Messiah (2001) User Reviews

Incredibly compelling series

[TheLittleSongbird · 9/10 · 23 May 2016]

While there are better mystery/detective shows in my opinion, 'Messiah' is incredibly well done and ceaselessly compelling. It is near blameless and definitely should have lasted longer.

It is stylishly and beautifully filmed with a lot of atmosphere, while the locations are also used to great effect. The music is suitably ominous while never being too obvious.

'Messiah' is very intelligently written, it is never stilted or clichéd and constantly keeps the mystery elements alive. The stories are gripping throughout with lots of twists and turns and genuinely surprising solutions. The only motive I didn't completely buy was in the first series, which felt implausible and underdeveloped, it didn't seem like a good enough reason to murder all those people in such a gruesome manner.

That is my only criticism of 'Messiah' really, as well as more could have done with Frances Grey's character as well. There are some clever and very gruesome murders that never are gratuitous (especially in the first series) but are not for weak stomachs, mine is getting stronger but even it was quite disturbed by those in the first two episodes. The characters are interesting, and the series is constantly well directed and ensures that the episodes never feel rushed or plodding.

Ken Stott is exceptional as the main character, and it is some of the best acting he's ever done. He is terrifically supported by Neil Dudgeon (who has never been better), Michelle Forbes, Frances Grey, Edward Woodward and especially a sinister Jamie Draven, in fact everybody is good.

In summary, incredibly compelling. 9/10 Bethany Cox

The anointed death dealer.

[hitchcockthelegend · 9/10 · 24 August 2012]

London, summertime, and a serial murderer is at large, killing his victims in brutal ways and leaving a silver spoon in the mouths as his calling card. What links the victims? Detective Superintendent Red Metcalfe (Ken Stott) assembles a top team and attempts to halt the bloodshed as he simultaneously tries to keep the ghosts in his past from submerging his investigation.

Directed by Diarmuid Lawrence and co-adapted to screenplay by Boris Starling (from his own novel) and Lizzie Mickery, Messiah is formed in two parts. Firstly is The First Killings, then The Reckoning. Originally shown over two nights on BBC in 2001, Starling's source proves to be excellently unnerving stuff that translates very well to the screen. The comparisons with David Fincher's Se7en were inevitable, though a touch lazy and unfair given the different worlds they operate in, both cinematically as budgets, and as setting and protagonists portrayals.

Lawrence's film has so much going for it to make it an essential viewing for fans of serial killer based thrillers. It has all the key elements in place. The murders are most distressing, with us often having to witness the aftermath of the crimes and thus having to fill in the blanks (urgh). The mystery element is constantly strong, with the makers slowly dripping in clues as to the killer's motives, and then for the second half it becomes a race against time before the genuinely surprising reveal and denouement. The acting is first rate, with Stott (playing an interesting and unique hero), Jamie Draven and Michelle Forbes particularly impressive in tricky roles.

The investigative group dynamic is a troubled one, which adds spice to the investigation. Metcalfe has a stormy past that keeps rearing its head to affect his detecting, while his marriage to deaf Susan (Forbes) is coming increasingly under pressure, more so the deeper he gets into the case. DI Duncan Warren (Neil Dudgeon) has a gambling problem, at war with his ex-wife and fighting a losing battle to get quality time with his estranged son, and young pups D.S. Clifton (Draven) and D.S. Beauchamp (Frances Grey) have taken an inappropriate liking to each other. Into the mix is the gutter press and Art Malik's Boss Emerson is stomping around like a bear with a sore head.

Messiah is not without faults, one of the decisions taken by the killer just beggars belief, while there is one leap of faith (hrr hrr hrr) required to buy into the meticulous aspect of said killer's ultimate goal. But this is great skin itching stuff, a prestigious production that shows the better side of the BBC as Grand Guignol and British drama fuse together handsomely. 9/10

Not The Most Original Thriller But Very Compelling

[Theo Robertson · 8/10 · 8 June 2003]

I saw MESSIAH 2 a few months ago and didn`t get to see the original teleplay untill a few days ago and this is far superior to the sequel . Okay it`s not a million miles away from the plot of SEVEN but it`s still compelling . Much of my praise has to do with Ken Stott`s performance as DCI Red Metcalfe a policeman who seems to have led a very unlucky life and someone who has a terrible secret . It`d be easy for Stott to go over the top but he plays the role in a fairly subtle way . Likewise the murders are very shocking but - unlike the sequel where the murders are carried out onscreen in a rather OTT manner - there`s actually little violence shown .

