Don't get me wrong, the episode was pretty much outstanding, but I do find it one of the more harrowing Kavanagh episodes. We don't see any war crimes being committed, but we hear about them, and the details are really quite shocking. The dialogue has to be the most harrowing(in terms of details) and somewhat intelligent dialogue in a Kavanagh episode. The direction is subtle, as it should be, the production values if darker than usual are lovely and the music is great as always. The acting is great, John Thaw is excellent as per usual, while Frederick Treves is suitably intense as the doctor accused of the war crimes. Overall, quite harrowing but outstanding all the same. 10/10 Bethany Cox
2 Reviews
Ancient History
Prismark1023 October 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Kavanagh turns prosecutor. In his sights is a retired doctor who has been accused of being a war criminal.
Dr Alexander Beck has lived a respectable life in Britain. He has anglicised his name and his son is a successful businessman.
One man Avram Rypin (Warren Mitchell) has been constantly standing outside his house accusing Beck of being a war criminal. New war crimes legislation means Beck can now be prosecuted after several people identify him.
Some of the harrowing procedures Beck carried out in the concentration camp included, freezing people to almost death, making people drink sea water to see if they went mad.
However the witnesses against Beck are old and infirm. Memories might have faded and the testimony may not be reliable.
Beck has got himself a formidable barrister, Giles Culpepper QC (Bill Nighy) to defend him.
The episode is essentially in two parts. There is a short segment set in a magistrate court for the committal proceedings. Then the trial itself where one witness goes missing and the others get cross examined.
This is a fast moving episode, including one character going to Poland to fetch a witness. It really is a case of whether Beck is guilty or is it mistaken identity.
Given the mistakes Culpepper makes, Beck should had asked for a refund.
Dr Alexander Beck has lived a respectable life in Britain. He has anglicised his name and his son is a successful businessman.
One man Avram Rypin (Warren Mitchell) has been constantly standing outside his house accusing Beck of being a war criminal. New war crimes legislation means Beck can now be prosecuted after several people identify him.
Some of the harrowing procedures Beck carried out in the concentration camp included, freezing people to almost death, making people drink sea water to see if they went mad.
However the witnesses against Beck are old and infirm. Memories might have faded and the testimony may not be reliable.
Beck has got himself a formidable barrister, Giles Culpepper QC (Bill Nighy) to defend him.
The episode is essentially in two parts. There is a short segment set in a magistrate court for the committal proceedings. Then the trial itself where one witness goes missing and the others get cross examined.
This is a fast moving episode, including one character going to Poland to fetch a witness. It really is a case of whether Beck is guilty or is it mistaken identity.
Given the mistakes Culpepper makes, Beck should had asked for a refund.
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