Please don't spend money on this.

Entertaining from beginning to end, it maintains the spirit of the franchise while establishing it's own seal with a fun cast

It's hard to see any effort in the film. There's no comedy to speak of, no real drama and, worst of all.

Clever and entertaining enough to recommend even to members of the 1%

These 80-minute versions of Murder She Wrote do manage to bring out the best in the scriptwriters - a chance to breathe a bit deeper than usual.In Virginia, Jessica discovers a family link with a young black woman historian Cassandra, whose ancestor Sam was a slave owned by Jessica's ancestor Sarah. I immediately hoped they'd go into flashback, with Jessica in costume, and I wasn't disappointed.The scene is a big farmhouse wedding in 1860, the eve of civil war, where one observer says "Let's hope that this whole thing can be resolved without bloodshed" - a statement that would turn out deeply ironic. Sarah is in favour of paying Sam for some of his duties, but this heightens the divisions between the abolitionists and the slave-power. When the bridegroom is shot dead, Sam is the immediate suspect, and Sarah demands that he should be given a fair trial. But Sam urges her not to waste her time trying to fight for truth and justice. And sure enough, the local farmers hunt him down like a dog.Back in the present day, Jessica and Cassandra find themselves arguing with the curator of a historical museum, who believes in 'truth' or preserving the Southern cultural heritage - a slightly ambiguous agenda. When Cassandra finds her car booby-trapped outside the museum, history seems to be repeating itself. The underground railroad (the safe-house network where slaves were smuggled to freedom) turns out to be a big part of the story - as revealed by a 100-year old woman who can remember it. The dates may not quite fit, but it doesn't hurt the story too much.Sam is played magnificently by Michael Jace, deeply convincing as the long-suffering slave with the noble character who can rise above his captive status. So it was doubly shocking, just the other week, to see him jailed for 40 years for murdering his wife.

Outstanding television movie involving the sleuthing of one Jessica Fletcher, played to the hilt by the great Angela Lansbury.This civil war tale has Jessica going back in time over 100 years, as her aunt, and with a wonderful southern accent, Lansbury pulls this off in a very good, profound performance.Scars are brought out in this tale of injustice, murder and ultimate redemption. In the modern day south, there is still the call for our life being preserved, even if this meant hatred.Phylicia Rashad guests as a black author trying to see if she can vindicate her great-grandfather of murder. We view a tale of misery through slavery, the revelation of the Underground Railroad, as well as bigotry at its worst. In her southern version, Jessica, as her aunt, comes across as a kindly woman, sympathetic to the plight of slaves. There is no southern proper judgment for its slaves as we soon see.The picture is extra good, because the supposed obvious murder isn't the guilty party, but rather someone you would never expect.Gloria Stuart appears in one scene as the great-granddaughter of a man who participated in the Underground Railway movement.

Apart from starting off a tad slow and one or two of the props and extra took away from the authenticity of the period, this is a very good and well executed TV movie, based off the wonderful TV show. It looks wonderful, not only in the present day but especially in the flashbacks, where the costumes, photography, sets and scenery are marvellous. The music is a delight too, playful and memorable yet is dramatic in places as well. The dialogue is good enough too, the direction is fine and the story is well written and dramatic with a very poignant and equally dramatic ending. The acting is excellent, Angela Lansbury once again gives a very strong performance but I was also delighted by how dignified and integral Michael Jace was as Sam. Overall, a really very good TV movie. 8/10 Bethany Cox

WARNING: LIGHT SPOILERS AHEADThis piece has wonderful historical elements in addition to a well written script. Angela turns in a predictably enjoyable performance as Jessica Fletcher, as well as in the role of Sarah McCullough, her own great aunt.Phylicia Rashad, in the role of Cassandra Hawkins is both intriguing and firey. That the 2 don't get along based on views of how history should be used/interpreted/shared adds a nice element to this well constructed who-dunnit. That it's an historical murder makes it all the more fascinating to us history buffs.Phylicia and Angela work very well together in this movie -- well worth watching for Jessica Fletcher fans and History buffs alike!