Heat of the Sun (1998) User Reviews (19)

A depressingly short run for one of the few British detectives that was refreshingly not clinically depressed (or psychotic)!

[gaiter88 · 9/10 · 24 September 2009]

It is hard for me to think of a TV program which I considered to have finished at the right time, the majority no matter how good they are out stay their welcome, while a few go too quickly. However I can honestly say that Heat of the Sun is the most depressing example of the later I have come across in a long time.

This series has its faults: Historical and continuity inaccuracies that only the nick picking would notice, an over sentimental last episode and a few wayward performances. But at its heart this is a decently written and well acted period detective drama. Not only that, compared to almost all of British television's recent detective dramas it is refreshing, both in its unique period setting and the fact that it's detective is for all intense purposes mentally stable.

And so it is for the above reasons that I believe this series deserved more than three episodes. It had places to go and stories still to tell and it is just another example of some of the poor decision making that has been going on at ITV over the last couple of decades! For at the end of the day Waking the Dead is a great series (as to lesser extents so are some of its ITV replicas) but I would have much preferred to have swap a few series of Boyd for a handful or so more episodes of Tyburn and this forgotten and under-appreciated gem of a show.

Great series

[jolrei · 8/10 · 3 October 2005]

This was a great series - Trevor Eve played the part of Superintendent Tyburn with a wry subtlety that fit the part. Having lived in Kenya myself when I was growing up, it was easy to relate to the foreigner in another country who does not fit into his "home" society anymore, but will never be African either. I can not comment on costume inconsistencies or period setting mistakes (one comment mentioned a 1939 rifle in 1933), but these do not detract particularly from what is essentially a mystery novel on DVD. As for the idea of "nazis" in 1933 Kenya, I think other comments may be jumping to conclusion. Tyburn was following leads to drug smugglers, if I recall correctly, and Germans in East Africa would not have been unheard of, considering that Tanzania was, at one point, a German colony (I believe Queen Victoria once gave Mt. Kilimanjaro to the Kaiser for his birthday, hence the strange "jog" in what is otherwise a straight line border between Kenya and Tanzania).

worth seeing

[daychooch1 · 9/10 · 1 July 2002]

I have seen this mini-series 3 times and each time I enjoy it. Yes, there are a few technical oddities, but, by and large the movie was well acted out by all involved. I believe Trevor Eve played his part quite convincingly. I hope they come out with another mini-series with the same main characters.

Great TV series.

[Blueghost · 8 August 2004]

I really miss this series. Well acted, well shot, high production values, a touch over the top here and there in terms of story and characterization, but all in all a very good mini series.

Trevor Eve does an excellent job of portraying Superintendent Albert Tyburn, a duty bound independent thinker and detective in the Kenyan colonial police force, but he is not there by choice. To find out why you have to watch the series :-)

Some of the other commentators have remarked on some of the details of the series, costuming, props and so forth, but I found the art direction quite thorough, and very convincing when combined with a talented cast and direction. There may be some inaccuracies here and there (note the antenna on the plane), but in general the series does portray the appropriate visuals for both time and setting.

I found the cinematography quite complimentary to the characters and setting. There's a definite feel for a place distant, warm, inviting and full of intrigue all at the same time. The visuals draw you into the series, and appropriately enhance the drama.

If I were to offer any kind of criticism it's that there wasn't enough exposition of Eve's character's background. There're references here and there, and synopsized tidbits, but not much of a good exploration of his military background and general history: We do know he's a man of discipline and high ideals, even when it comes to race. But, be that as it may, much to the director's and Eve's credit they don't portray Tyburn as a racial crusader, but a man who believes in the sovereignty and application of law to all people.

On that note the series does explore racial relations in 1930's Kenya, but doesn't make its primary theme. It's a mystery series, and crimes are committed by people of all shades and stations. Its Tyburn's unfortunate duty to bring justice to Nairobi's malefactors :-)

Part of the series appeal isn't just that it's a period piece, but a series set in Africa with an unlikely and welcome portion of action. It's primarily a mystery series, but not exclusively. Again, to see why you have to watch it :-)

An excellent series that deserves to be reaired.

Do yourselves a favor and rent, buy or check out the series from your local library. You won't be disappointed.

A joy to watch.

[palmer-1 · 10/10 · 7 June 2002]

In 1931, after taking justice into his own hands, Scotland Yard detective Albert Tyburn (Trevor Eve) is given the choice of prison or reassignment to Nairobi. He chooses Nairobi determined to do the best job he can, but he encounters obstacles everywhere he turns. You will find yourself loving to hate his superior, Police Commissioner Ronald Burkett (Michael Byrne).

