In the Red (1998) (TV)

User Rating:

8.0/10   

Director:

Marcus Mortimer

Writers:

Malcolm Bradbury (writer)
Mark Tavener (novel)

Release Date:

31 January 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Thriller

Plot:

A series of killings of bank managers has London in a turmoil, all the way up to Parliament. And the killer regularly calls about his handiwork...

Plot Keywords:

Bank Manager | Radio | Political | Murder | Money

Cast

Warren Clarke	...	George Cragge
Stephen Fry	...	Controller, Radio 2
Richard Griffiths	...	Geoffrey Crichton-Potter
Rik Mayall	...	Dominic De'Ath
Richard Wilson	...	Lord Tone
John Bird	...	Controller, Radio 4
Alun Armstrong	...	Det. Chief Insp. Frank Jefferson
Siobhan Redmond	...	Madame Sin
John Sessions	...	Hercules Fortescue
Rachel Fielding	...	Letitia Tone
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Paul Ansdell	...	Home News Organiser
Robert Austin	...	Jeremy Inchcape
Keith Barron	...	Controller, BBC1
Andrew Burt	...	Chief Commissioner
Victoria Carling	...	Det. Sgt. Marten
Colum Convey	...	Agent
Kevin Eldon	...	Video shop assistant
Rebecca Front	...	Beth Parsons
Mark Gatiss	...	Junior Detective
Simon Godley	...	Henry Potts
Colin Guthrie	...	First Studio Manager
Ian Harker	...	Second Studio Manager
Anne Harries	...	Madame Speaker
Peter Hobday	...	World at One Presenter
Melanie Hudson	...	'Oh Jesus' P.A.
Lee Ingleby	...	Paul, the party worker
Arthur Kelly	...	Home Secretary
Graham Kent	...	Police Doctor
James McCarthy	...	Bamber Simpson
Geoffrey McGivern	...	Clarence Twist
Alistair McGowan	...	Murderer's Voice (voice)
Patrick O'Kane	...	Andrew James
Mike Onslow	...	NUJ Representative
Bruno Ouvrard	...	Maitre d'Ho
Steve Pemberton	...	Lawrence Boot-Heath
Sally Phillips	...	Jemma White
Victor Power	...	Journalist
David Ryall	...	Max Parker
Paul Ryan	...	Journalist in Pub
James Saxon	...	Oswald Twist
Reece Shearsmith	...	Broadcast Journalist
Hugh Simon	...	Harold Twist
Tony Simon	...	Peter Anderson (MP)
Robbie Swales	...	Police Press Officer
Albert Welling	...	James Addison
Richard Whitmore	...	Radio 4 Presenter
Amanda Wise	...	Fortescue's Secretary
Max Wrottesley	...	Youth Applicant
Jonathan Bridge	...	Member of Parliament (uncredited)

Directed by
Marcus Mortimer

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Malcolm Bradbury		writer
Mark Tavener		novel

Produced by
Jon Plowman	....	executive producer
John Rushton	....	associate producer
Sarah Smith	....	producer

Cinematography by
David Higgs

Film Editing by
Joe Walker

Art Direction by
Colin Blaymires

Costume Design by
Hazel Pethig

Makeup Department
Helen Johnson	....	makeup artist
Vanessa White	....	makeup designer

Production Management
Johnny Ludlow	....	unit manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Jo Cole	....	second assistant director
Nic Jeune	....	first assistant director
Ben Rothwell	....	third assistant director
Diane Wood	....	second assistant director

Art Department
Antonia Birk	....	assistant art director
Dickson Peschek	....	property master
Luke Stevenson	....	art department assistant

Sound Department
Terry Elms	....	sound recordist
Richard Jupp	....	boom operator
Neil Ragsdale	....	sound editor

Stunts
Nick Powell	....	stunt coordinator

Camera and Electrical Department
Dan Fontaine	....	best boy
Stewart Hadley	....	gaffer
Paul Hatchman	....	grip

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Phil Lester	....	assistant costume designer
Sue Newton	....	dresser

Other crew
Lydia Currie	....	production runner
Dee Gregson	....	location manager
Tessa Kimbell	....	script supervisor
Alison Passey	....	production accountant
Rachel Vost	....	location assistant

Production Companies

• British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Distributors

• British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) (original airing)

Runtime:

60 min (3 parts)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:M

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Movie Connections:

Spin off "Absolute Power" (2003)

High time the BBC released "In The Red" on DVD!

I recommend this to anyone who enjoys laughing (especially at the ridiculousness of bureaucracy), pleasantly convoluted plots and well-crafted characters: good scripting, great acting by a professional cast of well-known British actors thoroughly enjoying themselves, but simultaneously managing to underplay despite the temptations offered by the material, and several unexpected twists in the various plot lines.

I've been told that critics didn't respond well to this TV adaptation; I never saw any reviews, but everyone I know who saw it loved it. It's the sort of thing, in fact, that you actually yearn to see again (and again!) - so when, oh when, will the BBC repeat it or, better, release it on DVD?