Beyond the Grave (2000) User Reviews (15)

Vintage Midsomer

[Sleepin_Dragon · 9/10 · 20 September 2018]

I have always loved Beyond the Grave, it's one of those episodes of Midsomer Murders where everything is on point, the story, the characters, production values, and of course the mystery itself.

I've read reviews of those deeming it confusing, I wouldn't go along with that, I'd say it deals with a complex story, it's basically all about mental torture, and mental control, how on Earth would you tell a story about those factors easily.

There are of course some nonsensical elements, the whole involvement of Nico is bonkers, I can imagine the health and safety brigade in this situation.

I love the eeriness of this story, it really does have a spooky feel to it, everything about it is subtle, nothing is overplayed. It works so well largely due to Cheryl Campbell, her out and out loveliness, plus the sincerity she injects into the character, she is truly excellent.

The characters are so big and bold, a trait the producers seemed to lose in later years, each of the characterisations here are memorable, Prunella Scales's 'Eleanor Bunsall' perhaps being the boldest on display, she's fantastic, as is Sylvestra Le Touzel as the behind the scenes Linda Marquis.

It's a mix of humour, intrigue and clever storytelling, Midsomer almost at its very best, 9/10

a little confusing

[blanche-2 · 7/10 · 8 November 2013]

The portrait of a local Aspen Tallow figure, Jonathan Lawrie, housed in the local museum, has been slashed, and Barnaby and Troy come to the site to investigate. A restorer has been called in, a somewhat unstable woman still grieving for the death of her husband. She reports some strange ghostly doings at the museum.

There are two other murders, and one interesting clue: a package of mackerel found in the cemetery.

Barnaby and Troy aren't alone in their investigation, however. Cully's boyfriend, who has just been hired as an detective sergeant in a TV show, shadows Troy to learn the ropes. As Troy puts it, "He's making more money playing me than I make."Though he isn't welcome, it turns out he's actually quite smart and observant.

Despite the humor in this particular episode, there was too much going on, and if you didn't concentrate every second, you lost the thread of the interwoven plots -- in fact, I couldn't remember the motive for one of the incidents and had to rewind.

I think in this case, three bodies was perhaps one too many, and one subplot could perhaps have been omitted.

Spooky

[TheLittleSongbird · 8/10 · 29 January 2017]

Despite getting through reviewing each episode of 'Midsomer Murders' in order of airing, somehow (most likely tiredness or lack of concentration) "Beyond the Grave" was omitted.

"Beyond the Grave" is not a favourite of mine. The storytelling isn't perfect. Sometimes there is too much going on, a lot of events and twists and a lot of characters and it did feel slightly cluttered. Things do get convoluted at times, especially in the latter half.

However, there is a lot to like, any fan of 'Midsomer Murders' will love that what is so great about the show is evident in "Beyond the Grave". The production values are top notch, with to die for scenery, the idyllic look of it contrasting very well with the story's darkness, and quaint and atmospheric photography. The music fits perfectly, and the theme tune one of the most memorable and instantly recognisable of the genre.

The highlight of the script is the humour, which is deliciously wry and hugely entertaining, and Barnaby and Troy's chemistry is a joy.

John Nettles cannot be faulted as Barnaby, nor Daniel Casey, their spirited chemistry an enormous part of the show's charm. Jane Wymark is a good presence and her chemistry with Nettles shows a husband and wife in a loving marriage but due to his job getting in the way it's not always a perfect one. The supporting cast are strong.

Meanwhile, the script is smart and thought-provoking with some nice humour, a suitable dark grimness, a suitably spooky atmosphere and good characters. The story is compelling, with the strange but very spooky atmosphere being the most striking, the twists and turns nice enough.

