No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency - The Complete Series (2009) [DVD]

I loved this when it was on TV, recently I began to read the books which reminded me of the series.

The television adaptation of The No.1 Ladies' Detectie Agency is an utterly charming and beautiful piece of work, a deceptively complex set of upbeat and interesting characters, and a terrific way to while time away. The premise is good fun - Mma Precious Ramotswe has set up a detective agency with herself and her one staff member in secretary Grace Makotsi and seeks to make a go of her business. The six part series puts her detecting skills to the test with typically three consecutive cases running simultaneously. Ramotswe solves the cases gradually including the one that runs through most of the series with break-ins happening to many of the local businesses.No.1 has a clear moral message and Ramotswe's ethics are based on the importance of developing and building personal relationships and helping those who deserve to be helped. Those who are rude or dangerous are dealt with assertively and it is a pleasure to see a good hearted character not be naive. The morality jars in a couple of places where she defends the actions of those responsible on the grounds that those with more authority should have helped them out but in general this is a rich exploration of the ethics mainly because the characters are never one dimensional and they grow and respond to the circumstances they face.Characterisation is what sets greatness apart and this series has excellent characters. Mma Ramotswe is a terrific lead because she has weaknesses. Her penchant for cakes and her large frame are oft-repeated by other characters, especially the other women. The men generally are very responsive to her and that she handles both flattery and negative comment with such good grace is charming. Her real weaknesses though are in a complete lack of business experience and Note Mokoti the irresponsible and violent musician she loved and married long ago. Ramotswe displays indecision and insecurity at times provides a superb roundness to the thought process she goes through for instance in deciding how to handle the advances of the honest but shy JLB Matekoni.The supporting cast is fantastic. JLB Matekoni is a very well developed lead male character. He is hardworking, honest, giving which are virtues many aspire to but not ones that lead to success in finding relationships. As the series develops he learns from the mistakes he makes in trying to woo Ramotswe and while the verbalisation of his developing courage probably should have been left un-said it is rewarding to see Matekoni develop the leadership and resilience a man needs. Other supporting characters such as Mr Patel and BK add comedy value every time they appear on screen but also a pathos in both struggling to find their place in the modern world for very different reasons.The supporting character that absolutely steals the show though is Ramotswe's assistant Grace Makutsi played by Anika Noni Rose. Rose is beautiful which always helps but her mannerisms are magnificent. The quirks such as the stuttering trot she often breaks into are nice pieces of consistent characterisation but it is her response to things she has not seen before that is so wonderful. The simple but effective facial response to the end of the beauty pagent where she evidently realises that people are not as simple to pigeon-hole as she believed is a moment of magic where no words were needed. The comedy timing is first rate and Anika Noni Rose is someone to look out for as a special actor, her Grace Makutsi breathes life into this series every time she appears.Not every character is as well acted and the two weakest are the two biggest name British actors. Paterson Joseph as the arch-rival Cephas Buthelezi puts on the worst southern African accent so far heard on television. Colin Salmon as Note Makoti has the physical presence to pull off the aggressive character but is really wooden. These are only fairly minor characters in the grand scheme of the series and not everything can always be perfect.The intelligence of the writing is another great asset. The episode featuring Ramotswe staying in a house and delivering a Miss Marple style whodunnit is a lovely homage but is rolled into the overarching storylines seemlessly. Minor touches like seeing cute street urchin Wellington later be part of an orphanage paid for by one of the characters involved in an earlier crime helps to bring a sense of community. The community is something the series actively fosters and harkens to an era now long gone in the west. The much much slower pace of life in Botswana exists in a country managing its diamond wealth with admirable skill despite the many development needs and the ravages of AIDS. The setting is fabulous and the realistic interpretation of a set of diverse lives in that sparkling African success story is one of the very few fair and non-patronising insights into that part of the world.No.1 introduces some of the issues at stake in Botswana very subtly. Grace Makutski's brother Richard has AIDS and while his character is not expanded he lives a difficult and painful life. More effectively the series introduces the fundamental disparity between the sets of people in the State. The hunter-gatherers who have been losing the battle for supremacy in humanity for tens of thousands of years are shown briefly but excellently. There is a reason that English is the main language for many African States and that is the peoples within do not speak similar languages to one another. The hunters in No.1 live in the hardest parts of the country and have very little compared to the burgeoning economy of the cities and while they may share some values they are clearly a people apart as indicated by the vastly different language spoken. The arrival of an African-American is an interesting interlude and the centuries that separate these people from the continent of Africa underlies everything the American says and does and presents a wholly different world view.While it is a shame there are no extras it is a real treat to have this great series on DVD. One can only hope that sense prevails and further series are put together for what is a truly great production.

Was second hand and stated good condition. Box was in good condition and DVD worked perfectly.

Having read a book in the series I was curious to see how the stories would be translated to the small screen which led to me purchasing the DVD of the TV series. From the first episode I was truly hooked. Jill Scott is perfectly cast as Mma Precious Ramotswe owner of The No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency in Botswana (yes, it's also the ONLY ladies' detective agency, so it can get away with its claim of being number one). Anika Noni Rose plays the very serious Mma Grace Makutsi, the secretary, who gets promoted to Assistant Detective during the series. The two women are completely different in character yet they develop an astonishing bond which is a joy to watch.Lucian Msamati play Mr JLB Matekoni (we never find out what his initials stand for) the proprietor of Speedy Motors and Mma Ramotswe's love interest and good friend. With a host of supporting actors, all doing a splendid job, I watched every episode from start to finish within a day and then watched them all over again!The location shots were superb throughout and the music made me want to visit this quaint little place in Botswana and hug the locals!Each episode contains a plot of it own with some other storylines running in the background throughout the series which make this a joy to watch. This DVD is staying in my permanent collection. It's only a shame they didn't feel audience figures were high enough to make further series from the books.The DVD contains 2 discs with 3 episodes on each disc and no extras beyond English subtitles.

These are absolutely classic and we will watch them over and over again for all the nuances etc.However ...... "The Complete Series" is a bit misleading - I expected more than 6 episodes for the price.But the acting, location, storytelling is superb!You makes your choice - and pays your money

This is one of my favourite DVDs because it is so different from the usual detective stories. It moves along at a gentle 'Botswana' pace as Precious Ramotswe solves problems that are often everyday matters, but serious to those who bring their worries to her.Most of the places where the tales are set are based on real places in Botswana - The orphanage, the churches, schools, hospitals,Zebra Drive, right down to Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors (run by her close friend, Mr J L K Matekoni)-(Lucian Msamati). and I am equally sure that Alex McCall Smith must have built his characters around people he met whilst lecturing at the University in Gaborone. Initially I was unhappy that an American, Jill Scott was given the leading role, but both she and Anika Rose gave brilliant and authentic performances. They are exactly what you would imagine if you have read the books.This DVD is fun,with an easy to follow story line that has lots of twists and turns; stories with a real taste of modern African approach to life without pretentious moralising, and I thoroughly recommend it. Peter H.

The No.1 Detective Agency is run by Precious Ramotswe and her secretary/assistant Mma Makutsi and is the only female detective agency in Botswana. With stories woven amongst the stunning scenery of Africa you are soon transported to another world, where no problem is too small for the Ladies of the detective agency, with Mma Makutsi, the fastest typing secretary in the Gabarone. The acting is superb portraying characters that you soon love and admire with Jill Scott and Anika Noni Rose in the main characters roles accompanied by other fine actors, like Colin Salmon and Lucian Msamati. Each story is unique, and leaves you wanting more. This television series is for family viewing and a delight for all all ages. Based on Alexander McCall Smith's books, I am sure therein lies another series!