See No Evil: The Moors Murders (2006) (TV)

Director:

Christopher Menaul

Writer:

Neil McKay (writer)

Release Date:

14 May 2006 (UK)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

A powerful and thought provoking drama based on one of the most shocking crimes of the 20th century, the chilling story of child killers Ian Brady and Myra Hindley.

Plot:

A vivid drama that documents the notorious "Moors murderers", Ian Brady and Myra Hindley. |

Plot Keywords:

Moors | 1960s | Manchester England | Children | Bloody Body Of Child

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Joanne Frogatt	...	Maureen Smith (as Joanne Froggatt)
Maxine Peake	...	Myra Hindley
Sean Harris	...	Ian Brady
Matthew McNulty	...	David Smith (as Michael McNulty)
George Costigan	...	DCI Joe Mounsey
Charlotte Emmerson	...	WDC Pat Clayton
John Henshaw	...	DCS Arthur Benfield
James Quinn	...	Supt Bob Talbot
Stephen MacKenna	...	DCS Prescott
Steven Hillman	...	DI Engels
Gordon Brown	...	DS Jock Carr
Andy Quine	...	Desk Sergeant
Susan Twist	...	Nellie Hindley
Steve Evets	...	Jack Smith
Margaret Jackman	...	Granny Maybury

Also Known As:

See No Evil: The Story of the Moors Murders (Australia) (DVD title)

Runtime:

180 min (2 parts)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:MA | New Zealand:R16

Company:

Granada Television

Goofs:

Miscellaneous: The police use Maglite® torches which did not exist until 1979.

Quotes:

[talking about Myra, several years after her conviction and imprisonment]
Maureen Smith: I have to believe what my heart tells me, Dave. And my heart tells me whatever Myra did in the past, she's a different person now.

As haunting and disturbing as it could have been, despite some flaws

STAR RATING: ***** The Works **** Just Misses the Mark *** That Little Bit In Between ** Lagging Behind * The Pits

To mark the 40th anniversary of Ian Brady and Myra Hindley's convictions for the horrific 'Moors Murders', ITV1 has produced this dramatization of their hunt, capture and conviction, charting their friendship with Dave Smith (Michael McNulty), boyfriend of Hindley's sister, whom Brady tried to warp into his twisted little world. It was only when he saw Brady butchering 17 year old Edward Evans to death that it all came out and the pair were caught.

People reacted to this production with the expected mixed emotions. It was always going to be one of the most controversial productions the station had ever green-lighted, and there was understandable out-rage, offense and shock from some when it went ahead. But the families of the victims were okay with it and this drama does manage to be as realistic yet sensitive as it could possibly be.

This can hardly be described as 'entertaining', but by telling the dark true story that it is, it does play out with the required haunting gusto, with some dark camera shots and a few quiet, reflective scenes.

Performances wise, Sean Harris and Maxine Peake as the two main characters are highly effective, as are some of the supporting cast including George Costigan as the detective who lead the investigation that brought the pair to justice. Some of the others might need to brush up on their craft a bit, but they do not stop what is generally a well made and very effective timely re-telling of events nobody wanted to know but had to hear. ****