Rumpole: The Penge Bungalow Murders and other stories

Three BBC Radio 4 dramatisations

By: John Mortimer

Narrated by: Benedict Cumberbatch, Timothy West, full cast, Jasmine Hyde, Cathy Sara

Benedict Cumberbatch plays the young, feisty, devastatingly acute Horace Rumpole in this collection of cracking cases, also starring Timothy West as the older Rumpole.

Rumpole and the Penge Bungalow Murders: It is the '50s, and two war heroes have been shot dead. Defending the suspect is deemed hopeless, so the case is handed to a novice. But the novice's superiors didn't count on the tenacity and wit of the young and hungry Horace Rumpole as he defends the accused alone and without a leader for the very first time. This two-part adaptation of the novel by John Mortimer also marks the beginning of Rumpole's lifelong liaison with Hilda ("She Who Must Be Obeyed").

Rumpole and the Family Pride: We rejoin Rumpole and Hilda in the late 1950s, when they have been married for a year or two. Hilda's cousin lives with her husband, the 17th Baron Sackbut, in Sackbut Castle on the Yorkshire Moors. Hilda and Rumpole are invited to the castle when a body is found in the grounds. Meanwhile, in London, Rumpole defends a tramp who has confessed to a triple murder.

Rumpole and the Eternal Triangle: When Rumpole and Hilda attend a concert performed by The Casterini Trio, Rumpole is surprised to be approached by Elizabeth Casterini - the trio's beautiful violinist. But then, the trio's cellist, Tom Randall, is murdered. Elizabeth's husband is arrested, and Rumpole agrees to defend him at the Old Bailey.

Duration: 3 hrs approx.

©2017 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2017 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Critic reviews

"A deliciously fun listen." (Audiofile Magazine)

I am hooked. Mysteries have always intrigued me.

Radio Shows were always a big deal growing up. This fits the bill. Great Performances

great read and Mr Cumberbatch is the man!

I highly enjoyed the stories and what else can i say about Mr Cumberbatch? I will listen to any book he's narrating.

Excellent Adaptation

Great stories, with a full cast. Timothy West as the old Rumpole really shines. This really brings these stories to life.

Finally, something Cumberbatch can't nail

I love the Rumpole series, and this story is excellent. The adaptation is good.

I found these performances lacking the inherent kindness of spirit which lives under Rumpole's desiccated humor, a quality that Leo McKern portrayed so magnificently. Benedict Cumberbatch seemed to render the role as more like a stereotypical tv barrister, rather than embracing the quirky sweetness of the character. BC is what John Cleese might call a "white-face clown", the one who needs control and, in order to be funny, has to lose control with conviction. Not yet something Mr C can manage, though I have no doubt he could learn to do that, too.

The script was adjusted to accommodate Cumberbatch's sex appeal -- making Rumpole more poley, if less rummy. Nice to think Rumpole *did* have some fun along the way!

Rumpole by any other name would still be marvelous

very good casting. Everyone was brought to life perfectly. I was glad that no one tried to imitate LeoMckernan (sp).