Product Description

An exceptional and ambitious single film directed by Anthony Minghella and scripted by Richard Curtis (Love Actually), based on the best-selling books series by Alexander McCall Smith. Starring Grammy Award Winning Jill Scott as Precious Remotswe, this is the first BBC drama to be filmed entirely on location in Botswana and the last Minghella work before he passed away. Broadcast on BBC One Easter Sunday 2008.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #876 in DVD
• Released on: 2008-10-27
• Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
• Format: PAL
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 150 minutes

Synopsis
Based on the series of novels by Alexander McCall Smith, THE NO. 1 LADIES DETECTIVE AGENCY stars US soul singer Jill Scott as Mma Ramotswe, a fledgling private detective in Botswana who sets up the country's first female-owned agency. The late Anthony Mingella directed this lavish, charming and satisfyingly faithful adaptation, in addition to co-writing the script with Richard Curtis.

Customer Reviews

An Oustanding Production
Immediately after watching the film premiere on the BBC back in March 2008, I knew that this would be a film for keeps and I've been waiting for the DVD release so that I can watch the film again. It's brilliant.

The film was released as the first in a series to be continued by the BBC, with the filming for the remainder of the episodes due to begin in the summer ('08). It was so sad to hear of director Anthony Minghella's death just a few days before the film was first shown on the BBC. The film is a fitting last testament to his brilliant career and I hope that they can pull off the rest of the episodes as well as this one, without Minghella's direction.

Minghella and the cast really bring to life Alexander McCall Smith's rich and humorous novels of Botswana. The on-location filming is spot on, the scenery beautiful, stark and vivid, the characters warm and superbly cast (Jill Scott is a perfect Mma Ramotswe), and there is a charm to the film which makes you want to laugh, cry and experience Gabarone and Botswana with Mma Ramotswe, Mma Makutsi and the rest of the delightful characters. Tinged with deeper meaning, and some of the darker traditional practices, such as the witchcraft trading in human body parts still to be found underground in parts of the continent, it is the beauty and spirit of Africa that really shines through this film. Its humour and good nature make it a film suitable for the whole family to watch.

An utter delight!
Films of books rarely capture the essence of the characters, scenery etc. This is an exception to the rule. Anthony Minghella stuck firmly to the essence of McAll Smith's books. The characters are well casted from the lead to the smallest part. You will bathe in the heat and sunshine of Botswana. If you're looking for the blood-gushing gore of most detective series you'll be disappointed. This is a super family film.

Love Love Love
What a great DVD! I have all the books and audio books, it is great to see everything brought to life so beautifully. Perfect cast!
Cant wait for more!
Also, look into the other books by A.McC.S. 'Sunday Philosophy Club' and '44 Scotland Street' They are just as good and just keep getting better.
What an exceptional Author!