A Is for Acid (TV 2002)

John George Haigh, the notorious "acid bath murderer" in 1940s England, becomes the subject of this dramatization.

Director:

Harry Bradbeer

Writer:

Glenn Chandler

Stars:

Martin Clunes, Keeley Hawes, Richard Hope

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Martin Clunes	...	John George Haigh
Keeley Hawes	...	Gillian Rogers
Richard Hope	...	Dr. Archie Henderson
Celia Imrie	...	Rose Henderson
Rowena Cooper	...	Mrs. Olive Durand-Deacon
John Flanagan	...	Arnold Burtin
Terence Beesley	...	DS Heslin
Matyelok Gibbs	...	Mrs. Constance Lane
Barbara Marten	...	Emily Haigh
Geoff Holman	...	John Haigh Senior
Neil McKinven	...	Donald McSwan
Christopher Town	...	John George Haigh (as a boy)
Claire Nielson	...	Amy McSwan
Donald Douglas	...	William McSwan
Christopher Ettridge	...	Steven Rogers (as Chris Ettridge)

Storyline

Dramatisation of the true story of the notorious "acid bath murderer" John Haigh, who murdered women and disposed of their bodies in vats of acid in the 1940's. He was only caught when the gallstones of one of his victims, Mrs Durand-Deacon, failed to dissolve in the acid and were detected by the pathologist who examined the residue from the acid bath.

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Plot Keywords:

acid | acid bath | 1940s | murderer | sergeant | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 September 2002 (UK)

Also Known As:

Crimes Quase Perfeitos

Filming Locations:

7 South St., Scarborough, North Yorkshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Yorkshire Television (YTV)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Goofs

Haigh meets the Hendersons at the seaside and comments "splendid weather for February!" (it was in fact 12 February 1948 when he killed them). He is then seen driving Archibald Henderson to his workshop down a road with trees in full leaf; this must have been filmed in May or early June.

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Connections

Referenced in Psychoville: Joy (2009)

User Reviews

An excellent and chilling portrayal of the banality of evil

The film traces the life and deeds of a true life serial killer, John George Haig AKA the Acid Bath Murderer. Whilst in jail for fraud in the thirties he accidentally discovers the effect that acid has on animal bodies. He subsequently "offs" a series of people including a couple a family and three strangers by inviting them to his "workshop". He dissolves the bodies in oil drums full of acid. The film cuts to flashbacks of his upbringing by zealously religious parents, but steers clear of obviously blaming the parents for the son's murderous behaviour.

The film has a similar attention to detail as "10 Rillington Place" and Martin Clunes is excellently creepy as the charming Mr Haig. The contrast is small between Haig's day-to-day behaviour and the actual murders and disposals of the body but fascinating, leading to comparisons with Richard Attenborough's portrayal of Christie in 10 Rillington Place, but this film is more darkly humorous.

The film is written by Taggart creator Glenn Chandler and directed by Harry Bradbeer who directed most of the excellent BBC series "The Cops".