From the beginning Tyburn doesn't fit in with his fellow countrymen. Mainly because he sees the natives as people. that have feelings, intelligence and rights. Tyburn seems to view the behavior of the pompous Englishmen he encounters embarrassing at best and down right despicable at times.

This video set includes three separate episodes: "Private Lives", "Hide in Plain Sight" and "The Sport of Kings". Investigating these cases Tyburn encounters arson, drug-dealing and murder. Each head scratching mystery will keep you riveted to your seat, but watch out for some surprising twists along the way. Running through the stories is the possibility of a budding romance between Albert Tyburn and the fiercely independent Emma Fitzgerald (Susannah Harker).

Great writing, compelling characters, beautiful scenery and a wonderful music score all combine to make "Heat of the Sun" a joy to watch over and over again.

Terrific adventure and romance

[aturia · 10/10 · 3 May 2000]

This is a terrific series. You totally loose yourself in the times, location; the characters are all too real; you only want it to continue.

The acting has so much depth;one has to believe and hope there may be a sequel. I thought the story lines blended well together; the script was tight; if you left for a second, you missed key dialogue. Happy Valley was an "anything goes" society so characters like DeVille, Hans Dietrick Gessler (it was never implied that he was a Nazi), and Daphne's affair are hardly surprising. As for the insignia on the plane, British and Kenyan planes had different registration schemes; I don't know if this was accurately portrayed. All in all 10 stars.

It's a Humphrey Bogart Style American Movie

[VRBC · 10/10 · 5 January 2000]

It took me a while to think of what this series reminds me of. It just hit me. Casablanca, To Have and Have Not, Key Largo, etc. Before you curse me, hear me out because I am a huge Bogart fan. I put my money where my mouth is. I bought all of his films.

Set in the 30's. The exotic and mysterious locations. The leading man is tough but fair. He is rebel but has a moral code of honor. The leading lady is all of those qualities but still a Lady.

This film has great setting, music, filming, acting and mystery writing. I find new things every time I watch it and that, to me, is a sign of a good movie. It has everything a mystery fan can ask for.

Brilliant!

[sosuttle · 10/10 · 18 October 2019]

Good show! Well played! I was disappointed to discover there are only three episodes of this series. Each episode is feature film length, so that at least is worthwhile. The plots are deliciously tangled; each one a surprise. The action is authentic without being over the top. And the flavor is pure British colonial. I do agree there are historical errors ( a couple of later-than-1931 cars, the airplane, etc.), but come on now, where do you find such things in later day Zimbabwe whilst shooting a film thousands of miles from home? I found this series on Amazon Prime and if you have that service, it's certainly worth a look.

Heat of the Sun is amongst the best

[tompkinsdg · 10/10 · 19 June 2018]

From the beginning to the end of each episode made me hunger for another. Gave me a historical experience of both white and black African society. Very Good Series.

Wish there was more of it

[SipteaHighTea · 10/10 · 11 April 2008]

I love the series and it's too bad it was not a long running one. The blonde Assistant Superintendent James Valentine who eventually became of the aides to the main character Superintend Albert Tyburn was kind of like the Chicago police recruit Georg Stone in the movie The Untouchables because both men were excellent marksmen.

The Police Commissioner told Albert Tyburn that he will never be one of them. I got news for the Police Commissioner in that he and the rest of his officers will never be considered part of the British society in Kenya. The Kenya Police was look down upon in British Kenya. I wonder why the producers and writers of the show pick Kenya. Why not send the character to Palestine, Shanghai, Singapore, or Hong Kong? Superintendent Tyburn would have seen plenty of action in murder, smuggling, organized crime particularly Chinese, and gun battles with Chinese mob or in Palestine especially in the Arab Revolt of 1936.

So full of technical errors as to be unbelievable.

[TED-26 · 3/10 · 30 January 1999]

The story jumps about so much as to be indiscernible. Missing insignia, wrong native languages, a blatant homosexual, an impossible interracial affair, an airplane with different tail registration numbers, and the use of a rifle not in the system until 1939 in a 1933 setting lend to the confusion. The introduction of a German Nazi(?) kidnapper adds nothing, but more confusion. The plot appears written in sequences, then glued together without consideration for continuity.

Engaging, enjoyable, easy suspension of disbelief

[oldabelincoln · 19 October 2000]

Acting, directing, and writing are all fine. It's mysteries set in 30's Africa, and uses many of the conventions of films of the time, but from a modern perspective - not unlike the approach taken in Indiana Jones - and it generally works well.

I'm usually the first one to quibble about technical errors, but this series was sooo well done that I never noticed any of the ones noted in other reviews here. Mind you, I had a hard time with Valentine shooting guns out of people's hands, and with a flaming homosexual in that time and place, but I just let the excellent story telling carry things along. Somehow, it seemed ** right ** that Valentine was able to shoot guns out of people's hands, and that there were Nazis lurking, etc.