My only criticisms are that the red herring was too obviously a red herring which meant I wasn`t taken in by the shock twist ( And you would probably see the shock twist coming so I won`t bother with a spoiler alert ) and that when the real murderer was revealed it seemed both slightly far fetched and caused a few plot holes to appear in the story . If I remember correctly the sequel had similar problems once the murderer was revealed so maybe it`d be a good idea not to make MESSIAH 3

Unbelievable

[Matt Bain · 1 September 2002]

This is the best drama I've seen in a very long time, if not ever. Firstly, Ken Stott is an absolutely fantastic actor, he perfected the part so you really believed he was DCI Red Metcalfe, struggling with all his secrets and dark past. In fact all the actors were excellent in their roles, particularly Neil Dudgeon, Frances Grey and of course, Jamie Draven. The novel in the first place was highly original with an amazingly complex plot, and this was successfully adapted into a high quality, brilliant directed screenplay. To sum up, this was an electrifying piece of ground-breaking drama, every moment communicating mesmerising details about this complex plot and it's highly believable characters. See it if u can, believe me.

Ground breaking drama

[minnie_mie · 10/10 · 28 May 2001]

When I read the synopsis for "Messiah" in the television guide, I was not prepared for what was in store. The story follows DCI Metcalfe trying to solve a case of grisly murders being taken out across London. He soon realises a pattern, there is a serial killer on the loose, killing people with similar names and jobs to those of the 12 Apostles and their killings are identical to their matching Apostle. The two part series kept me right on the edge of my seat, with Metcalfe closely pursuing the killer, but always missing him within a couple of seconds and discovering the gruesome mess he has left behind of his ill-fated victim. "Messiah" is sure to cause a great deal of controversy, but nonetheless it is the greatest piece of drama the BBC has shown in a long time.

Classic BBC Drama

[retrogames · 8/10 · 7 November 2003]

The DVD release of this superior made for TV BBC drama is a more than welcome addition to my collection. Great acting, gripping story, and wonderful direction all add up to one of the best BBC dramas in years.

Superb Drama from the Beeb

[Paul-Smith957-1 · 9/10 · 18 December 2005]

Having read the other comment about this superb piece of TV drama I felt compelled to balance things a little. If you like you murders, to be signature and serial, and your cops to be British, and shout a lot, and the gore to be bloody and have a religious slant then this hits every button. Not quite enough 'gov'ing to put the shouting into the Sweeney's rarefied heights, but otherwise highly rated. Ken Stott is excellent as the 'cop on the edge' and the guest stars are also well cast, including Edward Woodward and Art Malik. Recommended. (In response to the earlier comments, although I accept that 'Red' would not 'normally' drive away from a hit and run, he had just witnessed his brother arrested for murder, and I am fairly sure he does not see the boy move.)

Strong, powerful and scaring

[Dr_Coulardeau · 10/10 · 28 July 2012]

An extraordinary thriller with serial killings that always work in fair half a dozen or more victims in short periods of time. But that's far from enough to describe this series, in fact a collection of five titles each one in two episodes in four cases and three episodes in one case.

The main characteristic is first of all the personality of the main police inspector or detective or chief detective or chief inspector. He is rough and in a way a visionary person; he has to see beyond the surface of things and he can only do that with inspiration, in fact quasi religious inspiration, hence the title of the collection; He gets a revelation about the killer, always in the last five minutes or so. The fifth title has a different chief inspector but he has the same personality, except slightly younger and nimbler and with a directly religious past history in Israel. In other words in this fifth episode the chief inspector is connected with the Jewish state of Israel and the war going on there. Before the chief inspector was a Christian, probably Anglican.

The second characteristic is that the serial killing is always something like an inside job. The first two titles deal with an infiltrated person inside the police team. In the first one the killer is trying to kill the twelve apostles, or rather twelve people wearing the names of the twelve apostles who have to be killed the way the apostles actually died in true history. So it means only eleven deaths since one apostle died of natural death. In the second the killer is killing all those who are connected with the wrong incarceration of his or her father for a crime he did not commit though he covered the real perpetrator out of love, which the avenger did not know. The third story concerns a member of the outside hospital team who decides he has to protect one member of the police team he believes he or she is related to. The fourth one is the absolutely crooked reasoning of a member of the medical team of the police in front of the suicide of his or her daughter. The final title is quite different since it deals with Jewish fundamentalism and this time a defence lawyer is concerned.

