Prime Suspect: Scent of Darkness (1995) (TV)

Director:

Paul Marcus

Writer:

Guy Hibbert (writer)

Release Date:

15 May 1995 (UK)

Genre:

Crime | Mystery

Plot:

A series of brutal sex murders disturbingly similar to the pattern of Superintendent Jane Tennison's first major case leads to the awful suggestion that she may have caught the wrong man the first time.

Plot Keywords:

Murder | Police | Detective | Woman Detective | Sexism

Awards:

Won Primetime Emmy.

Cast

Helen Mirren	...	Supt. Jane Tennison
Scott Neal	...	Geoff
Marc Warren	...	DC Andy Dyson
Stephen Boxer	...	Supt. David Thorndike
Stuart Wilson	...	Dr. Patrick Schofield
Penelope Beaumont	...	Dr. Elizabeth Bramwell
John Benfield	...	Chief Supt. Kernan
Glen Berry	...	Wayne
Christopher Fulford	...	DCI Tom Mitchell
Richard Hawley	...	DI Richard Haskons
Alan Leith	...	Supt. Howell
Antony Byrne	...	DC Jason Headley
Tim Woodward	...	George Marlow
Joseph Kpobie	...	Al
Joyce Redman	...	Doris Marlow

Runtime:

USA:105 min

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

UK:15

Company:

Granada Television

Quotes:

Dr. Patrick Schofield: Sometimes you have to trust people.

Movie Connections:

References I Don't Want to Be Born (1975)

OK Give In

I previously wrote that part 2 in this set was going to be the most gripping for myself - without even having seen this one, part 3. I liked the premise of part 2 and could not imagine I'd find another better.

But OK: I give in. I admit it: this is far and away the best of the three. It is everything part 2 is and more. It's just so juicy seeing Mirren have to haggle with these creeps who are simultaneously her superiors. She says herself that acting is no big deal, but try telling that to all the two-bit actors out there who never seem to get it. Did Chuck Norris ever say acting was no big deal? (Come to think of it, he would say that, wouldn't he?)

Tennison is up against it in this one. Everything's at stake, and the plot follows a classic (but not worn out) story line found in many whodunits of this nature, namely Tennison's integrity is called into question. And the case has her really upset. And things fly in all possible directions. And you have to really stay on the edge of your seat to get all the clues. Meaning it's a bit of an intellectual challenge, in addition to everything else it gives you. Which is only good.

There's no contest: even if you don't particularly like the format, odds are you'll still be 'glued to the tube' for this one and unable to break away.

The writing, the direction, the acting - and above all (and it's a lot) Mirren stand out and shine.

The UK have come out with some amazing detective series over the years, and this is one of their absolute best.