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DVD Description
Meticulous and obsessional, DI Chandler and his unit are based in Whitechapel – an area drenched in dark history and sinister goings-on. It is where Jack the Ripper carried out his horrific crimes. It is where The Krays constructed their Empire of Crime based on sadomasochistic punishments. This series unearths a Whitechapel full of Gothic shadows, cobblestones and ancient hostelries. There’s fear in the Huguenot weaving houses of Wilkes Street, and terrifying discoveries in the dark corners and rooftops around Brick Lane. Ed Buchan joins DI Chandler and hard-bitten DS Miles as their historical advisor – operating out of the bowels of the police station among musty tomes of the crime archive. Chandler is convinced crimes of the past hold the key to solving crimes of the present. The team is tested by bloody and vicious murders on their own doorstep. Do crimes such as the Thames Torso murders, HH Holmes, The Zodiac Killer and The Ratcliffe Highway murders unlock the truth? In Whitechapel, history isn’t dead - it’s deadly.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
31 of 33 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Viewers who saw the first two installments of Whitechapel will appreciate that there is a significant change in format this time round. Whereas the first two series were three part stories based on Jack the Ripper and The Kray Twins respectively, this time round we have three two part stories. Additionally these investigations are based much more loosely on historical crimes than the first two series. I imagine this is because the Ripper and the Krays are the only two major criminal activities in the Whitechapel area which most viewers will be familiar with.
It is easy to see why this change has come about. Whitechapel was probably intended as a one off, but following its resounding success there was a lot of pressure to come up with a follow up. What we got was a farfetched tale involving clones of the Krays which stretched credibility to extremes. The powers that be clearly appreciated that this time the format had to move on. The result actually works rather well. The historical crimes are still real - you can google the Ratcliff Highway Murders , the Thames Torso Murders or the various masked murderer crimes mentioned on the show, and get the details. The fact that the crimes being investigated are more loosely based on these events makes for a much more realistic story line as opposed to the straight copycat replication of the earlier series.
I thought that the three stories each worked although my personal favorite was the last of the three which was dark and shocking with a substantial sting in the tail. It certainly makes for good if not compulsive TV viewing. One thing I do not think is necessary though is for parts of the filming to be in the semi dark. I presume this is to conjure up visions of the atmospheric Whitechapel of the 1800s, but personally I thought it was unnecessary and did not add anything apart from straining the eyes. However, again Rupert Penry-Jones and Philip Davis put up a convincing performance as DI Chandler and DS Miles, and in the background is Edward Buchan, played by Steve Pemberton, the Ripper and Kray expert, whose knowledge clearly extends to other crimes of the Victorian era as he beavers away in the archives.
I do hope we get more of Whitechapel, and in its new format I imagine there is much more scope to produce additional episodes. I would think the only limitation is if they feel they have to keep seeking out gruesome real life crimes to base it all on, but I really do not see why they should not make up a few of their own if they are struggling!
It is easy to see why this change has come about. Whitechapel was probably intended as a one off, but following its resounding success there was a lot of pressure to come up with a follow up. What we got was a farfetched tale involving clones of the Krays which stretched credibility to extremes. The powers that be clearly appreciated that this time the format had to move on. The result actually works rather well. The historical crimes are still real - you can google the Ratcliff Highway Murders , the Thames Torso Murders or the various masked murderer crimes mentioned on the show, and get the details. The fact that the crimes being investigated are more loosely based on these events makes for a much more realistic story line as opposed to the straight copycat replication of the earlier series.
I thought that the three stories each worked although my personal favorite was the last of the three which was dark and shocking with a substantial sting in the tail. It certainly makes for good if not compulsive TV viewing. One thing I do not think is necessary though is for parts of the filming to be in the semi dark. I presume this is to conjure up visions of the atmospheric Whitechapel of the 1800s, but personally I thought it was unnecessary and did not add anything apart from straining the eyes. However, again Rupert Penry-Jones and Philip Davis put up a convincing performance as DI Chandler and DS Miles, and in the background is Edward Buchan, played by Steve Pemberton, the Ripper and Kray expert, whose knowledge clearly extends to other crimes of the Victorian era as he beavers away in the archives.
I do hope we get more of Whitechapel, and in its new format I imagine there is much more scope to produce additional episodes. I would think the only limitation is if they feel they have to keep seeking out gruesome real life crimes to base it all on, but I really do not see why they should not make up a few of their own if they are struggling!
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Stumbled unto this show through an associate that moved to the U.S. I think the characters are well played, the script is thoughtful and the quality of the film is excellent. I could only which for such a show as this here! Thank God for multiregion DVD players!
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Having been a fan of the series I was pleased to see its return and I think overall its still got to be one of the best police detective dramas there is.The acting is on top form as usual with all the main characters having there own personal demons to cope with which I think gives the characters that slight edge on other police detective programs and also I must say there is still no holding back on the gruesome scenes. All the stories were gripping with the usual twists and turns and I must say overall I really did enjoy watching this series and I hope that there will be more in the future.Highly recommended.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
A bit disappointing (series 2)
Whitechapel Series 2 [DVD]Enjoyed series one, but found this a bit disappointing. The intrigue involving the more senior officers is obviously designed to string you along through... Read more
Published 11 days ago by J. A. West
WHITECHAPEL - SERIES 3 (DVD)
Really enjoyed this series, very watchable! Acting excellent as was the story lines!! Will definately buy further series so keep on making them!
Published 19 days ago by Lesley
No subtitles
I really like this show but cannot buy DVD's without subtitles. Can you explain why the TV series has subtitles and the DVD's don't? Read more
Published 20 days ago by J. Baybusky
Crime and Refurbishment
Whitechapel is not the nicest area to live in, but despite its reputation of being the home of Jack the Ripper, there are few murders there in modern London. Read more
Published 20 days ago by Sam
Very good thrid instalment!
This third instalment differs from the previous ones since this time, we have three stories divided in two parts instead of one story in three episodes. Read more
Published 28 days ago by Hermeline
Excellent series
These were also on Norwegian broadcasting for Easter - perfect "Easter crime" series.
The characters are intriguing and I dearly hope that there will be more episodes in... Read more
The characters are intriguing and I dearly hope that there will be more episodes in... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Ena Ause
Getting even better!
Bring together a team of excellent actors & actresses, mix in superb script writing and the dramatic backdrop of a part of London associated with so much history and you have a... Read more
Published 1 month ago by A. J. Pomfret
Good acting, poor plots
I admire stars Penry-Jones and Davis, and wonder why they agreed to do a series with no thrills, few plot twists, and largely predictable storylines. Read more
Published 2 months ago by maggie
Big Let Down
Compared to other shows I think Whitechapel is a big let down.
They have good story lines but they don't quite pull it off.
To much running around. Read more
They have good story lines but they don't quite pull it off.
To much running around. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Elaine
Good... but not as good as before
This programme really worked on the first two series; but this time I felt that the programme had lost it's touch a bit and had no where to go. Read more
Published 3 months ago by F. Russell
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