Stars: Ken Stott, Neil Dudgeon, Jamie Draven, Frances Grey, Michelle Forbes

Director: Diarmuid Lawrence

Summary: A killer stalks the streets of London and wealthy men are being murdered and left with silver spoons in place of their tongues. Detective Superintendent Red Metcalfe investigates during a merciless heatwave...

As London wilts during a heat wave, a series of rich men are murdered and mutilated and the silver spoons being placed in the victims mouths are the only clues to be found. Detective Superintendent Red Metcalfe (Ken Stott) is the man called upon to try and find a pattern in the killings and to catch the perpetrator. This disc contains both parts of this made-for-TV series.

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Reviewed by: cooljimbop
Posted on October 19, 2005 5:32 PM

This TV Drama could almost be a movie, it has all the style and pace of any blockbuster and is similar in content to Se7en. For a TV Drama it is at times very graphic with some grizzly deaths. The acting is top notch, Ken Stott is brilliant, and the storyline is compulsive viewing right up until the very end. It is at times very tense and shocking all the way. If you have seen any of the later Messiah's watch this one as it is by far the best. Definitely one for any fan of murder mysteries. Superb.

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The on-screen infatuation with serial killers continues with Messiah, an absorbing, intelligent two-part BBC TV film that's a close cousin to David Fincher's Seven. Based on the novel by Boris Starling (who also co-wrote the screenplay), Messiah follows Detective Chief Inspector Red Metcalfe (Ken Stott) in tracking down someone with a Christ complex in a murder-case involving 12 "Apostles". A fine line is trod in presenting enough horror so as to intrigue, but not so much as to repel. Decapitations, cut out tongues and flayed skin are all masked in shadow or reflection. More attractive to the eye is a strong cast including Edward Woodward as the case's religious consultant and the keeper of Metcalfe's wayward brother and Michelle Forbes as his deaf wife (the actress learnt sign language in six days for the part). Other notables are Ron Berglas as the unemotional expositional pathologist and Gillian Taylforth as the beleaguered wife of corruptible copper Duncan (Neil Dudgeon). With fine supporting work from Frances Grey, Jamie Draven, Art Malik and 25,000 flies, you'll be racking your brains to spot the killer. Expect to jump several times along the way.

On the DVD: a 30-minute behind-the-scenes documentary interviews all the key cast members on their thoughts of grisly imagery and working with one another. The producers have plenty to say on the original script and use of red herrings to distract us. Writer Boris Starling is comically talked to while in make-up as one of the victims. A few (wisely) deleted scenes, text biographies of cast and crew and a gallery of 12 photos round out the extras package. --Paul Tonks

Aspect Ratio:	16:9 Wide Screen
Main Language:	English
Region:	Region 2
Special Features:	Scene Index, Behind The Scenes, Photo Gallery, Deleted Scenes, Cast And Crew Notes
Year:	2000
Release Date:	January 27, 2003
Runtime:	148 minutes
Certification:
Catalogue Number:	D 093852
Keywords:	First, General, Reckoning, Wide, Screen, Killings, Messiah, Drama
Genre:	Drama