This characteristic is essential because it enables the murderer to always be ahead of the police since they have inside information from the police themselves.

The next characteristic is the heavily religious inspiration of three stories. The first one is to recreate the death of the twelve apostles. That has been a dream of many though it generally remained artistic, hence a representation of these deaths in a way or another. Here the criminal wants real bodies re-enacting the real circumstances. The fourth episode is based on the Inferno from the Divine Comedy by Dante and the nine circles going down into the pit. The last one is even more cryptic since we are dealing with the seven signs of Armageddon as seen in Abraham's story. The new Chief Inspector is a Jew who knows some ancient Hebrew though he has lost contact with it and has to get reacquainted. The symbolic centre of it is the name of God YHWH (Yahweh), the tetragrammaton, the four letters of the name of God.

The two exception are first a vengeance case which is misdirected since the man sentenced for life willingly endorsed the responsibility of a crime he did not commit to cover the real culprit. It deals with gay rights or absence of rights in Great Britain just twenty years ago. Second it is the misguided and wrongly inspired promise a man made to a sister of his to protect her and he becomes criminal when he identifies this sister as being a member of the police team, which she is not.

The main shortcoming is in fact something true and false at the same time. In that line of business inspiration is essential but it should be based on profiling and in the English tradition it is not. The inspiration that leads to the criminal comes from the re-arranging and re-interpreting of facts, which is limited in scope and efficiency. That's probably why the criminals nearly always go to the very end of their projects, or half a step away from the very end.

A must for audiences thrilled by thrillers and thrilling experiences.

Dr Jacques COULARDEAU

Decent but not much more then that

[VforRevenge · 6/10 · 10 January 2015]

I decided to watch this based on the rating here and the positive reviews.

I don't agree with the high rating and the very positive reviews, while this is not a bad mini series it's nothing special either in my opinion. Some compare it to Se7en, that is absolutely not the case.

It is your average,run off the mill, cop vs serial killer scenario, without giving too much away of the plot i can say that it baffles me that the the connection wasn't made earlier (i did and nothing is given away). So i was watching this thinking there had to be another plot twist that i missed, i didn't.

Furthermore, the production is average, the acting is above average but what annoys me with these kind of series that there always has to be something wrong with the "hero". Either a drinking problem, separated, dead child or you name it. Why is that? In my opinion, if you have nothing to do an a rainy Sunday afternoon you can watch this but don't expect anything too much. They tried too hard.

The BBC once again out does itself.

[Griever_2112 · 9/10 · 3 August 2009]

I have to say when it comes to Book to Movie Adaptations the BBC rarely lets me down. Now regarding this mini-series. I love the Starling Novel, it's by far the best murder/mystery I've ever read. The Mini-series, it definitely made my day when I saw it. The primary story was kept near perfectly intact. The characters match the ones to the novel very well, the personalities and mannerisms were spot on for Red and Jez. I thought Duncan was done very well as was Kate, Eric came off as too much of a simplistic character, he had a little more depth in the book, but they also altered his sub-story so that may have had to deal with it. Of course there are changes, but most are cosmetic, but some I found disappointment in, the sub-story with Eric murder charge was changed and that changed the whole dynamic between Red and Eric for the movie, and they cut out the Triathalon training Jez was doing. Some of the other events in the book are changed to be viewer friendly. Over all if you liked the book, you will like this, if you like the mini-series, then you'll love the book. I must say, this is the most accurate Book to Movie adaptation I've seen.

Tense thriller, but a little long-winded

[khatcher-2 · 6/10 · 4 January 2004]

Diarmuid Lawrence is evidently a director for television, and has amply shown he masters the medium, though `Messiah' is not the best example of his I have seen to date. In this respect `The Echo' (1998) (TV) (qv) rates as very convincing, though with a lower IMDb vote average, surprisingly. Here, once again, Lawrence takes his idea from a book, this time by Boris Starling, again of not much high literary merits, let's say, as with `The Echo' and converts the story into an intriguing two and a half hours or so of entertaining whodunnit thriller.