Overall, a good episode if not a favourite, suffers somewhat from trying to do too much. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Pretty Good... but definitely not my fave

[alix2468ks · 18 August 2011]

I disagree with the previous reviewer. While it is a decent episode, the story is rather convoluted. There are basically 3 different crimes going on at the same time. Only one of them is fully-explained, from beginning to end, who, what, when, where, why and how... and it's not even the murders. The first murder in particular makes no sense... Like why? Once you watch it, you'll understand my meaning. I get that the murderer was there but they don't really explain a motive. I mean the murderer puts himself in a situation, for no logical reason, that requires him to kill that person. It's bizarre. The other murder doesn't make that much sense either, just as far as the actual motive. Rather a weak story in my opinion, but I found it entertaining, so I can't complain too much.

Surely a Challenge to Keep Track of, but Worth It

[Hitchcoc · 9/10 · 16 February 2016]

I was a bit bored at the beginning of this episode, but it was worth hanging on for the developments. What starts out as a simple case of vandalism (the cutting up of a valuable portrait from a past century) develops into a case of anger and revenge. There are numerous characters from a woman who says she can get vibrations from the graves of people, including one who is buried right in the middle of a museum, to another, who begins to see spirits and who begins to doubt her sanity. This is a simple view of what takes place and there are numerous layers at work here. People are close mouthed about their involvements with one another, but we can see incredible tensions. The museum is at the center of everything. But there are some far more basic issues warranting investigation. Money and jealousy are often at the center of things and this is no exception to that. Some have criticized the supernatural implications of this offering, but Barnaby's clashing with his usual rational approach makes that just fine.

Another Classic

[Schweizer85 · 9/10 · 27 January 2021]

Love this episode, its intricate, and while there's several stories going on at once, the episode doesn't seem too cluttered and they all work well simultaneously. This episode touches on themes that differ from other episodes of the early series, there's far more than murder going on here.

One of my most favourite things about Midsomer Murders are the houses and the scenery. I love how the setting of this episode complements the theme, its dark, its spooky, possibly filmed in the Autumn, it really sets the tone of the episode well.

The highlight of this episode has to be Prunella Scales, a brilliant performance. This episode is not one to miss

"First there's nothing here for us then the whole World turns on a smoked mackerel." Good Midsomer Murders mystery.

[poolandrews · 7/10 · 10 October 2007]

Midsomer Murders: Beyond the Grave is set in the Midsomer village of Aspen Tallow & starts as Alan Bradford (Malcolm Sinclair) the curator of the Aspen Hall museum is just finishing the Jonathan Lowrie death tour with some tourists when he discovers a valuable 17th century painting of local legend Lowrie has been slashed with a knife, local painting restorer Sandra MacKillop (Cheryl Campbell) is commissioned to fix it. DCI Tom Barnaby & Sgt. Gavin Troy (Daniel Casey) are called in but decide it's a matter for uniform, however that soon changes when Marcus Lowrie (Charles Simon) the great, great, great, great, great Grandson of Jonathan is found dead in the museum with his head based in. Local legends claim that the ghost of Jonathan Lowrie walks the corridors of Aspen Hall & several strange things begin to happen, could a ghost be responsible for the murder & is Aspen Hall museum haunted as Barnaby quickly discovers the case is far more complex than he had first thought... Episode 4 from season 3 this Midsomer Murders mystery was the final story from that very short season & was directed by Moira Armstrong who turns in another fine British crime drama with a spooky twist. The script by Douglas Watkinson has all the usual intrigue & mystery but there's slightly more to Beyond the Grave than just a standard whodunit, I really liked the supernatural theme for starters & old British country houses lend themselves perfectly for such a story, I liked the complex ending here a lot as well & I seriously doubt anyone will be able to figure it out. In fact it kept me guessing right up to the very end & it had a nice unexpected climax with some good twists & turns, I also liked the last few seconds with the rocking chair which rocks back & forth on it's own & is a nice light hearted touch maybe indicating the presence of the ghost of Jonathan Lowrie. The killers motives are suitably over-the-top & aren't easy to work out. Even more than usual you need to watch & listen to this Midsomer Murders episode carefully because you can easily miss something which turns out to be vital & as a result the end explanations may not make as much sense as they should. This one also has some nice deadpan humour & an actor who is going to play a Sgt. in a TV soap opera gets to shadow Troy in an amusing sub plot. As usual this looks fabulous with it's distinctly English country locations, I really hope this show gets the HD (high definition) treatment sometime soon. Ewelme in Oxfordshire was used as the location for Aspen Tallow while Chenies Manor in Buckinghamshire was used as the Aspen Hall museum & was last seen in Judgment Day (2000) one episode ago as Edward Aladice's house! This one has two murders, someone is rather violently bashed over the head with bloody results while the other one is off screen, there's also a slightly higher profanity content than usual. This is extremely well made as one expects & believe me is one of the best looking things made for British TV, the acting is also great including a small role for Prunella Scales & for those who enjoy series continuity issues Joyce Barnaby changes her hair style in this one from her usual straight bob to some hideous styled monstrosity which doesn't suit her at all. Beyond the Grave is yet another great Midsomer Murders story in an exceptionally high quality first three seasons with only Blue Herrings (2000) letting things down slightly, top quality work from the whole production team but can they maintain it through season 4...

