Messiah: The Promise 

As a prison riot erupts into violence, Red comes face to face with the ring leader: the man who once held him hostage and nearly drove him mad. But what they don't know is a killer's amongst them, preying on their weaknesses.

Creator:

Boris Starling

Stars:

Anthony Lennon, Rufus Jones, Olivia Busby

Cast

Series cast summary:
Anthony Lennon	...	Porter 2 episodes, 2004
Rufus Jones	...	TV Reporter 2 episodes, 2004
Olivia Busby	...	Assistant to Clare Fenton 2 episodes, 2004
Leo Bill	...	Gerry White 2 episodes, 2004
Liam Cunningham	...	Pace Tierney 2 episodes, 2004
Michael Bertenshaw	...	Gov. William Houseman / ... 2 episodes, 2004
Jimmy Flint	...	Leo Symons 2 episodes, 2004
Philip Wright	...	PO Peter Reeves / ... 2 episodes, 2004
Andrew Pleavin	...	PO Darrell Teague / ... 2 episodes, 2004
Clare Holman	...	Jaine Ellis 2 episodes, 2004
Rosa Harris	...	Young Kate 2 episodes, 2004
Pip Torrens	...	DCI Walmsely / ... 2 episodes, 2004
James Wren	...	Surveillance Officer #1 / ... 2 episodes, 2004
George Potts	...	Surveillance Officer #2 / ... 2 episodes, 2004
Badria Timimi	...	Pharmacist 2 episodes, 2004
Phil Atkinson	...	PO Lloyd 2 episodes, 2004
Paul Copley	...	Ian Fleet 2 episodes, 2004
Darrell D'Silva	...	Sal Meti 2 episodes, 2004
Neil Dudgeon	...	DI Duncan Warren 2 episodes, 2004
Tom Ellis	...	Dr. Philip Ryder 2 episodes, 2004
Michelle Forbes	...	Susan Metcalfe 2 episodes, 2004
Shiv Grewal	...	Dr. Aktar Aziz 2 episodes, 2004
Frances Grey	...	DS Kate Beauchamp 2 episodes, 2004
Jasper Harris	...	Young Brother 2 episodes, 2004
Michelle Joseph	...	Anaesthesist 2 episodes, 2004
Valerie Lilley	...	Maureen Fleet 2 episodes, 2004
Michael Maloney	...	Carl Henderson 2 episodes, 2004
James Mellor	...	Survalliance Officer 2 episodes, 2004
Joanne Pearce	...	Gina Meti 2 episodes, 2004
Sally Rogers	...	Dr. Worth 2 episodes, 2004
Catherine Russell	...	Clare Fenton 2 episodes, 2004
Chris Ryman	...	DC Hardy 2 episodes, 2004
Amanda St. John	...	DC Percival 2 episodes, 2004
Ken Stott	...	DCI Red Metcalfe 2 episodes, 2004
Sam Troughton	...	Thomas Stone 2 episodes, 2004

Storyline

As a prison riot erupts into violence, Red comes face to face with the ring leader: the man who once held him hostage and nearly drove him mad. Injured prisoners are moved to a crumbling, overstretched hospital. But what they don't know is a killer's amongst them, preying on their weaknesses. As the vicious murders spiral out of control, can Red and his team put aside their own emotional torment and find a method in his madness?

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Plot Keywords:

tv mini series | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Details

Official Sites:

BBC [UK]

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English British Sign Language

Release Date:

30 August 2004 (UK)

Also Known As:

Gyilkos megváltó 3. - Az ígéret

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

BBC Northern Ireland, Paramount International Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

180 min (2 parts)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

During Gerry White's post mortem, when the scalpel cuts into his chest, blood runs down his neck. This blood is missing in the following shot.

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Connections

Follows Messiah (2001)

User Reviews

More deaths, more mystery, less gore...

MESSIAH: THE PROMISE

Aspect ratio: 1.78:1

Sound format: Stereo

Following a horrific prison riot, injured inmates are taken to a local hospital where they're stalked by a merciless serial killer.

Third in a series of BBC/Paramount co-productions which began in 2001 with MESSIAH, an adaptation of the novel by Boris Starling which introduced the character of Red Metcalfe (played on-screen by intense Scottish actor Ken Stott), a battle-scarred police detective who specializes in major crimes. This complex opener weaved themes of betrayal and redemption into a genuinely frightening scenario in which a psychopath uses religious iconography as motive for a series of appalling murders (no kidding - this one gives SE7EN a run for it's money!). MESSIAH 2: VENGEANCE IS MINE (2002) uses much the same template but is less sure-footed in narrative terms, with an especially poor climactic 'reveal', and a motive which renders the killings both excessive and pointless.

Like the first sequel, "The Promise" ups the number of victims whilst downplaying the gore (big mistake), but Lizzie Mickery's elaborate script focuses attention on one of Stott's colleagues (Frances Grey), an experienced detective plagued by nightmares of a childhood trauma which may - or may not - be connected to the current wave of atrocities. Seasoned mystery addicts will guess the killer's identity fairly quickly, but few will predict the ironic twist which closes proceedings on a note of quiet tragedy. As with previous entries in this ambitious series, the movie combines police proceduralism with scenes of Gothic horror (the fate of the character played by IL CARTAIO's Liam Cunningham is especially shocking), while Stott and his team strive to unravel a series of increasingly bizarre clues, some of which begin to point uncomfortably close to home. Though not even half as good as the original MESSIAH, this third entry is a powerful thriller in its own right, with a strong ensemble cast and impeccable technical credits. Directed by David Drury (HOSTILE WATERS), and followed by MESSIAH: THE HARROWING (2005).