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Product Description
A gripping conspiracy thriller starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Christopher Eccleston, Lesley Sharp, Sir Antony Sher, Rafe Spall, Kierston Wareing and Stephen Rea.
Detective Inspector Jonah Gabriel (Ejiofor) takes on his first case since being shot in a botched police operation that left his partner dead. The new case involves investigating the murder of recently pardoned, drug baron Harvey Wratten. On the other side of the criminal divide, Joseph Bede (Eccleston), a former associate of Wratten’s, is moved to make his own enquiries.
As Gabriel, dogged by amnesia and suspicious colleagues, follows a complicated line of investigation and Bede becomes increasingly desperate to see through a massive drugs operation that will enable him to step out of the business forever, the enigmatic and ruthless Gatehouse (Rea) emerges from the shadows to bring the story to a shocking climax…
Special Features:
Deleted Scenes
Detective Inspector Jonah Gabriel (Ejiofor) takes on his first case since being shot in a botched police operation that left his partner dead. The new case involves investigating the murder of recently pardoned, drug baron Harvey Wratten. On the other side of the criminal divide, Joseph Bede (Eccleston), a former associate of Wratten’s, is moved to make his own enquiries.
As Gabriel, dogged by amnesia and suspicious colleagues, follows a complicated line of investigation and Bede becomes increasingly desperate to see through a massive drugs operation that will enable him to step out of the business forever, the enigmatic and ruthless Gatehouse (Rea) emerges from the shadows to bring the story to a shocking climax…
Special Features:
Deleted Scenes
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This BBC 7-parter had been sitting around unviewed since way back last year. Finally gave it a spin at the weekend - well that was it, pretty well impossible just to watch one part with the next one sitting there waiting for you! Gripping, each episode leaves you wanting the next one, as I write this it's 5 down, 2 to go. Brilliant performances from everyone, particularly the young Spall (with a great David Walliams impression), Ecclestone and the spooky Mr Not-so-nice guy from Stephen Rea, and Anthony Sher.
Possibly a bit heavy on the violence for some, but a must see - watch this and be thankful we've still got a BBC to produce this sort of quality programme - there's so much more to TV than Midsommer Murders!!
Possibly a bit heavy on the violence for some, but a must see - watch this and be thankful we've still got a BBC to produce this sort of quality programme - there's so much more to TV than Midsommer Murders!!
84 of 91 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
All too often these days on British television, crime dramas and murder mysteries insist on spoon-feeding the viewer the facts, before arriving at a nicely wrapped-up conclusion, laden with exposition as to whodunnit, whydunnit and how. Thankfully, 'The Shadow Line' is not one of those programmes, but in a good way. Namely, it shows, but doesn't tell. It doesn't insult your intelligence, a rarity in TV these days.
The lengthy opening scene sets the tone for the rest of the series. Two police officers inspecting a car, one dead body inside. The body is Harvey Wratten's, an infamous underworld drug baron recently released from prison after a mysterious and unexpected royal pardon. It soon becomes clear that this is far more than just a gangland assassination, and that there may or may not have been police involvement. Investigating is DI Jonah Gabriel, a disillusioned cop just returned to the force, recovering from an attempt on his life that left him with a bullet in his brain and a serious case of amnesia. We follow Gabriel as he delves into Wratten's murder and the drug-trafficking scene, uncovering far more than he would like.
Make no mistake: this is a pitch-dark, almost noir-ish crime drama, about morally compromised characters and the lengths that they will go to to survive. There have been (unrealistic) comparisons made to 'The Wire' and 'The Killing', but you'll enjoy it a lot more if you just take it for what it is.
Chiwetel Ejiofor is brilliantly understated as Gabriel, struggling to juggle his personal and professional lives, which sometimes coincide as a result of his amnesia. Praise also for Christopher Eccleston as Bede, essentially the underworld foil for Gabriel, trying to keep a business afloat while watching his wife rapidly succumb to Alzheimer's.... Read more ›
The lengthy opening scene sets the tone for the rest of the series. Two police officers inspecting a car, one dead body inside. The body is Harvey Wratten's, an infamous underworld drug baron recently released from prison after a mysterious and unexpected royal pardon. It soon becomes clear that this is far more than just a gangland assassination, and that there may or may not have been police involvement. Investigating is DI Jonah Gabriel, a disillusioned cop just returned to the force, recovering from an attempt on his life that left him with a bullet in his brain and a serious case of amnesia. We follow Gabriel as he delves into Wratten's murder and the drug-trafficking scene, uncovering far more than he would like.
Make no mistake: this is a pitch-dark, almost noir-ish crime drama, about morally compromised characters and the lengths that they will go to to survive. There have been (unrealistic) comparisons made to 'The Wire' and 'The Killing', but you'll enjoy it a lot more if you just take it for what it is.
Chiwetel Ejiofor is brilliantly understated as Gabriel, struggling to juggle his personal and professional lives, which sometimes coincide as a result of his amnesia. Praise also for Christopher Eccleston as Bede, essentially the underworld foil for Gabriel, trying to keep a business afloat while watching his wife rapidly succumb to Alzheimer's.... Read more ›
18 of 20 people found the following review helpful
By David T
Format:DVD
Just Finished watching the seventh and final part of Hugo Blick's complex thriller again.The ending is both overdone and rushed which is a shame as this was building up nicely and promised to be a one heck of a finish.
Having said that, episodes 2 to 6 were edge of your seat stuff, leaving you impatiently waiting for the next week.
