Overall I like this series. I enjoy Tennison's character and the the length of each episode, as well as the great acting by the supporting cast. I do however sometimes stumble on the issue with her running into situations alone with no backup and not even bothering to call and let her team know where she is. When she arrives to the warehouse at the end and her radio doesn't work my first thought was where was her phone? And then she gets a call and it's stuck in her damn waistband! She could've called ahead while she was driving and told them the general direction she was heading. Then she's up against an armed subject and she has no weapon. I know she's supposed to be trained in investigation but in some areas she seems really dense and slow to catch on. Very frustrating in how they've crafted this character - sleeping with married men but won't budge the moral line in other areas?
20 Reviews
Come on Dibbles
arsenal-aaron27 April 2015
As good a show these days as it was back in 1996.
Always interesting to see what the actors are doing these days.
Not just the main cast but the minor players as well.
All cast are on top form with stand out performances from Steve Macintosh ,David O Hara, Julia Lane and the ever dependable Helen Mirren .
A great script but with a grubby feel of city life with a realistic look at the drug scene. Really enjoyed it again even after eighteen years as it has dated very little.
I bought the box set from Amazon and this is by far the best story line from the entire set. 8/10
Always interesting to see what the actors are doing these days.
Not just the main cast but the minor players as well.
All cast are on top form with stand out performances from Steve Macintosh ,David O Hara, Julia Lane and the ever dependable Helen Mirren .
A great script but with a grubby feel of city life with a realistic look at the drug scene. Really enjoyed it again even after eighteen years as it has dated very little.
I bought the box set from Amazon and this is by far the best story line from the entire set. 8/10
Intense and at the Edge
VRBC28 January 2000
Most of the Prime Suspect Series are gritty but this one is the most intense. The nothing to lose attitude of the "bad guys" added with the subtle defeatist attitude of the detective team brings this movie to almost a horror boiling point.
Of course Superintendent Jane Tennison doesn't know or have such problem. Even in this new assignment and new culture Tennison is her usual "get the bad guy at all cost" self. It's a must see but you might not want to watch it alone.
Of course Superintendent Jane Tennison doesn't know or have such problem. Even in this new assignment and new culture Tennison is her usual "get the bad guy at all cost" self. It's a must see but you might not want to watch it alone.
Superb acting, penetrating story, the cream of the crop
bludwig215 August 2004
I remembered the original Prime Suspect TV mini-series as being very good. I decided to re-watch them (with no interruptions this time) on DVD. I rarely re-watch anything, but seeing this series again was like basking in quality.
The acting is sometimes staggeringly good. The story lines are always great, of course I responded to some of the series more than others. Prime Suspect 3 was very dark, but great. Prime Suspect 5 is concerned with real life conflict. There is a mole in the department but who is it? When the answer is revealed, there is no cut and dry conclusion as to their fate, which turns out to be very satisfactory.
My wife and I go to the movies a lot and seeing the Prime Suspect series made ALL the other movies we were watching on the big screen pale in comparison. Even Collateral, which I consider a finely crafted movie just isn't in the same league.
The acting is sometimes staggeringly good. The story lines are always great, of course I responded to some of the series more than others. Prime Suspect 3 was very dark, but great. Prime Suspect 5 is concerned with real life conflict. There is a mole in the department but who is it? When the answer is revealed, there is no cut and dry conclusion as to their fate, which turns out to be very satisfactory.
My wife and I go to the movies a lot and seeing the Prime Suspect series made ALL the other movies we were watching on the big screen pale in comparison. Even Collateral, which I consider a finely crafted movie just isn't in the same league.
Aptly titled.
grendelkhan28 February 2004
Warning: Spoilers
Spoilers:
At the end of Prime Suspect 4, Jane Tennison was subjected to disciplinary action for disobeying orders, despite her actions resulting in the safe rescue of an abducted woman and the capture of a serial killer. Her enemies used these events to destroy her career in the Metropolitan Police. However, she seemed to develop a personal relationship that could withstand her inner demons.