This episode was filmed during Season 2.

[j-cameron-hollis · 10/10 · 29 September 2018]

Great episode. Old car, old house, old hairdos.... Why did they save it for later in Season 3??

Beyond the Grave

[coltras35 · 7/10 · 11 February 2023]

A village of Apern Tallow is rocked by a series of ghostly occurrences that begins with the inexplicable slashing of a painting in the local museum. Barnaby investigates, shadowed by Cully's actor boyfriend, who is preparing for a role as a police officer - but the mysterious events take a far darker turn when a man is found dead on the grave of his ancestor.

Enjoyable episode with plenty of red herrings, atmosphere and a ghost - there's plenty of twist and turns, however it can be overloaded with confusion and the denouement isn't too clear. Still baffled who really is the culprit. But hey it's still good one, especially with Cully's boyfriend, who shadowing Troy as he got a role in a police show.

"Beyond the Grave" Original Air Date:5 February 2000 (Season 3, Episode 4)

[Bernie4444 · 10/10 · 28 December 2023]

The presentation is rich in overlapping plots. Most of the actors are from other popular presentations. The story was adapted from a book by Caroline Graham but adapted to fit in the Midsomer Murder series.

A portrait is vandalized and an expert Sandra MacKillop (Cheryl Campbell) is brought in to restore it. D. C. I. Tom Barnaby (John Nettles) is being shadowed by Nico Bentley (Ed Waters) Cully's actor boyfriend; Nico for a character to be in a play is studying Troy's (Daniel Casey) methods.

Inanimate Items start to move on their own. Slowly but surely, we come to realize there is a ghost or someone is nutters. This is a story of beyond the grave circumstances.

What makes this presentation interesting is watching the interaction of our favorite characters for the "Midsomer" series. They have a lot of great one liners and Sergeant Gavin grimaces as he has to eventually interview the local nutters.

Not a favorite, but creepy enough.

[harrykivi · 7/10 · 8 May 2020]

The third season of "Midsomer Murders" has been a good one overall -"Judgement Day" especially showed real class in terms of writing murder mysteries. "Beyond the Grave" unfortunately falls a bit short, though it' s still a solid episode.

Let's start with good, shall we?

. The production values are usually wonderful. Moira Armstrong directs a beautiful-looking episode and the music's as always touching. The acting is fine too. Cheryl Campbell's suitably vulnerable, doesn't go over the top and Malcolm Sinclair's a delightful presence. Great job's also done with the museum setting, which is quite unsettling.

. The story of "Beyond the Grave" did mostly engage. There are some decent twists in the narrative and the humor, which is quirky, works in the episode's favor. Who can forget Nico shadowing Gavin :)

But...

. I do agree that the latter half of the episode does get bit too hard to follow, because there are lots characters and subplots, which need closure. I really think they was one character or subplot too many.

