Foyle's War, of course, differentiates itself a little from the ocean of other detective programmes by setting itself in Hastings, in the middle of World War II. There, Christopher Foyle finds himself solving crimes in part caused by the confusion and calamity of the surrounding war.

This DVD set then brings together a pair of episodes originally broadcast towards the start of 2007. "Bleak Midwinter" starts with the death of one Grace Phillips, an incident originally written off as an accident at a munitions factory, but one that Foyle links to another case and consequently finds his suspicions aroused. "Casualties Of War", meanwhile, brings Foyle's God-daughter to his doorstep, along with her son. But a disappearance, gambling and acts of sabotage also require attention.

Running to over three hours, these two episodes of Foyle's War are played well, diligently put together and enjoyable to watch. Relying less on frills and more on good, traditional stories told by a talented cast, they show Foyle's War to be an evergreen piece of television drama, and make this DVD release a fine investment. --Jon Foster