Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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123 of 128 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
dont miss it twice, 24 Mar 2006
I dont remember this being on telly and neither does anyone else I've asked but dont let its anonymity put you off, its a very good series.
There are 4 well written and gripping cases shown with David Hayman & Kate Buffery playing 2 detectives with differing styles of approach and personality.These 2 play their roles well and without any scene stealing theatrics. The screen is instead stolen by the various villains, mad,regretful and just plain horrid, but always memorable.
From child murder to stomach churning attacks on women the series is unflinching in its honesty and those of a more fragile disposition should really look elsewhere as the subjects are disturbing and the camera not afraid to look at the brutal results of the crimes committed.
As the series progresses you learn a little more of those regularly involved but this is not what these programmes are about, rather just enough info. is handed out to ensure you care about them, but its the crimes and the criminals that are looked at the most closely.
Too often nowadays 2 hours or more are given over to police dramas with storylines so thin that an hour would be generous. Such is not the case here however. Each lasts well over 3 hours and no time is wasted, the time passes quickly and at the end, even though the final court desision may disapoint,(just like real life), you are never left wondering about lost plot strands or characters, everything is carefully brought together and explained.
There are only 4 episodes but,as I said, at over 3 hours each and at the very reasonable price it can be purchased for, this represents good value for money and is sure to keep you gripped.
Sound is clear and dialogue well centered and easily followed. The picture is fine without grain and with good detail and colour for a 10 year old television series.
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28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic, gripping drama, 18 Sep 2007
If you are looking for something to watch now that the autumn evenings are nearly upon us, then look no further. Although this series came out in the 90's it is one of the best crime dramas around. Miss Marple it isnt! It is a brutal and honest portrayal of a murder squad and Linda La Plante creates some real twists and turns along the way. Episode 2 has got one of the nastiest men I've ever watched.
Just fantastic acting - the 2 main leads are really good. This is excellent value for money - am definitely going to get the second lot of episodes.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A classic series!, 31 Mar 2009
This collection of Trial and Retribution contains the first four series of what is now an absolute classic TV show, and (at just over a fiver) is very reasonably priced indeed.
The premise of the show is well described by the box itself: 'prepare for a level of criminal insight never before experienced, as you view every single aspect of a serious crime - from the act being perpetrated, through the investigation and arrests, before arriving at the law courts for a dramatic finale. You are then charged with reaching your own judgement of whether or not justice has been done.' This is precisely what you get. To call the show 'ground-breaking' or 'innovative' does not quite do it justice. Though it has somewhat lost its way in the recent episodes, these early series of T&R are truly crime drama at its fullest, most detailed and very best.
The two main characters, who are charged with investigating each case, are Mike Walker #David Hayman# and Pat North #Kate Buffery# who both put in excellent, and at times very under-stated, performances as they are forced to deal with the various harrowing cases. As the series progress we gradually learn more and more about their personal lives, which is nice. The first four series are entirely written and produced by acclaimed crime writer Lynda La Plante.
Episode 1 #1997# - 'Anita Harris is about to experience a mother's worst nightmare - her five-year-old daughter has gone missing. When a young policeman makes a gruesome discovery, a murder investigation is launched led by DS Mike Walker, an old-fashioned Detective determined to find the killer at all costs. With little evidence and only one unreliable witness, Walker is stretched to the limit - but can he find enough proof to bring charges? Guest-starring Rhys Ifans #Notting Hill# and Corin Redgrave, this is intelligent and addictive drama at its very best.'
The series starts on an absolute high with an extremely emotional episode, with outstanding performances all round. Eastender's Jake Wood #Max Branning# puts in a moving performance as the young, traumatised police man, as does the distraught and unstable mother. The ending lacks a twist, and may even seem a little insufficient at first, but you quickly realise that a cold conclusion is a trade-mark of T&R. Length - 200 mins approx. Verdict - 8/10
Episode 2 #1998# - `Three women are found horrifically assaulted - two are dead, the third is barely alive. There is immediately no shortage of suspects, and no shortage of confessions. Yet as Walker and North question the surviving woman, vital clues to the identity of the real killer emerge. Why do all those involved show an unnatural devotion to Damon Morton #Iain Glen# and can the Murder Investigation Team succeed in bringing him to justice? Guest-starring Iain Glenn and Simon Callow, this is a highly charged and knife-edged journey inside the mind of a serial killer.'
The second episode is every bit as good as the first, with an even more shocking conclusion. Iain Glen plays possibly the most evil villain seen on television in decades, and the graphic mortuary shots will leave you recoiling in horror in your seat. Length - 201 mins approx. Verdict - 9/10
Episode 3 #1999# - `Walker is leading a new team investigating the murder of a young papergirl. The only suspect is the owner of a boathouse where blood stained clothes are found - but there is little obvious motive. North has been transferred to the Vice Squad where a routine call to appease a persistent complainer spirals into something far more sinister. With two suspects on the stand, but only one man guilty, can the jury unravel the complex web of lies and see justice done? Guest-starring Richard E. Grant and Simon Callow, this is a deeply compelling and moving psychological story.'
The third episode is, in my opinion, the best of the lot. Richard E. Grant puts in an outstandingly good performance and the script is Lynda La Plante's sharpest yet. We also get to see much more of Walker and North's personal lives here. Length - 196 mins approx. Verdict - 10/10
Episode 4 #2000# - `Having been fast-tracked into a new Home Office promotional scheme, North finds herself re-investigating an eight-year-old murder case in which James McCready was convicted of killing his gay lover. Walker is having trouble accepting new politically correct police methods, but resentment at North's rapid recognition turns to shock when he finds out his partner is actually investigating him and his role in the McCready conviction. McCready himself is mild mannered and is convinced that Walker was prejudiced against him. Could Walker have tampered with evidence to frame an innocent man? Guest-starring James Wilby and Corin Redgrave.
Comfortably the weakest of the episodes, this fourth series is fairly predictable throughout with little in the way of surprise #this isn't helped by a very underwhelming performance from James Wilby, as McCready#. Corin Redgrave returns as a barrister #who has a recurring role similar to Simon Callow# and we also learn more about Walker's past. Length -195 mins approx. Verdict - 7/10
Each episode is filmed in split-screen #used extensively in the first two series and to a lesser extent in the third and fourth#, a technique since used by the popular American drama '24', mostly to either refresh your memory of a character or past event as they are discussed or to show you multiple angles in the court-room. With each episode well over three hours, the RRP is really phenomenally low. The picture quality is fairly good and without grain.
The special features only stretch as far as an interview with Lynda La Plante #which is very interesting admittedly# and production trailers - which should absolutely not be watched before the programmes themselves, as they basically just outline the plot of each episode.
All in all a truly remarkable series, which #in the next three DVD collections# just goes from strength to strength.
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