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Amazon.co.uk Review
The fact that John Thaw was able to make his eponymous character in Kavanagh QC stand out as a unique personality distinct from the superficially similar Inspector Morse says much about his understated skills as an actor. Thaw brought his trademark mixture of curmudgeonly belligerence and gruff sensitivity to Kavanagh, but the barrister--who first appeared on our screens in 1995 while the Oxford detective was still alive and kicking--is no polished-up Morse. He is far worldlier, is married and has a family. And although he is often troubled by his cases, he is never afraid to play the system. He knows that there are devious, even superficial lawyers, some of them in his own chambers, who he must face across the courtroom, but he acknowledges them as an unavoidable aspect of the world in which he works.
The plots are often convoluted, but Kavanagh's wielding of the trusty sword of truth is always irresistible, particularly when the case involves some kind of high-level government aberration. "The End of Law" is a case in point; a particularly nasty tale about an unexceptional businessman framed for a murder which covers up an unpleasant security scandal. It's dark and dirty and full of troubling compromises. In the end, as with most of his cases, Kavanagh's craggy features convey a subtle hint of the sourness which comes with his chosen territory. --Piers Ford
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Every person who enjoys courtroom dramas will like Kavanagh QC.
John Thaw is impeccable as James Kavanagh, a man of convictions and integrity,juggling with a time-consuming job and his concern for his family. The other cast members are equally good and the stories always interesting with , very often, a subtle twist at the end.
Dealing with people, emotions, prejudice... never lachrymose or overtly sentimental, it makes very good viewing.
John Thaw is impeccable as James Kavanagh, a man of convictions and integrity,juggling with a time-consuming job and his concern for his family. The other cast members are equally good and the stories always interesting with , very often, a subtle twist at the end.
Dealing with people, emotions, prejudice... never lachrymose or overtly sentimental, it makes very good viewing.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
The opening episode introduces the main characters of the collection. James is a gruff, northern barrister, whose once radical outlook introduced him to his aristocratic wife, Lizzie. His rebellious son and love-struck daughter complete the household, whilst the cautious Peter and arrogant Jeremy feature as two of his more prominent colleagues.
Each of the first series episodes resolves around the themes of sex or relationships. Nothing But The Truth involves a rape trial, set against the background of the Kavanaghs' own family troubles. This episode is a textbook example of a legal drama: a clear conflict of evidence; sharp cross-examination uncovering inconsistencies on both sides; a new dimension through a post-trial twist. Ewan McGregor delivers a convincing performance as the accused, but it is Geraldine James's role, as the interrogating prosecutor, which marks out the episode.
Heartland forms a moving tale of the private prosecution of an ex-police officer, set in a crime-run northern town. When a pedestrian is critically injured by a car, his mother refuses to believe that it was just an accident. Jeolousy provides a motive, but can Kavanagh uncover enough evidence to prove the driver's intent?
A Family Affair departs from Kavanagh's criminal workload, as he takes his first family case. Kavanagh represents a father in a custody trial, where both parents resort to unpleasant tactics. Jeremy becomes embroiled in devious tactics too, as he enlists support to be nominated as a Tory candidate.
The Sweetest Thing completes the first series. A prostitute, embittered by years of abuse, is accused of mudering a businessman in a hotel room. The circumstantial evidence against her is compelling, but can Kavanagh cast enough doubt on it to set her free?
Each episode makes compelling viewing. With their cliffhanger plots and superb acting, the first two episodes are probably the strongest, but the series as a whole deserves a five star rating.
Each of the first series episodes resolves around the themes of sex or relationships. Nothing But The Truth involves a rape trial, set against the background of the Kavanaghs' own family troubles. This episode is a textbook example of a legal drama: a clear conflict of evidence; sharp cross-examination uncovering inconsistencies on both sides; a new dimension through a post-trial twist. Ewan McGregor delivers a convincing performance as the accused, but it is Geraldine James's role, as the interrogating prosecutor, which marks out the episode.
Heartland forms a moving tale of the private prosecution of an ex-police officer, set in a crime-run northern town. When a pedestrian is critically injured by a car, his mother refuses to believe that it was just an accident. Jeolousy provides a motive, but can Kavanagh uncover enough evidence to prove the driver's intent?
A Family Affair departs from Kavanagh's criminal workload, as he takes his first family case. Kavanagh represents a father in a custody trial, where both parents resort to unpleasant tactics. Jeremy becomes embroiled in devious tactics too, as he enlists support to be nominated as a Tory candidate.
