Father Brown (TV Series) The Chedworth Cyclone (2017) User Reviews

The Chedworth Cyclone

[Prismark10 · 7/10 · 20 July 2018]

Father Brown enters the world of boxing as he helps Jeb Cornish a talented up n coming boxer from a murder charge.

Cornish was a wayward kid but Father Brown introduced him to a boxing club where he learnt discipline. However Inspector Mallory who is slowed down because he is on crutches accuses Cornish for killing a rival in the boxing club who was jealous that Cornish got an area title shot and plays rough with Cornish in a sparring session.

Martin Kemp plays a glamorous wide boy, Dennis Nelson a crooked promoter who uses the sexy charms of his girlfriend Rita Simmons to get what he wants by fair means or foul.

It is a nice layered mystery with Father Brown always one step ahead of Inspector Mallory. I did like the line from Sergeant Goodfellow that the police ignored the illegal side betting in boxing matches as it was not a priority for them. It is an aspect that is often ignored in boxing movies.

Rita Simmons in glamorous lingerie might be a little racy for daytime television. The boxing match is so well staged that it puts a lot of primetime and low budget movies to shame. It is not easy doing spectator scenes in boxing matches as you need loads of extras or resort to CGI. Here Father Brown really pulled it off well.

Engaging episode

[coltras35 · 8/10 · 17 April 2022]

Father Brown is drawn into the shady world of boxing when a local fighter is found dead in suspicious circumstances. An engaging episode that also stars Martin Kemp, who plays a nasty gangster, a role he's done before as the Krays.

True

[safenoe · 7/10 · 23 September 2023]

Martin Kemp, the legendary member of Spandau Ballet, famous for their hit True (hence the name of this review) guest stars in The Chedworth Cyclone which is about boxing, before Rocky became the hit it did back in the 70s.

Bill Fellows plays Teddy O'Connell, and I'm sure that Bill could easily play Kenny Rogers in a biopic. Anyway, the boxing scenes are okay, and kind of is fit for the Kembleford style of life init. Anyway, there's a tug of war emotionally speaking in The Chedworth Cycle and it gets emotional init.

I'm enjoying watching Father Brown for daytime TV, along with Magnum, P. I. and Superstore.

Great episode with a fine performance from Martin Kemp.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 9/10 · 24 January 2018]

Father Brown had a hand in getting Jeb Cornish back on the straight and narrow, now a talented boxer, an imminent fight could see him into the big time. A jealous rival, Roy Tompkins is found dead follow a spat with Jeb in the ring, and Mallory is quick to believe Jeb was the perpetrator.

This was a very good episode, the first thing that struck me was the cinematography, it looks so impressive, the fight scenes were excellent, very well staged and believable. Excellent guest performances, Bill Fellows was very good, Martin Kemp was fabulous, so well cast, he brought a real star quality to the show. As a mystery it's very good, perhaps not the crime you'd expect, but the story unfolds well.

Mrs McCarthy once again steals the laugh, going from being a pained boxing spectator to totally engrossed by the excitement. I can't really pick any faults with this episode, it's a cracker.