The idea is not very original: a killer in series basing himself on the names of the apostles........ but the story is laden with plot twists which mostly have you thinking of Agatha Christie rather than the better writings of people like John Le Carré, Ken Forsythe, etc. Nicely filmed around Lawrence's usual stamping ground - inner London suburbs from Fulham and Putney to the East End and Bermondsey, not forgetting Highgate and so on, - the story has a very stubborn chief inspector, played very well by Ken Stott, galloping along the grim trail of death, as well as the occasional personal issues with his kid, his second wife and that `little' accident ..........WHOA! Nothing else to say: major spoiler which would destroy the whole point of the film! Ken Stott's playing is really the make or break of the whole film, though other actors are also pretty good. Suffice to say, if you like a well-made police thriller, this is a good one - but `The Echo' is better - at least in my books.

Realistic, Rough, Raw - apparently some other R's...

[BeneCumb · 8/10 · 24 January 2016]

/refers to Season 1/

British crime series have remained a sign of quality - accrual of Scandinavian ones in this century has not impaired them but diversified their approach. Messiah is a good example how "good old" episode-based crime has obtained "modern" nuances and cinematography, including fast twists and meaningful use of flashbacks.

As usual, performances are good (in fact, I could not Ken Scott starring somewhere), policemen are realistic, no cute faces and fancy clothes/cars, and the severity of crimes depicted here has a sophisticated reference to the past... And I as did not guess the evildoer, did not suspect even, I would easily give 8 points for constant suspense - in spite of the fact I am not very fond of religious fanaticism or crime - and I intend to watch the following seasons as well.

Grtitty cop drama fades a bit in the home stretch

[fung0 · 7/10 · 12 April 2012]

Great acting, great sense of realism, clever plot... somewhat let down by a low-on-logic finale. If the entire audience can see the final twist coming, I think the cop should be able to see it too. If he can't, then he's not really clever enough to be starring in his own show.

It's notable that the whole serial killer scenario of Messiah bears a more-than-passing resemblance to David Fincher's execrable 1995 film Se7en. But in its favor, Messiah is a far better handling of the concept, with more-likable characters, more-interesting detail, and a far less annoying resolution. (Stott's also a better actor than Pitt. But then, who isn't?)

Overall, a fun waste of several hours, that could have been much more, with just a tiny bit of tweaking.

VERY GOOD

[Butterworthp · 11 January 2003]

This is great it has a great plot,a good pace and it makes you want to keep watching right to the end. All through the programme you are always wondering who the killer is and if the killer could be working among the investigation team. For once the acting is good especially by ken stott who is also excellent in the vice but it is shame they only make about one or two messiah thrillers a year.

Jamie Draven Is Excellent In It!

[PAULA-BETTERIDGE · 10/10 · 22 May 2005]

I saw the Messiah:- The First Killings and I thought it was absolutely one of the best programmes I have seen, ever. It was one of those programmes that you think that oh, no, I cannot watch the rest of this but you feel compelled to watch it just to see who done it. Jamie Draven was an absolutely amazing actor in it, to be able to switch between two totally, totally different characters one of which is the evil, nasty person that did it and the other person who is Jez Clifton, the cop. To be able to do that, well, I certainly wouldn't be able to do it, well not without cracking anyway. I really do love and care for Jamie Draven with all of my heart and I always will, until the end of time, I think that Jamie is the sweetest, cutest, sexiest guy in the world. I absolutely love Jamie in Ultimate Force also because he looks god damn sexy in the blacks that he wore. I love Jamie Love Paula Draven

-X-

Seven times Se7en = Messiah?

[RobK-2 · 9/10 · 2 April 2002]

Obviously inspired by Se7en and sometimes even more gruesome; more bloodshed and very graphic details (a bit too much for my taste). Great script and acting (I was especially impressed by Ken Stott and there were no weak points in te cast). Good cinematography and very realistic stereo-sound. One of the best thrillers I've seen since years. Although it was scheduled on BBC in three parts I watched Messiah on video in one take. One point of critic; the motivation of the villain was not very convincing.

need to know the name of the aria played in the second or third series

[heyjuddyesterday · 8/10 · 4 January 2015]

I really did like this series Messiah, the drama the cast just fantastic. The ploy the suspense everything. in comparison of other dramas per example of American drama big difference. British drama is great so real so close to people humane and the music used in this series is wonderful. I would like to know the title of the opera played in the episode 3 or two, I do not remember. I think it was the episode where the daughter avenge her father who was wrongly accused. She starts killing the dearest person to the people she saw them responsible of her father situation. Can any one tell me the name of the opera or the aria . I really did like it and I cannot remember the title of that beautiful aria, I will be waiting to see if any one can help me here.