As this series unfolds, Tennison is starting a new job, in exile, in Manchester. No mention is made of her previous relationship. What she finds is a depressed city riddled with crime, in the form of a young ganglord, "the Street". The Street seems untouchable, but Tennison vows to bring him down. She also encounters a young boy, Cameron, who wants law and order. Meanwhile, Tennison's new boss seems to appreciate her skills, as well as her body. Tennison enters into an affair, despite their professional relationship and the fact that he is married.
Tennison uncovers a world of street violence, where drugs are mixed in private homes and criminals are cheered by the downtrodden. Her police team seems ineffective, and possibly corrupt. One of them is a promising detective, who is much like Tennison. She immediately finds herself at odds with Tennison, who she respects, but can't understand.
Ultimately, this series comes across more like an old gangster movie than the police drama we've come to expect. The Street seems too invincible, for someone operating independently. Added to this is the intriguing, but implausible idea that the Chief Superintendent is in league with the criminal. Also, the affair with Tennison seems out of character for her. Although Tennison has been involved with police officers before, it seems that she would be unlikely to further jeopardize her career by sleeping with her boss. Maybe, at this point, she feels she has nothing to lose, but I don't think so. Again, I think this series has suffered from the absence of Lynda La Plante. The story is still engaging and the performances are good, but the result is less satisfying. Still, this series, even when stumbling, is at a far higher plane than its contemporaries.
At the end of Prime Suspect 4, Jane Tennison was subjected to disciplinary action for disobeying orders, despite her actions resulting in the safe rescue of an abducted woman and the capture of a serial killer. Her enemies used these events to destroy her career in the Metropolitan Police. However, she seemed to develop a personal relationship that could withstand her inner demons.
As this series unfolds, Tennison is starting a new job, in exile, in Manchester. No mention is made of her previous relationship. What she finds is a depressed city riddled with crime, in the form of a young ganglord, "the Street". The Street seems untouchable, but Tennison vows to bring him down. She also encounters a young boy, Cameron, who wants law and order. Meanwhile, Tennison's new boss seems to appreciate her skills, as well as her body. Tennison enters into an affair, despite their professional relationship and the fact that he is married.
Tennison uncovers a world of street violence, where drugs are mixed in private homes and criminals are cheered by the downtrodden. Her police team seems ineffective, and possibly corrupt. One of them is a promising detective, who is much like Tennison. She immediately finds herself at odds with Tennison, who she respects, but can't understand.
Ultimately, this series comes across more like an old gangster movie than the police drama we've come to expect. The Street seems too invincible, for someone operating independently. Added to this is the intriguing, but implausible idea that the Chief Superintendent is in league with the criminal. Also, the affair with Tennison seems out of character for her. Although Tennison has been involved with police officers before, it seems that she would be unlikely to further jeopardize her career by sleeping with her boss. Maybe, at this point, she feels she has nothing to lose, but I don't think so. Again, I think this series has suffered from the absence of Lynda La Plante. The story is still engaging and the performances are good, but the result is less satisfying. Still, this series, even when stumbling, is at a far higher plane than its contemporaries.
Brit-grit crime drama par excellence
mdewey4 September 2005
Warning: Spoilers
This review is probably as much a testimonial to British film-making in general as it is to this episode in particular. Note the superb execution of the dialog by almost all the actors, utilizing the English language in a most articulatory and fluid manner (and this is supposedly mere police drama)! Jane Tennison's character, in particular, employs skillful use of the expansive and colorful vocabulary of her native tongue, without being pedantic. Note how she chooses the word "metamorphosed" when describing "The Street's" evolution from a juvenile delinquent to a hard core criminal. As an American citizen, I unfortunately find, in most cases, our typical cinematic fare to rate far below the British Isles when it pertains to the articulation and execution of the English language.
That said, this episode in particular is one of the most realistic and hard-hitting crime dramas ever filmed. Note how often you actually see anyone smiling or laughing, except for some doses of dark humor. Helen Mirren shows her finely tuned artistic mettle here as she has to undergo the humiliating transfer to the "northern country", an area totally new to her. Her subordinates are already skeptical of her which makes her segue to her new post even more difficult. She knows this but it doesn't stop her from proceeding along in her indomitable "take-charge" fashion. But it's a few of the little things that separate this dramatic fare from others: note the episode in her apartment in the early morning when she is in a hurry to get going, with one shoe on and desperately looking for the other! A small matter, yet we see in Jane, the super-cop, a subtle vulnerability that is usually absent in similar characterizations. This is downright good writing, directing and acting.
