Wherein lay this good fortune? First and foremost it was undoubtedly in the casting of John Thaw and Kevin Whately as Morse and Lewis, with much of the credit for this resting with Ted Childs. Second, with the string of distinguished screen-play writers, directors, and producers ITV was able to enlist in the making of the thirty-three Inspector Morse episodes filmed. Third, with the sheer technical brilliance of the camera crews who somehow seemed perpetually enthused and exhilarated by the beauties of Oxford. Indeed, Oxford itself from the outset assumed a leading role in the series, with audiences a little disappointed when the main body of the action was filmed in Australia or Italy or elsewhere. Fourth was the wonderful array of talent among supporting actors and actresses, both established media stars and newcomers alike, from Sir John Gielgud in The Twilight of the Gods to Elizabeth Hurley in Last Seen Wearing. To the best of my knowledge no one ever refused an invitation to take a part in the series, and on visits to Oxford characters as diverse as Ken Dodd and Charlton Heston light-heartedly informed the Oxford Mail that they had only the one remaining ambition in life: to be selected for a minor part in one of the programs. Fifth (and more of this anon), in Barrington Pheloung we had a musical genius. Finally I must mention the contagious camaraderie engendered among the film crews by such wise and experienced producers as Chris Burt.

For a brief while let me dwell separately on one of these factors—Oxford.

Morse’s city, described passim, lived in, and murdered in, is not only the city of great men—scholars, historians, poets, scientists, doctors, churchmen, etc—whose portraits hang proudly in many of the college dining halls used in the Morse episodes. Oxford is, and always was, the city of “Town” as well as “Gown.” And one of my proudest possessions is the following citation: “The Lord Mayor and Oxford City Council place on record their appreciation of the literary talents of Colin Dexter who has been the most visual and the most watched novelist of our City. We are extremely grateful that in his novels he has shown our City as having a distinct and separate identity from its famous University.” I was a bit like Morse myself: quite certainly in the University, but not wholly of the University. And whilst I am indulging in some self-gratification, let me admit to feeling a warm glow (forgive me!) on reading the words of the distinguished novelist and critic, Malcolm Bradbury: “Oxford generally imagines it is famous for dreaming spires, British prime ministers (and American presidents), Mathew Arnold, John Ruskin, Cardinal Newman, and Evelyn Waugh. But it is surely Dexter’s Oxford that has laid the strongest imprint over the contemporary city, and it is the Morse Tour that draws a great proportion of its visitors.” All a bit over the top, I agree.