Edge Of Darkness - The Complete Series [1985] [DVD]

Edge of Darkness (1985) took the thriller serial to a new level of ambition, addressing the rising tide of environmental awareness--in parallel with John Boorman's The Emerald Forest (also 1985)--and asking such unflinching questions as what is the price of justice, and who, ultimately, rules Britain? If this sounds too worthy, the series' triumph was to address these concerns in the form of the most nerve-shredding, intense and dangerous television adventure yet screened. This tape presents the final three episodes, Craven (Bob Peck) going way beyond the point of no return as the secrets of Northmoor lead to an emotionally shattering, unforgettable conclusion. Troy Kennedy-Martin's brilliantly constructed story here confidentially exceeds the confines of any previous TV thriller, ending as an apocalyptic epic with global implications. Kennedy-Martin had previously written for The Sweeney, and here wedded that series violent cynicism to a spiralling maelstrom of a plot which echoed both The Medusa Touch and The Ipcress File. He next teamed mix-nationality investigators in the predictable but entertaining Schwarzenegger vehicle Red Heat, while Bob Peck starred in Jurassic Park and director Martin Campbell went on to Criminal Law, Goldeneye and The Mask of Zorro. --Gary S. Dalkin

Groundbreaking environmental-espionage shocker Edge of Darkness (1985) begins routinely enough but then ratchets the suspense to levels that would have turned Hitchcock green with envy. Emma Craven (Joanne Whalley in her first starring role) is a young environmental activist killed in mysterious circumstances. Emma's father Ron Craven (Bob Peck in a star-making performance) will not be silenced and, as a police detective, is uniquely positioned to pursue his own unofficial investigation. He moves from grief to a determination to find the truth, all the while advised and comforted by Emma, but is she a ghost or a manifestation of his haunted psyche? Craven digs deeper, uncovering labyrinthine conspiracy in the nuclear industry and, as the body-count rises, encounters the garrulous CIA agent Darius Jedburgh (a superb Joe Don Baker) with a mysterious agenda of his own. Accompanied by a haunting musical score by Michael Kamen and Eric Clapton, Edge of Darkness builds on the legacy of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and Smiley's People to become quite simply the best television thriller ever.

On the DVD: Edge of Darkness is presented on a two-disc set with the original six episodes complete and unedited (unlike the previous DVD release). The picture and sound has been improved, too, though the 4:3 image still suffers from the graininess of having been shot on 16 mm film and the sound is still unspectacular mono. The main extra is an excellent new 35-minute documentary, "Magnox: the Secrets of Edge of Darkness", with input from producer Michael Wearing, writer Troy Kennedy-Martin, composer Michael Kamen, stars John Woodvine, Charles Kay and Ian McNeice and archive footage with Bob Peck and Joe Don Baker. A notable bonus for fans of Eric Clapton and Kamen's highly atmospheric score is an isolated music track, unfortunately in mono. Less significant are a routine photo gallery, an alternative edit of the final end title and promotional segments from Breakfast Time and Pebble Mill. A BAFTA Award feature (the series won six) is more engaging, as is a roundtable review from Did You See?. --Gary S. Dalkin

This futuristic chiller features music by Michael Kamen and Eric Clapton. Escorting his daughter home from college, Detective Inspector Craven watches helplessly as she is gunned down in cold blood. Hell-bent on revenge, his search for her killer leads him on a terrifying one-way trip to the heart of the nuclear state.

Running Time: 330 minutes + 71 minutes approx.

• Eric Clapton and Michael Kamen's BAFTA award winning score
  
• Bob Peck interview from BBC Breakfast Time programme
  
• The BAFTAs 1986 - including interviews with Bob Peck and Joe Don Baker
  
• BBC Arts programme Did You See ...? reviews Edge of Darkness
  
• Magnox - The Secrets of Edge of Darkness. Featuring contributions from writer Troy Kennedy Martin, producer Michael Wearing, composer Michael Kamen, and actors Bob Peck, Ian McNeice, Charles Kay and John Woodvine, series technical advisor Walt Patterson and visual effects designer Mat Irvine.
  
• The Broadcasting Press Guild Awards 1986 - featuring interviews with producer Michael Wearing and actor Bob Peck

DVD Technical Information:

• Region Code: 2 and 4

United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 2.4 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Mono ), English ( Subtitles ), SPECIAL FEATURES: 2-DVD Set, Cast/Crew Interview(s), Interactive Menu, SYNOPSIS: The British government's nuclear policy is in for a royal drubbing in the tense BBC-TV miniseries Edge of Darkness. Bob Peck stars as London police detective Ron Craven, whose political-activist daughter is murdered right before his eyes. Meticulously following the trail of clues, Craven uncovers a dark conspiracy involving the government and the powerful American CEO of a nuclear power plant. Joe Don Baker and a young Joanne Whaley-Kilmer co-star. The six-part series became a cult favorite in England, where it originally aired in November and December of 1985. All 307 minutes of Edge of Darkness are currently available on video. SCREENED/AWARDED AT: BAFTA Awards, ...Edge of Darkness