Carol Ann Kauffman's VISION and VERSE : ENTERTAINMENT: Foyle's War on ACORN

Thursday, July 23, 2020

ENTERTAINMENT: Foyle's War on ACORN

Cast

Series cast summary:
	Michael Kitchen	...	Christopher Foyle 28 episodes, 2002-2015
	Honeysuckle Weeks	...	Samantha Stewart / ... 28 episodes, 2002-2015
	Anthony Howell	...	Paul Milner / ... 21 episodes, 2002-2010

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Storyline

It is 1940 and Britain stands almost alone against the might of Nazi Germany across the continent. The terrors of nightly bombing raids are only matched by the fear and hysteria of the population at the prospect of the seemingly inevitable German invasion. It is in this environment that Detective Chief Superintendent Christopher Foyle, of the Hastings Police on the south coast of England, works. Denied a transfer to the war effort, Foyle is nonetheless forced to confront the darkest acts of humanity on a daily basis. With his official driver, Sam, and his subordinate, Paul Milner, Foyle investigates murders, looting and theft, crimes of opportunism, crimes of war, crimes of passion and crimes of greed, because crime isn't stopped because of warfare. Written by Scott

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

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While the world is at war, one man fights his own battle on the home front.

Did You Know?

Trivia

The black car in which Sam Stewart drives DCS Foyle around is modeled on a 1938 Wolseley 14/60, noted for its so-called "suicide" doors that opened towards the rear. The vehicle registration number KVX757 is still live (as at 2020) and shows, on the UK Government's DVLA website, that the car was built in 1946. The model's production ran from 1938 to 1948 with post-war production recommencing in 1945. See more »

Goofs

In virtually every house or manor that Foyle visits, the bookshelves are empty. See more »

Quotes

DCS Christopher Foyle: The uniform suits you.
Andrew Foyle: Thanks. I wish I could say the same about your dressing gown!
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Connections

Referenced in Drama Trails: 'Doc Martin' to 'Foyle's War' (2008) See more »

User Reviews

Father knows best

8 August 2007 | by ddelamaide – See all my reviews

This is a compelling and oddly comforting drama. There is the setting and the time -- Hastings, on the southern coast of England during World War II. Hastings of course was the site of the last successful invasion of England, in 1066, and that threat seems real in the early days of the war. In the series, it is a provincial town where Deputy Chief Superintendent Foyle tries to solve local crimes of theft and murder, while dealing with wartime problems of black markets, sabotage and espionage. In addition to meddling from police superiors with their own agendas, Foyle must contend with bureaucratic and military interference from London as the war creates situations that lets criminals go free.

Then there are the scripts and the actors, not to mention the overall quality of the production -- lucid photography, theme music with echoes of Brideshead Revisited, period clothing, vehicles, etc. The writing is measured, intelligent, no wasted words. Honeysuckle Weeks and Anthony Howell in the supporting roles of Samantha Stewart and Paul Milner are excellent and play off each other well.

But the show belongs to Michael Kitchen and you wonder why you've never seen this actor before and when you will see him again. He conveys the competence and integrity you want in your hero, but the real attraction, I think, is that he is the ultimate father figure. He is concerned about people without wearing it on his sleeve; gruff, even curt, but letting us glimpse the tenderness behind it; and he is wise, not only a clever detective but wise in the ways of the human heart. He is a father not only to his son, Andrew, an RAF pilot, but also to Sam and Milner and to any number of characters in the various episodes, including his goddaughter in the last (final?) episode. Invariably, this father knows best. While he conveys a sense of vulnerability, you never have the feeling Foyle has really made a mistake. This is why I think the films are comforting. With all the chaos of war, and darkness of human behavior, Foyle moves through it all, self-possessed, caring, and ultimately, even when circumstances beyond his control keep him from actually incarcerating the wrongdoer, successful in protecting his charges from evil.

I absolutely loved this series. Michael Kitchen's facial

expression, posture, and demeanor say so much without

him uttering a word. Yes, yes, the writing is superb. Yes,

the locations were dripping with authenticity. But that

Michael Kitchen is one marvelous actor. I actually pouted

when the series was over. I have Foyle withdrawal.

Sniff...

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