Compulsive Viewing

[scottish_fiona · 10/10 · 8 June 2001]

Messiah was compulsive viewing from start to finish. The story centred on apparently random murders of men in London in various gruesome ways. DCI Red Metcalfe (Ken Stott)has to find the truth which, to his surprise, is a little closer to home than he might think.

Gripping drama and Ken Stott was brilliant. Hopefully we have not seen the last of DCI Red Metcalfe.

Ken Stott is BRILLIANT

[dgjones-62258 · 8/10 · 24 August 2022]

Episodes 1 and 2 are as good as it gets for a police procedural. Good writing, acting, and production values. Exciting, gripping, and thrilling.

Episode 3, I'm more than two hours into the show and writing this wondering if I will finish it. The acting and production is top quality, but the writing is a bit crap.

Too many implausible story arcs and the errors in procedures made me cringe - a writer should not make such mistakes. Research was substandard.

Also too much psycho babble and unrealistic 'getting in touch with your feelings' scenes that were... Crap!

Enjoy 1&2.

SO good

[Cindy-Marie-125 · 10/10 · 18 August 2022]

Very well made. Very well acted. Not in the least by Ken Stott. Neil Dudgeon makes it a bit more bearable with his light humor. Real humans having to deal with heavy subjects. Gets under your skin. Wished there were more of them made....

Jamie Draven steals the show..

[shawshanksam-1 · 8 March 2003]

There's not much about this I didn't like.. The story was well thought out with a lot of twists and you don't realise who the killer is until right near the end.

Congrats to newcomer Jamie Draven. Not only did he put in a brilliant performance, very convincing, he proved that he can play good and bad guys. (Check out the Jamie stare when he goes to visit Red)

I believe we'll see a lot more of him in the future. For those who ask 'is his Manchester accent going to hinder him'.. I say this.. 'Has anyone questioned Sean Connery's accent. I don't think there's any role that Sean's played that he hasn't done in his Scottish accent.

So I say.. no, I don't think it will hinder him. Gives him character. I wish him all the best and will be keeping an eye out in the future.

As for the rest of the show, excellent performances were put in by Ken Stott and the rest of the team.

And it was kinda surreal seeing Boris Starling who wrote it, on screen as a corpse.

ugh

[jazzbiker · 3 August 2004]

Although a tad too bloody for my taste, I was able to overcome the quick factor to stay with the story... right up to the end, which seemed totally forced and not at all in keeping with the character of DI Metcalfe. The guy who turns his brother in for murder would NEVER drive away from a hit and run... especially after he sees the kid he hit *move*.

And the kid would never grow up to enlist in the police dept. and end up in the same squad as Metcalfe.

Plus, it gave me nightmares. If you've got a low tolerance for gratuitous blood & gore, and an advanced degree of skepticism, avoid this movie at all costs.

I wish I had my 2.5 hours back.

Pretty darned good. *** SPOILERS ***

[jamesbloke · 6 February 2002]

You cannot go far wrong if your cast includes Ken Stott, Neil Dudgeon and Edward Woodward. The acting is excellent from the above, and most of the rest of the cast.

The script is also pretty good - a really original story and some excellent dialogue (although one or two cliches and over-used plot devices do work themselves in).

I must correct one of the previous comments - it is not Red Metcalf, nor any of the other police officers who discover the pattern to the murders. Metcalf sort of finds out by accident, and the gaps are filled in by the Reverend Stephen Hedges. It's not until a while later that Hedges spots the connection with the victims occupations, and it's not until ages after that they notice that the dates of the murders are on the relevant Saint's day! This is one of the first things to check, surely?!!?

Unfortunately, upon reflection, several other holes in the plot emerge, large enough through which to drive the proverbial double-decker bus.

But on the whole, whilst watching, Messiah is excellent.