The rest of the principals deserve kudos for their work, especially Julia Lane as DI Devanney, David O'Hara as DS Rankine and a stunning, chilling performance by Steven MacKintosh as "The Street". No disrespect intended for the rest of the cast, each of whom carries out the demands of his role to the fullest. It's as if the entire cast is comprised of people already thrust into the social climate depicted in this drama, that they all have lived and seen first hand the shambles of the drug and violence infested inner city.
But the gritty reminder that the world is far from being fair smacks us in the proverbial chops as the episode is concluded and some people "just don't get caught"!
That said, this episode in particular is one of the most realistic and hard-hitting crime dramas ever filmed. Note how often you actually see anyone smiling or laughing, except for some doses of dark humor. Helen Mirren shows her finely tuned artistic mettle here as she has to undergo the humiliating transfer to the "northern country", an area totally new to her. Her subordinates are already skeptical of her which makes her segue to her new post even more difficult. She knows this but it doesn't stop her from proceeding along in her indomitable "take-charge" fashion. But it's a few of the little things that separate this dramatic fare from others: note the episode in her apartment in the early morning when she is in a hurry to get going, with one shoe on and desperately looking for the other! A small matter, yet we see in Jane, the super-cop, a subtle vulnerability that is usually absent in similar characterizations. This is downright good writing, directing and acting.
The rest of the principals deserve kudos for their work, especially Julia Lane as DI Devanney, David O'Hara as DS Rankine and a stunning, chilling performance by Steven MacKintosh as "The Street". No disrespect intended for the rest of the cast, each of whom carries out the demands of his role to the fullest. It's as if the entire cast is comprised of people already thrust into the social climate depicted in this drama, that they all have lived and seen first hand the shambles of the drug and violence infested inner city.
But the gritty reminder that the world is far from being fair smacks us in the proverbial chops as the episode is concluded and some people "just don't get caught"!
A welcome return to the longer format for Prime suspect
paudie10 December 2011
Warning: Spoilers
Prime Suspect 4 was a bit of a mixed bag so it is great to report that PS5 is of a very high standard.
Having blotted her copybook with the top brass in the Metropolitan Police force DCI Tennison finds herself in Manchester and before long is trying to solve a gangland murder in a flat complex. Suspects are hard to come by but she is convinced a local drug baron is involved somehow.
I prefer the longer format as it allows some lengthy scenes where Tennison and her team of detectives try to get information from a suspect or a witness. Tennison is well able to play good cop and bad cop, sometimes in the same interview! She is also not afraid to show her sympathy for innocent victims and their families and her contempt for the criminal and the corrupt. She also has to deal with the varied personalities of her new team of detectives.
Top quality criminal drama yet again from the Prime Suspect series.
Having blotted her copybook with the top brass in the Metropolitan Police force DCI Tennison finds herself in Manchester and before long is trying to solve a gangland murder in a flat complex. Suspects are hard to come by but she is convinced a local drug baron is involved somehow.
I prefer the longer format as it allows some lengthy scenes where Tennison and her team of detectives try to get information from a suspect or a witness. Tennison is well able to play good cop and bad cop, sometimes in the same interview! She is also not afraid to show her sympathy for innocent victims and their families and her contempt for the criminal and the corrupt. She also has to deal with the varied personalities of her new team of detectives.
Top quality criminal drama yet again from the Prime Suspect series.
Comes Close to outshining PS1
i_eat_coathangers15 October 2001
Prime Suspect 5 is as close as I have seen to outshining the original (though truth be known I have not see 2 or 3). The first thing we notice about PS5 is that Jane Tennison has a new hairdo, and has been moved to a different area (she's there to terrorise those men at Manchester now), and there is a line in the beginning of the film that captures the mood of the station perfectly:
"That bloody Jane Tennison, she'll be storming into your nic, the balls of your best officers trailing from her jaws, spraying people with claret, calling people masons, threatening resignation. Well I just wanted to let you know I'm not a complete maniac." And this line is said by Tennison herself!!!
