At first glance, the two toymaking families who share a spacious villa in the leafy London suburb of Blackheath appear to be the era’s picture-perfect examples. But looks can be murderously deceiving.

The Collards and Vandervents are not alone in their house–they are also living with wicked secrets. Thrown together for the sake of the family business, they each harbor dangerous emotions—and equally dangerous habits. Led by the frosty hand of a diabolic matriarch, the extended family also includes a selfish, debauched son; a bitter spinster; an adulterous wife; and a sharp young man who suspects his father’s sudden death wasn’t caused by the hand of God, but by poison.

A police investigation reveals unseemly secrets and an illicit affair that leads to a shocking—and riveting—conclusion. The Blackheath Poisonings, based on the best-selling mystery novel by Julian Symons, and adapted by Simon Raven (Edward and Mrs. Simpson), boldly and brilliantly redefines the Victorian era.

Special DVD features include: selected cast flmographies; selected cast list; biography of host Russell Baker; a link to the Masterpiece Theatre Web site; closed captions; and described video for the visually impaired.

On one DVD9 discs. Region coding: All regions. Audio: Dolby stereo. Screen format: 4x3 full frame.