be a forgery.

Customer Reviews:

"Ian McShane as David Cleveland ... Dick Francis Mysteries (2006) ... Koch Vision".......2006-10-15

Ian McShane is wonderful!.......2005-06-14

These shows are great - I remember watching them when they were originally on TV and am delighted that they have been released.

But where is Lovejoy???? Hope they release it season by season. He's so sexy on that show!

Super Sexy McShane in a Super buy!!.......2002-05-04

This is advertised as a duo, but it is actually all three of the Dick Francis novel to tele-movies McShane did in a joint Ireland/Canada venture. So you are getting three full length movies in this set.

McShane is gorgeous as Francis' David Cleveland, Jock Club Investigator, who becomes involved with three mysterious outside of the track.

In the Frame - Cleveland helps an old friend who has been robbed and his partner's wife is killed. The only trail to solving the murder is a painting that may be a forgery.

Twice Shy - finds David helping his newphew's guardian. Her husband was killed in a rock climbing accident, and now someone is harrassing her. Kidnapping, ransom and a special code of picking winners lead David on a merry chase.

Any McShane fan will wish to add this super buy to their collection.

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