Jane Tennison's investigations lead her this time into the world of organised crime and drugs, when she goes after a man known as "the street". What makes this miniseries so interesting is that it keeps you gripped until the very last frame, especially when you find out the person who is leaking information to the bad guys is ****************** (thought I was going to tell you didn't you?)
Twists and turns in the plot, an excellent storyline and excellent performances on every part (though Mirren seems to make them all fade into the background with her superior acting ability - I'm a biased member of the HMAS, and I'm the biggest fan of Helen Mirren to ever be, especially because I'm 15!!).
Thankyou, Helen, Thankyou, Lynda LaPlante, and thankyou, channel seven (for actually showing the series - prime suspect is scarcely available on video to buy or hire over here in Oz) - but I'm still waiting for 2 & 3!!!! .....you fink whateva you want babyluv, whateva tickle ya fancey, whateva lift ya dress......
9 out of 10!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"That bloody Jane Tennison, she'll be storming into your nic, the balls of your best officers trailing from her jaws, spraying people with claret, calling people masons, threatening resignation. Well I just wanted to let you know I'm not a complete maniac." And this line is said by Tennison herself!!!
Jane Tennison's investigations lead her this time into the world of organised crime and drugs, when she goes after a man known as "the street". What makes this miniseries so interesting is that it keeps you gripped until the very last frame, especially when you find out the person who is leaking information to the bad guys is ****************** (thought I was going to tell you didn't you?)
Twists and turns in the plot, an excellent storyline and excellent performances on every part (though Mirren seems to make them all fade into the background with her superior acting ability - I'm a biased member of the HMAS, and I'm the biggest fan of Helen Mirren to ever be, especially because I'm 15!!).
Thankyou, Helen, Thankyou, Lynda LaPlante, and thankyou, channel seven (for actually showing the series - prime suspect is scarcely available on video to buy or hire over here in Oz) - but I'm still waiting for 2 & 3!!!! .....you fink whateva you want babyluv, whateva tickle ya fancey, whateva lift ya dress......
9 out of 10!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Weakest in the series
donlessnau-591-63773011 November 2018
It's still Prime Suspect so it's good but as far all the other episodes, this one probably is the weakest. The ending is terrible and sloppy. It feels like the director or writer had no clue how to end it so they just slapped this slappy melodrama at the end. But it was very unsatisfactory. And while the plot line had some potential. it too often fell into trite and hackneyed stereotypes. It's good but certainly not the best or even one of the better ones.
Tennison anyone?
=G=21 June 2004
"Prime Suspect 4" continues the exploits of the inscrutable and dogged seeker of truth and justice, Detective Superintendent Jane Tennison; the first of three miniseries (PS4, PS5, & PS6) with the notable absence of founding writer Lynda La Plante from the credits. Imbued with the same gritty reality of the first three series, the second three series pit Tennison against the forces of evil while coping with middle age, loneliness, indiscretions, a host of personal and professional problems, and resolutions which are sometimes less than ideal. PS4 conjures two stories while PS5 & PS6 are single stories which find Tennison seeking justice on behalf of the brutally wronged while waging war against institutions which are willing to sacrifice the interests of her victims for those of a greater good. In other words, to prevail, Tennison must overcome both evil and good forces, something which makes the always gray scenarios of the PS series yet grayer and the Tennison wars as much a matter of principle as of finding murderers. Very good stuff which only gets better from series to series. (B+)
Errors at the exit
vangamer4 May 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Like the dirty winding backstreets of industrial Manchester, PS 5 takes us on a twisty ride as Tennison takes on a powerhouse drug lord as she investigates a murder.
As a few others of noted, Helen Mirren and the cast are again tremendous even if Tennison makes a few errors in her personal and professional life.
But things really do fizzle in the closing 30 minutes with the veteran cop of 22 years making procedural mistakes that would embarrass a rookie. There's far too much time spent on endless walks through industrial wasteland - and no time left to address key plot holes before the credits roll. Prime Suspect and Mirren are always worth watching but this is a weaker entry in the series.