One of the most enjoyable things on TV in a long time, and I hope there will be more. Let's have a DVD soon, please.

Marvelous escapist entertainment!

[mayfair · 3 March 1999]

Colonial Kenya provides an exotic, fascinating backdrop for this excellent PBS Mystery series. Heat of the Sun is what I call the "kitchen sink" approach to detective fiction, with every crime imaginable--from murder, arson, and drug-running, to blackmail, banditry, and slave trading--perpetrated under the hot African sun. The excellent acting, the palpable romantic chemistry between the two main characters, the hypnotic setting, and the clever, convoluted plots, all combined to make this a memorable viewing experience. Hopefully, we'll be seeing the continuing adventures of Superintendent Tyburn, Emma Fitzgerald, and company, before too long!!

Most Enjoyable Mix

[Thalberg · 22 February 1999]

This series mixes genres and conventions in a most enjoyable way. It has elements of police procedural, hard-boiled detective story, historical mystery, and colonial soap opera. Trevor Eve is fun to watch as Tyburn, the tough, incorruptible British cop who is both repelled and amused by British society in 1930s Nairobi, Kenya, while refusing to become enmeshed in its racism and decadence. The lovely Susannah Harker is under-used as his aviatrix girl friend. The rest of the supporting cast is highly effective. I am not an expert on the period, but the stories give a good flavor of life as it was lived in that place and time.

The atmosphere of Kenya is portrayed with such accuracy that it leaves me homesick.

[Crunch · 2 February 1999]

From every aspect this programme is tremendous. I am mesmerized whilst watching and sad when it ends. The attitudes of social stature are clearly portrayed. I find this highly enjoyable.

Wonderful idea, uneven execution

[Tigereyes · 23 November 2001]

What a wonderful series concept! A streetwise, professional Scotland Yard detective is exiled to decadent Nairobi colonial society in 1931, and charged with enforcing rules among people who have fled England specifically to avoid them. Before he's even started his first day, the tough but idealistic Superintendent Tyburn has managed to subdue three abusive, upper class drunks and haul them to jail on the back of his luggage wagon, only to find that one of them is the nephew of the governor. And that's just the beginning...

Heat of the Sun displays the wonderful British acting and production values that make public television viewers so spoiled. The art direction and costuming are excellent, truly capturing a sense of Kenya in the 1930's, and the actors nail their parts down, especially Trevor Eve as Superintendent Tyburn and Susannah Harker as the independent bush pilot Emma Fitzgerald.

Unfortunately, the production is hobbled by uneven writing and directing, which may help account for why the series never continued beyond three 2-hour stories. The writers introduce far too much plot and not enough character. People talk about themselves instead of showing who they are. In a glorious atmosphere like this one, I want to know more about these people and how they came here - the flaming homosexual, the literate African constable, the Jewish doctor and the Sikh forensics expert - but the script rarely gives more than a shallow glimpse before bolting on to the next plot twist. As a result, the stories often feel flat, like cardboard characters are marching through a mystery novel.

Some of the directors need to go back to film school. The first episode shows no sense of shot size or angle; people are framed way too tightly and the camera often swirls around Tyburn even when someone else is speaking. Shots don't flow together because actors are looking at slightly different angles to the camera. And so on.

But on the whole, the great sense of atmosphere manages to carry this series far above the mundane. I really hope to see a sequel; just nail down the details next time, and this series could be a classic.

Thoroughly enjoyable entertainment

[Rover209 · 14 February 1999]

For its genre, "Heat of the Sun" is thoroughly enjoyable entertainment. Despite a few technical oversights (that the hypercritical might notice), it provides a well-written story using interesting characters set in a fascinating locale. For those who are fans of the "classic" English mystery, this series provides a wonderful twist using British Colonial Africa as its backdrop. Hopefully, we'll see new episodes in the near future.

Best Mystery yet!

[MaryK-2 · 26 February 1999]

Loved the films. Best of the Mystery series to date. The stories and characters keep you glued to your set. I hope they plan more films in this series. Excellent entertainment.

A drama for the commons

[billhepner · 26 July 2013]

Heat of the Sun takes place in the 1930s in Africa when England was still an Empire. The show is about a Scotland Yard Super that believes that justice has no barrier to wealth and position. He is sent to Africa to escape jail time for shooting a wealthy and powerful Englishman who had a penance for murdering street children. While in Africa he continues his desire for law and justice. It shows that the "High and Mighty" can be on both sides of the fence. In his own way he brings real law and justice to the savage world of English Africa. Trevor Eve the star and lead of this movie series brings forth this powerful epic that makes it unforgettable. It should be on your list of favorites as I give it a 10 rating. Do not pass this movie by. It is a must see!