Comment on the representation of Englishness in Midsomer Murders

Midsomer Murders is a British television drama which has aired on TV since 1997, englishenness plays a large part in the programme as that's what gives an edge over other TV crime dramas. Mise en scene plays a large part in midosmer murders as its gives character to watch. Largecsape plays a large part in the englishness of midomer murders such as the county town is Causton, a middle-sized town where Detective Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby lives with his wife and where the Criminal Investigation Department is located.

The surrounding area where midomer murders is set consists of thatched roofs and cottages this is a typical view of englishness, I feel that the the surrounding housing plays a large part in the programme as it a much more noticeable prop given a distinct view and feel to the location. If we focus on a particular episode we can understand that at the beginning of the clip we can get the feeling that they are really trying to focus on the englishness of the country side, such as the farm land and woodlands.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drXkoge-eWQ 

From this clip we can see straight from the beginning that a typical old fashioned English song is being played with a slow camera movement across lush thick green vegetation, slowly coming to some old hangers this gives an english feel already as it reminds the viewer of the english war history. The camera shot moves straight to a very typical old fashioned English car this is an instant reminder of the englishness represented in the TV drama, romance is seen when the camera shot moves round the car to a couple kissing the male character is wearing a leather jacket which is a stereo typical costume to romance and an old fashioned theme.

The start of the clip after the murder scene had been viewed is a variety of shots of a character running round the village this is a good effective way of allowing the viewer to see the villiage from a large view and from many angles. Also the camera pauses on certain Iconic views such as a old english pub, and the old horse and cart which really symbolises englishness. From the clip we can see that clothing plays a major part in creating a feeling of englishness, as 3.14 minutes into the clip a male character dressed in a smart clothes and a flat cap is walking to a village venue where  old fashioned music is playing. That man knocks on the door and turns round saying she knows we have bowling know, this again creates a representation of englishness. Sound also is a key part in the TV Drama as there is a lot of non digetic sound used in the programme as its not a busy vibrant place natural sounds are not produced this shows the represetnataion of englishness of a typical quite village, so sounds effects are added giving a sense of eeriness and englishness at the same time. Midomer somer murders represents english in an obvious way with the typical thatched cottages and open spance of farmland, its format is very different to other crimes dramas due to its simplicity.