As a few others of noted, Helen Mirren and the cast are again tremendous even if Tennison makes a few errors in her personal and professional life.
But things really do fizzle in the closing 30 minutes with the veteran cop of 22 years making procedural mistakes that would embarrass a rookie. There's far too much time spent on endless walks through industrial wasteland - and no time left to address key plot holes before the credits roll. Prime Suspect and Mirren are always worth watching but this is a weaker entry in the series.
Even experts seem especially prone to error in judgement
jgcorrea24 October 2019
Prime Suspect's star, Helen Mirren, was indeed irreplaceable. In Errors of Judgment, on the verge of retirement, Jane (Mirren) approaches the case of a missing teenager, which she refuses to abandon until the killer is brought to justice. Simultaneously stricken by personal problems, including her father's illness and her alcoholism, Jane is eventually drawn to a young girl pivot of the case, a smart and fiercely independent sort that reminds her of herself. The story line, as usually, was great. Phil Davies did an excellent job directing, which continued the style employed by Tom Hooper in the previous episodes. Prime Suspect was a TV series that both renewed the post-modern crime series and unfortunately fed the commonplace, undignified sex & violence elements that plague it nowadays.
Disappointing episode for the series
max-5495914 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I've watched them all in order and have been so impressed with the amazing Helen Mirren, and this excellent series, but this one totally fell apart at the end.
When Jane was getting the confession, and she expected that she would, she totally overlooked that The Street's next predictable move would be to kidnap and punish Janice. EVERYONE knew this. So she barges on ahead and is totally surprised when Michael points out that Janice is in danger. Then she calls out the cavalry to rush to Janice's house where, of course, Janice has been kidnapped.
Then Jane conveniently gets a little kid to show her a building where The Street might have taken Janice, rushing off in her car by herself with the kid, although her entire force was with her at Janice's house. She doesn't think to take any of them with her as backup or to call to tell them what she is doing. Jane would have never done anything like this in a previous episode. This, and what ensues, is directly out of a US-produced detective procedural. She enters the building all alone, finds Janice, again predictably, turning her back so that The Street can walk up behind her with a gun. Then more minutes are spent in pointless discussion with The Street and Martin until the gun squad shows up and shoots The Street full of holes. I am so disappointed in this one.....
When Jane was getting the confession, and she expected that she would, she totally overlooked that The Street's next predictable move would be to kidnap and punish Janice. EVERYONE knew this. So she barges on ahead and is totally surprised when Michael points out that Janice is in danger. Then she calls out the cavalry to rush to Janice's house where, of course, Janice has been kidnapped.
Then Jane conveniently gets a little kid to show her a building where The Street might have taken Janice, rushing off in her car by herself with the kid, although her entire force was with her at Janice's house. She doesn't think to take any of them with her as backup or to call to tell them what she is doing. Jane would have never done anything like this in a previous episode. This, and what ensues, is directly out of a US-produced detective procedural. She enters the building all alone, finds Janice, again predictably, turning her back so that The Street can walk up behind her with a gun. Then more minutes are spent in pointless discussion with The Street and Martin until the gun squad shows up and shoots The Street full of holes. I am so disappointed in this one.....
What a disappointment.
Wirefan1228 December 2011
Warning: Spoilers
Did all the reviewers watch this movie? Normally this series is exceptional. The acting is first rate and is here also.
Jane Tennison is demoted and goes to a district away from London and encounters a murder almost immediately. She is put in charge and meets the usual standoffish bunch of detectives who don't like outsiders and apparently have heard of her reputation of not sitting still (very sexist). She doesn't care and charges into the investigation.
The plot involves a drug kingpin who also murders whoever stands in his way. A thoroughly despicable character who toys with the police and is always one step ahead of them. This plot is quite well done until the last 30 minutes or so. Talk about frustrating! Tennison knows there is a mole in the department and when she finds out who it is she sets up an interview with a witness knowing full well that the police department leak will give the info to The Street (the villain), who will of course then go after the witness's girlfriend.
