Watch Dangerous Davies: The Last Detective For Free

Very very predictable, including the post credit scene !!!

Just what I expected

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

I found this utterly charming film by accident - it was the bonus feature of the box set (Region 1) of the later series "The Last Detective" with Peter Davison, also based on the work of Leslie Thomas, but made two decades later. The story of the Bernard Cribbens film is based on the same one told in the Peter Davison series pilot; comparison of the two versions is interesting, and although the later TV series was good, this Bernard Cribbens film is simply wonderful. Davis is a determined plodder but the action never ever seems slow - from one clue to the next, the charming vignettes and excellent acting move the story along perfectly. The action here follows the Leslie Thomas book closely and much of the dialogue is taken verbatim from the novel. I have watched it a few times, finding new things to appreciate with each reviewing - it's funny, touching, AND an excellent detective story - AND has great performances by Bernard Cribbens and the rest of the cast.Altogether, a treat!

I remember watching this as a 9/10 year old and was a bit spooked by it. The odd characters, the music, the feeling (even then) that the comic aspect to it sat uneasily next to main story of the murder/rape of a young woman.Watching it again recently (on DVD), I now see the naivety of it, the lack of political correctness, the slightly perverse emphasis on the young woman's sex life & her underwear, the painting by numbers plot continually has to circle itself. It's all a bit cack-handed, but scores points for its nostalgic portrayal of what comedy/drama/suspense was like on TV in the late 70's/early 80's.It also scores heavily for its cast. Although the story development is risible, the actors play it mostly straight (save perhaps Lipman).very watchable, but if it was on TV now, you'd want your licence fee back.

In some respects this film feels really dated. Not surprising, given that (at the time of writing) it is 25 years old, and that (without giving anything away) the events the film revolves around took place another 15 years before that. It lacks the polish that overwhelmed the British film industry a decade later, but the end result is still watchable and in its own way fascinating. There are elements of almost slapstick comedy, but at the same time there are much darker themes.Being more used to the ITV television series starring Peter Davidson, the casting of Bernard Cribbins as the lead character was at first a little jarring, but then as you get into the film it becomes clear that he was possibly the ideal choice. For one thing you get a much better understanding of Det. Constable Davies ironic nickname of "Dangerous" and the title "The Last Detective". He's a bumbling fool (or so his colleagues think), who only gets sent into a situation either as a last resort or as cannon-fodder to save the bruises of his fellow officers. Nevertheless, beneath his haphazard demeanour is a man obsessed, and with a combination of dogged - almost pig-headed - determination, keener observation than he is credited with by those around him he finds solutions to a case lesser officers have left long cold, and deemed irrelevant by his obstructive superiors.Cribbins' portrayal of Davies leaves you understanding him as a man with a heart, determined to find justice for a long-forgotten victim. In some respects this has become a cliché in British police and crime drama, but unlike contemporary dramatisations this character is perfectly capable of callous brutality when he believes the recipient no longer worthy of consideration. The plot relies on a few awkward contrivances to create links in the chain of detection, but overall it's a surprisingly satisfying film.I wouldn't say this film deserves a "family" categorisation, except with elder teenage children.

An excellent story by Leslie Thomas gives Bernard Cribbins his best dramatic role since the Railway Children. The cast is perfect and as always Thomas combines strong elements of comedy and pathos without descending into mawkishness. This marvellous film is long overdue for release on video!