. "Beyond the Grave" didn't have as many surprises as much as I would have wanted to. The solution did not shock me too ( the fact that Ralph murdered James Tate was not hard to figure out at all).

Overall, good, but certainly not a strong "Midsomer Murders".

7,5/10 HK

Proper Creepy!

[dianes-570-565705 · 9/10 · 26 February 2024]

This Midsomer Muders is great fun and creepy.

The theme is mental health. This is a dark subject and everything looks fairly dark and autumn El. The acting is superb, especially Prumella Scales. Like Barnaby, I liked her. The curator is also well played.

The comedy is well done. I liked Nico, though I doubt the "actors follows policeman" is quite that casual. I also enjoyed the dog. And the fish.

I subtracted a point because I fingered the culprit immediately. A most untrustworthy character. Plus, I smelled the final scene coming fairly early on.

That said, I really got a kick out of this one and would recommend it.

It is beyond me

[xmasdaybaby1966 · 7/10 · 14 September 2020]

I am watching the episodes in screened order and, as someone else has pointed out, this episode was obviously filmed earlier than previously screened ones. For me, the episode is a bit poor compared to others made in this era but Troy is less obvious about his non-PC views in this episode (assumedly, a more moderate writer was used for this one). It's quite a while before a murder takes place which might lose the attention of some people and the story maybe a bit complex too. A good cast, a rare appearance for the pathologist's wife and great to see a returning character from series 1.

First rate entertainment with a complex but gripping multi-layered storyline.

[jamesraeburn2003 · 9/10 · 4 February 2022]

DCI Barnaby and Sgt Troy (played by John Nettles and Daniel Casey) are in the village of Aspern Tallow where a portrait of a Royalist from the English Civil War has been slashed at the local museum. It is rumoured that the ghost of the man in the painting has haunted the village for centuries. Picture restorer Sandra MacKillop (played by Cheryl Campbell) is called in to repair it, but she becomes disturbed by supernatural apparitions in the museum. Recently widowed, it just so happens that the man in the painting bears a striking resemblance to her late husband. When Marcus Lowry, a descendent of the Royalist, is found battered to death in the museum, Barnaby and Troy are back on the scene conducting a murder inquiry. Is the museum really haunted? Is Sandra going out of her mind, or is someone deliberately trying to drive her insane? If so, whom and why? What was the motive for Lowry's murder and what is the significance of a discarded packet of smoked mackerel found in the churchyard that arouses Barnaby's interest?

All in all, Beyond The Grave is first rate entertainment from the early years of this much loved English crime drama series. Douglas Watkinson's well-structured screenplay has a gripping multi-layered plot. It starts with the seemingly trivial case of petty vandalism, which Barnaby initially dismisses as "file and forget" until - wait for it! - he finds the smoked mackerel. Troy cannot possibly understand why that would encourage his boss to take a renewed interest in the case. But it opens the door to a complex case involving an escaped convict, a former gang boss on the run with the loot and a wealthy widow who is apparently on the edge of insanity. Barnaby and Troy wonder whether or not she is being got at and, if so, by whom? The more serious aspects of the story are handled well with Cheryl Campbell standing in out in the acting stakes as the troubled Sandra. John Nettles, meanwhile, adds a new dimension to his character who comes across as tougher here in the way he questions the guilty party and is clearly appalled by the despicable nature of their crime and their reasons for committing it. There are humorous moments in the story to to relieve the tension. In this instance, Barnaby agrees to let his daughter, Cully's, actor boyfriend Nico (played by Ed Waters) shadow Troy in preparation for a role he is playing in a TV crime drama as a Detective Sergeant. As it happens, he proves to be useful in the investigation and Troy, somewhat annoyed, says he will end up getting paid more for playing him than he does for being him. The acting by a good cast is excellent all round as is Moira Armstrong's direction who succeeds in holding the complicated plot together. All other technical aspects such as lighting and music are of a high standard too.

Too confusing

[mymeister · 5/10 · 7 May 2020]

I stopped watching this one 80 percent of the way along as it became confusing and not interesting.