This was an intelligently written thriller with an excellent cast featuring Christopher Eccleston,Rafe Spall,Eve Best and Anthony Sher.
However it is Stephen Rea's brilliant performance as the chilling Gatehouse that makes this one of the best thrillers you are likely to see on TV.
If you missed this first time around, then I would not hesitate in buying the DVD version.
Having said that, episodes 2 to 6 were edge of your seat stuff, leaving you impatiently waiting for the next week.
This was an intelligently written thriller with an excellent cast featuring Christopher Eccleston,Rafe Spall,Eve Best and Anthony Sher.
However it is Stephen Rea's brilliant performance as the chilling Gatehouse that makes this one of the best thrillers you are likely to see on TV.
If you missed this first time around, then I would not hesitate in buying the DVD version.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By nickyb
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Hard to fault this fine thriller. Excellent acting all round and I was great fan of the Spall role. Good twists and turns and some fine characters created. I feel the story could have run to more episodes rather than having to, at times, quickly explain what was going on. Rather like The Killing it needs 20 or so episodes.This is the sort of drama that must be explored..well thought out, produced and performed.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By Jim
Format:DVD
What an excellent drama series with twists and turns and a story that develops almost in line with Gabriel's understanding of it.
The whole cast is magnificent, but Gatehouse is out of this world - "tomato soup" - "bike crash" - "baby monitor" - "beep beep" - "remember the rule (you are the strands, I am the rope)"...etc.
Some people might think the ending was a bit of a let down for such an excellent series, but for me the ending was simply a means of tying up the loose ends. Gatehouse + Jay Wratten + rent boy = three wierdos in a line from three generations to carry the business forwards for the next 20 years, and will there be a bent copper to assist them? yes, that question gets answered at the end as well (I won't say how in case it spoils it for anyone who hasn't seen it yet).
The whole cast is magnificent, but Gatehouse is out of this world - "tomato soup" - "bike crash" - "baby monitor" - "beep beep" - "remember the rule (you are the strands, I am the rope)"...etc.
Some people might think the ending was a bit of a let down for such an excellent series, but for me the ending was simply a means of tying up the loose ends. Gatehouse + Jay Wratten + rent boy = three wierdos in a line from three generations to carry the business forwards for the next 20 years, and will there be a bent copper to assist them? yes, that question gets answered at the end as well (I won't say how in case it spoils it for anyone who hasn't seen it yet).
7 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By Dr Carter
Format:Blu-ray
Great cinematography, a feeling of dread and the constant threat of violence, make this a near-classic. But the bleakness of the story, its twists and turns conspiracies inside -conspiracies inside conspiracies-) fails to satisfy the viewer. It's great not being spoon-fed all the time, and having to guess who is going to kill whom in the next segment, but some weird plot-twists and violent scenes seem to happen just for the sake of it, for the sake of shocking the viewer, to the detriment, imho, of the whole. Some great acting, some unforgettable scenes, but a bit too long for its subject-matter, and gruelling to boot. At least there won't be a sequel ;-)
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4.3 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Just don't think too much and you'll love it.
The Shadow Line is many things, but one of the things it certainly isn't is subtle. It's a sledgehammer of despair, seemingly taking wagers with itself as to how it can make the... Read more
Published 9 days ago by Mail-order Christ
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent drama
A bit thespian, but what's not to like about that. Intricate plot, absorbing characters, and an intriguing insight into the world of big crime
Published 1 month ago by Annie
3.0 out of 5 stars
A Worthy Successor to Luther
Intricate plotting and outstanding acting. Again, the paranoia over corruption at the highest levels of the UK police. I'd recommend it to anybody. Read more
Published 1 month ago by D. H. Field
5.0 out of 5 stars
Compelling drama
I first watched this when it was on the BBC last year and loved it. The casting and acting is spot on and brings so many layers of emotion to the fore. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Ollerbarrow
5.0 out of 5 stars
Between Darkness and Light
THE SHADOW LINE
Chiwetel Ejiofor, Christopher Eccleston, Rafe Spall, Lesley Sharp, Antony Sher and the amazing Irish actor Stephen Rea in a high tension conspiracy... Read more
Chiwetel Ejiofor, Christopher Eccleston, Rafe Spall, Lesley Sharp, Antony Sher and the amazing Irish actor Stephen Rea in a high tension conspiracy... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Dr. Reinhard Farkas
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brillant series - well worth a watch
Gripping and edgy. Liked the original tv showing and the DVD has not disappointed. Would reccomend to anyone who enjoys crime drama.
Published 3 months ago by Hallett
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great drama
How could you go wrong with actors of this caliber?
It is gripping from start to finish.
If you have not seen it, get it now!
It is gripping from start to finish.
If you have not seen it, get it now!
Published 3 months ago by Terry Rourke
5.0 out of 5 stars
Be warned people - Gatehouse may come round to pounce on YOU!
Well I think that the first series of the BBC drama of the Shadow Line was excellent. I have watched all the eight episodes from this series and you know what is expected to come... Read more
Published 3 months ago by IAN HILL
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gripping series
Bought this is as a present as watched series on tv. Brilliant series although very violent. A real thriller to view.
Published 4 months ago by Lady in Burton Latimer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic! Gripping!
This had my partner and I engrossed and the world stopped whilst we watched this series from beginning to end. Incredible acting, lots of twists and turns an overall winner! Read more
Published 6 months ago by Cosmopolitain7heaven
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