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Rebus - Set 3 | 
| Actors: Ken Stott, Claire Price, Jennifer Black, John Hannah, Sara Stewart
Studio: Acorn Media
Category: DVD
List Price: $49.99
Buy New: $26.99
You Save: $23.00 (46%)
Rating:  4 reviews
Sales Rank: 29663
Format: Box Set, Closed-captioned, Color, Dvd-video, Widescreen, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1
Number Of Discs: 4
Running Time: 273 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 7.7 x 5.4 x 1.2
MPN: ACRDAMP8088D
UPC: 054961808892
EAN: 0054961808892
ASIN: B00180IPPS
Theatrical Release Date: 2007
Release Date: July 1, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Studio: Acorn Media Release Date: 07/01/2008 Run time: 273 minutes
Amazon.com
The bitter, scowling Scottish detective John Rebus returns in four more grim and twisty mysteries, based on the hugely popular crime novels of Ian Rankin. The excellent Ken Stott again plays the surly sleuth as a bull in a china shop, who follows his gut and is rarely wrong. "Knots and Crosses" begins where most detective stories end, with the criminal on trial; when a confession proves inadmissible, Rebus finds himself under investigation as he tries to find out why a stabbing in an alley escalates into a series of killings. "The Naming of the Dead" uses the backdrop of the WTO protests in Edinburgh as Rebus falls for the sister of a government minister who may or may not have committed suicide--and for once, he may let his personal involvement get in the way of his dogged pursuit. In "The First Stone," the Scottish clergy work to keep Rebus from tearing the veil from a decades-old cover-up. And in "Resurrection Men," based on one of Rankin's most acclaimed books, Rebus is forced into a disciplinary treatment program, where a couple of corrupt cops try to lure him over to their side. This last film gives Rebus' partner, Siobhan Clarke (Claire Price, Poirot: The Hollow), the chance to spearhead an investigation and not merely follow in Rebus' wake--but of course, even when he's been taken off a case, he badgers her into seeing things his way. It must be noted that over the course of these four 70 minute TV-movies, Rebus may be becoming a lovable rogue (the sort whose gruff exterior hides a heart of gold) instead of the genuinely bilious, obsessive misanthrope that made the series so distinctive and fascinating. Nonetheless, the complex plots, vigorous performances, and crisp direction will keep you engaged. --Bret Fetzer
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| Customer Reviews:
 Not for every taste, but... November 28, 2008
Richard Cheverton (La Palma, CA USA)
Rebus is an aquired taste--but, then, so is great Islay single-malt.
One might remember the "original" Rebus--John Hannah, a fine actor completely over-matched by the character. But Ken Stott OWNS this guy...much the same way that Alec Guiness so completely inhabited George Smiley that John LeCaree found it impossible to write more about the intelligence don.
These shows are terrific--and keep getting better. Let us pray that more are in the works. Nothing equals UK television (when it's really good) and, most of all, that seemingly effortless, contained, deep British acting. It must be in the genes.
One complaint: the Scottish accents are VERY authentic. Sub-titles needed for the brogue-impaired!
 Only watched Knots and Crosses, hope the rest are better September 3, 2008
DerekH (US)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Let me state first that I am a fan of Ian Rankin and have read almost all of the Rebus novels. I tried watching Knots and Crosses this weekend. It is LOOSELY based on the first novel, but completely omits the past of Rebus. I dont think 67 minutes is enough time to properly portray the novel. Furthermore, while the acting is excellent, I just cant see Ken Stott as Rebus. If you've read the novels, I think you will be disappointed also. If you havent read them, give them a shot. As for me, I dont know if I will watch the rest.
Keeps getting better July 20, 2008
Harold L. Firestone
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I am a fanatic for the British style police and mystery shows.
The Rebus series is down to earth, gritty and the main character often seems like the victim rather than the hero so he does not end up with smiles on his face and handshakes all aroung. He does solve the case(s) though and has a heart for the downtrodden, something lacking in most others. In other words, the series has gotten a little better each time out and I hope it does not end. On top of that, I have spent time in Scotland but still need the closed captions at times and this set has them.
"A Wee Dram" Will Do You June 20, 2008
Stephanie DePue (Carolina Beach, NC USA)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
"Rebus Set 3," as seen on BBC America, is newly-released. It was made by Britain's Independent Television (ITV), although it's being seen on the BBC channel on these shores. Like the others in this superb series, it's a police procedural excellently filmed in Edinburgh, though not the bits of it with which tourists are familiar. Furthermore, scenes, whether on the streets or in the police station, are crowded with people and cars, of correct-looking vintage, rushing around. The people have also apparently been encouraged to speak in the local dialect, which adds immeasurably to the engrossing "foreign" flavor of these productions; although the dialog might be impenetrable to those of us on these shores without the unadvertised subtitles thoughtfully provided by Acorn. The series is, of course, based on the Inspector Rebus novels, also set in Edinburgh, written by prize-winning, best selling Scottish author Ian Rankin. He's tipped by such of his colleagues as best-selling American crime novelist James Ellroy, as the progenitor and #1 practitioner of "tartan noir,"the Scottish adaptation of noir fiction: bloodier and more bloody-minded than the usual, boasting that scorching Scottish humor.
This series features four more taut offerings from the hit British series of crime thrillers, including "Resurrection Men," based on the Edgar-Award for Best Novel-winning book of the same name; and "The Naming of the Dead," based on the book of the same name that won the British Book Award for Crime Thriller of the Year. Also"Knots and Crosses," based on an earlier book, the first Rebus novel, published in 1987 to great critical acclaim. And "The First Stone," apparently an original screenplay using Rankin's characters.
These characters continue to be played by the excellent cast assembled for post-John Hannah productions: admired television actor Ken Stott, man of a thousand faces, in the title role, that of Detective Inspector Rebus. Claire Price as his earnest, ambitious partner Detective Sergeant Siobhan Clarke. And Jennifer Black as Detective Chief Superintendent Gillian Templer, Rebus's boss, and one of his many former lovers. Black's character appears to have beefed-up parts in this series -- and good for her -- though it looks to me as if she and Price are having trouble with the wardrobe department: the ones they've been given are dowdy, and quite meager. It's a good thing they're not making "Sex and the City."
"Resurrection Men" has been just about totally rewritten from the book; that's probably just as well; as many people complained the latter was confusing. "The First Stone," an original script, is a riveting, gutsy attack on the Church of Scotland. "The Naming of the Dead" has also been largely rewritten from the book; also, undoubtedly, just as well, as many readers complained about that book,too. Finally," Knots and Crosses" is excellently done. It features actor Nicholas Farrell, who's virtually grown-up on TV and movie screens before us, as its villain.
In "The First Stone," when Templer is asked how she sleeps at night, with the things she's been forced to see as a cop, she answers, "a wee dram." If you're watching this exciting series at night, you just might need similar help.
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