It's frustrating to watch as you realize that no police were posted to the girlfriend's house to watch her. So the villain goes and gets her and terrorizes her and is eventually saved. How hard would it have been to post a unmarked car or something like that? Sorry but the previous 4 installments were topnotch and this one was too until the wheels fell off.
Jane Tennison is demoted and goes to a district away from London and encounters a murder almost immediately. She is put in charge and meets the usual standoffish bunch of detectives who don't like outsiders and apparently have heard of her reputation of not sitting still (very sexist). She doesn't care and charges into the investigation.
The plot involves a drug kingpin who also murders whoever stands in his way. A thoroughly despicable character who toys with the police and is always one step ahead of them. This plot is quite well done until the last 30 minutes or so. Talk about frustrating! Tennison knows there is a mole in the department and when she finds out who it is she sets up an interview with a witness knowing full well that the police department leak will give the info to The Street (the villain), who will of course then go after the witness's girlfriend.
It's frustrating to watch as you realize that no police were posted to the girlfriend's house to watch her. So the villain goes and gets her and terrorizes her and is eventually saved. How hard would it have been to post a unmarked car or something like that? Sorry but the previous 4 installments were topnotch and this one was too until the wheels fell off.
Lucky Man
UACW6 June 2006
It just gets better. What's to fault in this one? Is there anything? No. Curious how they interweave string quartet music through it - that's a new one. And it's stark - it brings a quality of immediacy and tragedy to it.
Like all in this series, this has a long running time. Like everything in this series, nothing is set in stone. This is longer than many of the others. It's timed at 200 minutes which means a long time in front of the screen.
But it's worth it. This is a strong drama like all of them, and not in the least because of Steven Mackintosh who plays one of the all-time creeps of silver screen or television.
I checked his filmography and saw he's done quite a lot of work and I was surprised because I don't remember ever seeing him before. He really takes out the stops on this one.
As always the story is well written and deftly directed. It's another masterpiece - and it's for television which is the surprise.
And as always, you have to reckon Taylor Hackford's a lucky man.
Like all in this series, this has a long running time. Like everything in this series, nothing is set in stone. This is longer than many of the others. It's timed at 200 minutes which means a long time in front of the screen.
But it's worth it. This is a strong drama like all of them, and not in the least because of Steven Mackintosh who plays one of the all-time creeps of silver screen or television.
I checked his filmography and saw he's done quite a lot of work and I was surprised because I don't remember ever seeing him before. He really takes out the stops on this one.
As always the story is well written and deftly directed. It's another masterpiece - and it's for television which is the surprise.
And as always, you have to reckon Taylor Hackford's a lucky man.
Another Juggernaut of British Crime Drama
TRussellMorris10 September 2015
Warning: Spoilers
What can I say, one of my favorite of the 7 series, along with 1 and 3. I've always told everyone I knew, being an American, that the reason I've never been able to stand American TV (Aside from Sci-fi shows) Is because of just a few shows as standards across almost every genre. In the Crime Genre, again, Britain takes the cake, the crown and every prize in-between. Prime Suspect, Cracker and Wire in the Blood set a standard for criminal drama unmatched by anything anywhere on earth.
PS 5, is once again a juggernaut of engaging drama, tension and expert weaving of both overt and subtle story lines. Helen as usual is "Prime", I did miss the absence of many of the standard team-mates I had come to admire in the first 4 series. But this new team stood the test, as always, with varied personalities that made me wish the series was 2000 minutes instead of 200.
And what's to say about "The Street"...not since J.R. Ewing (Back when I was a teen) have I found myself so enamored with darkness, he is such a hateful psycho that repulses, yet one can't help but be attracted to his power and charisma, (as guilty as that makes one feel). He's pretty fit in appearance as well. The fact that the series makes clear, though so subtle in nature that one hardly notices, that on top of everything else. He's Gay. Making (At least for Gay guys anyway) the whole love/hate thing even more powerful. Adding more to the already tense and fulfilling series.
Along with Cracker and Wire In The Blood, and with a few other shows of other genres. Americans have to pay out the backside for these shows, I paid a huge amount for the complete 7 series DVD box set. But It was, as with the others, worth every penny.
