DVD Review : THE BROKENWOOD MYSTERIES, Series 1

One of the few detective dramas filmed and set in beautiful New Zealand, The Brokenwood Mysteries, Series 1 makes its DVD and Blu-ray debut on July 7, 2015 from Acorn, an RLJ Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: RLJE) brand. In a seemingly quiet country town in New Zealand, Detective Inspector Mike Shepherd (Neill Rea, Go Girls) finds that murder can happen anywhere. Working alongside Detective Constable Kristin Sims (Fern Sutherland, The Almighty Johnsons), Shepherd solves grisly murders in this gripping and well-written series. This DVD 4-disc set and the Blu-ray 2-disc set each feature four feature-length mysteries plus bonus cast interviews ($59.99, AcornOnline.com). Originally broadcast on New Zealand’s Prime TV in September 2014, Series 1 made its North American debut on Acorn TV, the premier British and international television streaming channel in North America, in May 2015. The Brokenwood Mysteries is currently in production on Series 2.

Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Shepherd (Neill Rea) arrives on assignment in Brokenwood, a small town where memories—and animosities—run deep. He’s an experienced cop with a 1971 “classic” car, a collection of country music cassettes, and an indeterminate number of ex-wives. The new woman in his life is his assistant, Detective Kristin Sims (Fern Sutherland), a by-the-book investigator nearly 20 years younger than her boss’s car, who quickly has to get used to his lone-wolf ways.

As Shepherd adapts to the slower pace of life away from the city, he soon discovers that Brokenwood is a place of secrets and suspicions. Everyone and everything is connected, and the serenity of the countryside can easily be shattered by violence and death.

Filmed amid the beautiful landscape of New Zealand’s North Island, these four feature-length mysteries show that murder can haunt even the most idyllic locations. 

BONUS Interviews with the stars (5 min.) and head writer (5 min.)

Episodes: Blood & War; Sour Grapes; Playing the Lie; Hunting the Stag

Street Date: July 7, 2015                              SRP: $59.99  

DVD 4-Disc Set: 4 feature-length mysteries – Approx. 376 min. – SDH Subtitles

UPC 0-54961-2376-9-2                                  ISBN 978-1-62172-376-9

Blu-ray 2-Disc Set: 4 feature-length mysteries – Approx. 376 min. – SDH Subtitles

UPC 0-54961-2426-9-6                                  ISBN 978-1-62172-426-1

My Thoughts 

The Brokenwood Mysteries is a fast-paced series set in New Zealand. It revolves around Mike Shepard, a homicide detective. He sets out to solve some grisly murders along with his partner Kriston Sims. This season includes four exciting episodes including:

Blood & War  - An alcoholic farmer is found dead. He wasn't well liked and was even suspected of killing his wife, so everyone thinks it's a suicide, but Shepard isn't so sure.

Sour Grapes - One of the judges of a wine contest is discovered inside a vat of wine. Several competitors in the contest wind up on the suspect list.

Playing the Lie - A member of the golf committee is murdered. There was no love lost between her and the other members and even her daughter had a vendetta, so there are tons of suspects to choose from.

Hunting the Stag - A husband to be is shot during a stag hunt. At first it seems like an accident but is it possible his future wife had cold feet?

I really enjoyed this new series. The stories were all exciting, though definitely gruesome at times. The New Zealand scenery was lovely and all the actors did a great job.  If you'd like to grab this awesome box set for yourself, you can find it online at Acorn Media or on Amazon.