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.

While doing a bit of studying for a course during the day, this TV movie popped on the tele. I was about to begin the channel hopping process to find something more suitable for background watching when the title flashed up 'Murder, She Wrote'. Now I'm no massive fan of the show, but I'll admit that I do enjoy repeats when I see them; no exceptions here.The opening attracts the viewer right away. It's the classic 'whodunit' model as we see an African-American fellow running from an angry mob of Southerners. This is great scene-setting, as almost everyone can gather from these establishing shots and the props that we're way back during the times of black slavery. The final shot before we flash-forward to the modern day is literally a shot (from a gun). We don't see who shoots the man looking to escape, but we want to know who.To find out who fired the gun and reach the dramatic climax, we need some present-day detective work from none other than Jessica Fletcher and her great Southern Aunt, Sarah McCullough (an initially laughable technique to put Jessica Fletcher in the past, but ultimately very effective).The man that we saw running and, presumably, shot is Sam; a black slave owned by Sarah. Sam is accused of murdering a white man and from there on in it's classic Murder, She Wrote.The acting is really something special. The stand-out for me is Michael Jace as Sam. What a wonderful performance, delivered with such skill and integrity - considering the subject matter. Angela Lansbury (who was around about 75 when this was filmed) is as strong as ever in arguably her most famous role.My only problem was with some of the props and the haircuts/facial hair. For some reason, they took me out of the immersion that the telemovie had so far provided; a few of the extras looked as if they were modern day people dressed in costume, bah! Nonetheless, this is a good telemovie and yet another great outing from Jessica Fletcher. 8/10 Oh, and happy birthday Angela Lansbury. Just turned 84 and I hear she's on Broadway again, brilliant!

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!