In conclusion, one has to say, that no one who considers themselves a collector of phenomenal cinema, especially if you're a crime series buff, should be without this series in their library. Bravo, Brava, and I only wish they'd made 40 of these series instead of 7 because I could never ever get enough.
PS 5, is once again a juggernaut of engaging drama, tension and expert weaving of both overt and subtle story lines. Helen as usual is "Prime", I did miss the absence of many of the standard team-mates I had come to admire in the first 4 series. But this new team stood the test, as always, with varied personalities that made me wish the series was 2000 minutes instead of 200.
And what's to say about "The Street"...not since J.R. Ewing (Back when I was a teen) have I found myself so enamored with darkness, he is such a hateful psycho that repulses, yet one can't help but be attracted to his power and charisma, (as guilty as that makes one feel). He's pretty fit in appearance as well. The fact that the series makes clear, though so subtle in nature that one hardly notices, that on top of everything else. He's Gay. Making (At least for Gay guys anyway) the whole love/hate thing even more powerful. Adding more to the already tense and fulfilling series.
Along with Cracker and Wire In The Blood, and with a few other shows of other genres. Americans have to pay out the backside for these shows, I paid a huge amount for the complete 7 series DVD box set. But It was, as with the others, worth every penny.
In conclusion, one has to say, that no one who considers themselves a collector of phenomenal cinema, especially if you're a crime series buff, should be without this series in their library. Bravo, Brava, and I only wish they'd made 40 of these series instead of 7 because I could never ever get enough.
Jane Tennison and the drug scene
TheLittleSongbird5 August 2017
The first three 'Prime Suspect' series were absolutely brilliant. 'Prime Suspect IV' changed the format from two episodes compromising of one case for each of the previous three series to three different cases and actually did it very well.
'Prime Suspect V' consists of one case once again with two episodes, aptly titled "Errors of Judgement". So back to the original format and this time dealing with murder on the drug scene. To me, "Errors of Judgement" was wonderful and the best since 'Prime Suspect III', and it was always going to be a daunting task having a series up that the first three series' level. And that is despite also loving the three cases making up 'Prime Suspect IV' ('The Lost Child', 'Inner Circles' and 'Scent of Darkness').
"Errors of Judgement" is stylishly and cleverly filmed, with slick editing and atmospheric lighting, and there is a consistently wonderful atmosphere throughout. It is very gritty, if not quite as dark as 'Prime Suspect III', and effectively claustrophobic. It is very hard to forget the music score too. The scripting, like its predecessor, is some of the best there is of any mystery/detective drama, being superbly constructed and intelligent, plus it is hard to not be impressed by the cunning subtlety of the conflicts.
Story-telling is very compelling and twisty, with an atmosphere that is gritty and harrowing but also intricate and honest. The city life and drug scene aspects really hit hard and are suitably seedy. It is a complex story that keeps one guessing right up to the end while also being easy to follow. Tennison's personal life is balanced very well and never descends into melodrama despite the errors she brought on herself in 'Scent of Darkness' and here.
Jane Tennison continues to be an interesting character, the character and the depiction of the police force was very ahead of the time back in the 90s and holds much fascination now even if not so novel.
Helen Mirren gives a typically magnificent performance in the lead. Julia Lane and David O'Hara are truly excellent also, but Steven Mackintosh's bone-chilling performance lingers long in the memory.
Overall, wonderful. 10/10 Bethany Cox
'Prime Suspect V' consists of one case once again with two episodes, aptly titled "Errors of Judgement". So back to the original format and this time dealing with murder on the drug scene. To me, "Errors of Judgement" was wonderful and the best since 'Prime Suspect III', and it was always going to be a daunting task having a series up that the first three series' level. And that is despite also loving the three cases making up 'Prime Suspect IV' ('The Lost Child', 'Inner Circles' and 'Scent of Darkness').