The Sweetest Thing completes the first series. A prostitute, embittered by years of abuse, is accused of mudering a businessman in a hotel room. The circumstantial evidence against her is compelling, but can Kavanagh cast enough doubt on it to set her free?
Each episode makes compelling viewing. With their cliffhanger plots and superb acting, the first two episodes are probably the strongest, but the series as a whole deserves a five star rating.
Format:DVD
The third series almost meets the extremely high benchmark set in the first and second.
Two of the episodes are dominated by the aftermath of war. In Mute of Malice, the relationship between two brothers returning from the war in Bosnia is strained by accusations of rivalry and a pending fraud trial. After one of the brothers is found shot dead, James perseveres in trying to uncover the true motive behind the apparent admission of guilt by the other. In the meantime, James's colleague, Jeremy, struggles to come to terms with a judge even more pompous than himself.
In Ancient History, by contrast, James confronts a scientist accused of conducting gruesome experiments on prisoners in a concentration camp. The solemnity of the episode reflects the subject matter, but the coverage afforded to each of the witnesses is too brief and superficial to allow the characters to become fully developed.
Christopher Eccleston delivers a fine performance in The Ties That Bind, where he faces a private prosecution for murder. James has a difficult role as a prosecutor, with his sole witness terrified by the defendant's intimidating family. Meanwhile, Jeremy's temper becomes frayed, as a misunderstanding overshadows his application to join a gentleman's club.
Litigation against a hospital trust is the subject of Blood Money. Sheila Hancock plays an apparently wealthy widow whose quest to sue the cash-strapped trust produces a rather unexpected outcome.
James returns to practicing criminal law in Diplomatic Baggage, where he suspects Foreign Office interference in the trial of a diplomat's daughter for murder. Despite a far-fetched plot, Lena Heady delivers a convincing performance as the accused.
Political interference in the justice system is also the subject of the final episode. In God We Trust concerns a convicted murderer on death row, as James is called to Florida to lead the defence fighting an ultra-conservative state governor. But it's James's private life that brings the series to an unhappy end.
Ancient History merits three stars. The other episodes each merit four, apart from Mute of Malice, whose intriguing theme deserves the full five.
Two of the episodes are dominated by the aftermath of war. In Mute of Malice, the relationship between two brothers returning from the war in Bosnia is strained by accusations of rivalry and a pending fraud trial. After one of the brothers is found shot dead, James perseveres in trying to uncover the true motive behind the apparent admission of guilt by the other. In the meantime, James's colleague, Jeremy, struggles to come to terms with a judge even more pompous than himself.
In Ancient History, by contrast, James confronts a scientist accused of conducting gruesome experiments on prisoners in a concentration camp. The solemnity of the episode reflects the subject matter, but the coverage afforded to each of the witnesses is too brief and superficial to allow the characters to become fully developed.
Christopher Eccleston delivers a fine performance in The Ties That Bind, where he faces a private prosecution for murder. James has a difficult role as a prosecutor, with his sole witness terrified by the defendant's intimidating family. Meanwhile, Jeremy's temper becomes frayed, as a misunderstanding overshadows his application to join a gentleman's club.
Litigation against a hospital trust is the subject of Blood Money. Sheila Hancock plays an apparently wealthy widow whose quest to sue the cash-strapped trust produces a rather unexpected outcome.
James returns to practicing criminal law in Diplomatic Baggage, where he suspects Foreign Office interference in the trial of a diplomat's daughter for murder. Despite a far-fetched plot, Lena Heady delivers a convincing performance as the accused.
Political interference in the justice system is also the subject of the final episode. In God We Trust concerns a convicted murderer on death row, as James is called to Florida to lead the defence fighting an ultra-conservative state governor. But it's James's private life that brings the series to an unhappy end.
Ancient History merits three stars. The other episodes each merit four, apart from Mute of Malice, whose intriguing theme deserves the full five.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
A real twist in the tail.
To start with, a bouquet for Amazon. I have purchased many DVD's from them and all have arrived here at the other end of the world quickly and in excellent condition. Read more
Published on 31 Dec 2009 by P. B. Brown
john thaw at his best
this is a fantastic series, no swearing good for all ages, the court room is charged with energh, non stop drama. Read more
Published on 18 Feb 2005 by Mrs. D. J. Brown
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