The Suspicions of Mr Whicher: The Murder at Road Hill House

Original title: The Murder at Road Hill House

Episode aired Apr 25, 2011
TV-14TV-14
1h 35m

S1.E1

Based on true events. Scotland Yard Detective Inspector Jack Whicher is sent to rural Wiltshire to investigate the horrific murder of a three-year-old boy.Based on true events. Scotland Yard Detective Inspector Jack Whicher is sent to rural Wiltshire to investigate the horrific murder of a three-year-old boy.Based on true events. Scotland Yard Detective Inspector Jack Whicher is sent to rural Wiltshire to investigate the horrific murder of a three-year-old boy.

Director
- James Hawes
Writers
- Kate Summerscale(book)
- Neil McKay
Stars

Top credits

See production, box office & company info

See more at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 nomination

Photos100

Peter Capaldi in The Murder at Road Hill House (2011)

Donald Sumpter in The Suspicions of Mr Whicher (2011)

Tom Georgeson in The Suspicions of Mr Whicher (2011)

Peter Capaldi and Paddy Considine in The Suspicions of Mr Whicher (2011)

Richard Lintern in The Suspicions of Mr Whicher (2011)

Lucy Scarfe in The Suspicions of Mr Whicher (2011)

Julian Firth in The Suspicions of Mr Whicher (2011)

Director
- James Hawes
Writers
- Kate Summerscale(book)
- Neil McKay
All cast & crew
See more cast details at IMDbPro

Based on true events. Scotland Yard Detective Inspector Jack Whicher is sent to rural Wiltshire to investigate the horrific murder of a three-year-old boy.

police officer murder scotland yard confession detective inspector 30 more

Trivia
Unlike the end of this movie, Jack Whicher never left the force. Though his reputation was tarnished by failing to close the case, over the years he built it back up, eventually reaching the rank of assistant superintendent, retiring in 1881 and passing away later that year. Only this first movie is based on a real case: the rest are works of fiction.

Connections
Featured in Crime Connections: Episode #1.6 (2012)

Top review

7/10

Why the negativity?

I'm surprised by the generally negative reviews for this production. Some reviewers seem to want the writers to re-write history to replicate an Agatha Christie story. The fact is, this story was based on reality, not on Christie's tropes and formulas. The fact is, sometimes crimes work out as this one did, with an unsatisfying ending. The detective doesn't call all the suspects to a meeting where he reveals his genius at deduction, or cause the suspect to reveal him/herself in dramatic fashion.

I found this well acted and well written. Not great, but quite good, and well worth the watching. Maybe if Captain Hastings' grandfather had showed up for comic relief, more people would have liked it. Personally, I found the straight drama well done and satisfying.

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