"Errors of Judgement" is stylishly and cleverly filmed, with slick editing and atmospheric lighting, and there is a consistently wonderful atmosphere throughout. It is very gritty, if not quite as dark as 'Prime Suspect III', and effectively claustrophobic. It is very hard to forget the music score too. The scripting, like its predecessor, is some of the best there is of any mystery/detective drama, being superbly constructed and intelligent, plus it is hard to not be impressed by the cunning subtlety of the conflicts.
Story-telling is very compelling and twisty, with an atmosphere that is gritty and harrowing but also intricate and honest. The city life and drug scene aspects really hit hard and are suitably seedy. It is a complex story that keeps one guessing right up to the end while also being easy to follow. Tennison's personal life is balanced very well and never descends into melodrama despite the errors she brought on herself in 'Scent of Darkness' and here.
Jane Tennison continues to be an interesting character, the character and the depiction of the police force was very ahead of the time back in the 90s and holds much fascination now even if not so novel.
Helen Mirren gives a typically magnificent performance in the lead. Julia Lane and David O'Hara are truly excellent also, but Steven Mackintosh's bone-chilling performance lingers long in the memory.
Overall, wonderful. 10/10 Bethany Cox
great performances, simplistic script
charley-810 November 2005
Warning: Spoilers
What a shame the some of the best performances in the entire _Prime Suspect_ series are squandered, owing to a dopey, simplistic script.
Tennison makes about 20 stupid mistakes: releasing an endangered suspect without providing protection or surveillance, histrionically aggressive questioning that somehow neglects many basic points: for example, obvious tactics, such as threatening to spread the word that a detainee has spilled his/her guts and then telling the detainee he/she will be put on the street without any assistance. Made me wish for Kojak to magically appear. I could go on and on, but want to avoid spoilers.
Tennison makes about 20 stupid mistakes: releasing an endangered suspect without providing protection or surveillance, histrionically aggressive questioning that somehow neglects many basic points: for example, obvious tactics, such as threatening to spread the word that a detainee has spilled his/her guts and then telling the detainee he/she will be put on the street without any assistance. Made me wish for Kojak to magically appear. I could go on and on, but want to avoid spoilers.
back to four hours
SnoopyStyle25 November 2016
Supt. Jane Tennison (Helen Mirren) is sent up north. She witnesses an organized thieve ring. The kids she talks to are cynical. Drug mule Nazir is killed and Tennison has a case. The Street is the leader of the drug gang and he's immediately the prime suspect. He sees himself as the celebrity ruler and blessed constantly escaping prosecution. He's not the killer and tries to find the killer himself as a gang war looms. DC Henry Adeliyeka, DI Devanney, and DS Rankine are the main investigators for Tennison who starts sleeping with the married boss. Local kid Campbell Lafferty comes in and confesses to the shooting.
The franchise is going back to the extended episode which ends up with quite a bit of filler. This could easily be turned back to the previous two hour slot. Julia Lane and David O'Hara are great supporting actors in this. There is always Mirren. Steven Mackintosh plays The Street a little over the top. There are scarier ways to play the character. Overall, this is solid Prime Suspect but a little stretched.
The franchise is going back to the extended episode which ends up with quite a bit of filler. This could easily be turned back to the previous two hour slot. Julia Lane and David O'Hara are great supporting actors in this. There is always Mirren. Steven Mackintosh plays The Street a little over the top. There are scarier ways to play the character. Overall, this is solid Prime Suspect but a little stretched.
Good thriller, terrific performances by O'Hara and Mackintosh
na20221 April 2000
This was the only Prime Suspect movie I saw. The story was good and very intense. Its main attractions are the phenomenal, awesome David O'Hara, a great actor in a good-cop character, and Steven Mackintosh, who was electrifying as a psycho drug dealer. But to put as great an actress as Helen Mirren in that PITIFUL character was just very sad. I don't know who came up with that character, but Tennison's errors of judgment were so lame and plenty that the character herself made me awfully embarrassed of being female. If male chauvinists ever need a proof positive that women ARE the inferior gender, they should look no further. A person like that can't be trusted with boiling an egg, let alone superintending in the PD. If you want to see Mirren in a role worthy of her talent, AND another mesmerizing performance by David O'Hara, go see "Some Mother's Son". But don't get me wrong: this is absolutely worth seeing!
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