British mystery at its absolute finest. Death of an Expert witness is long, but loaded with rich content, compelling characters, and fine performances, a masterclass from lead actor Roy Marsden.
Some will find the direction and pacing too laden, but it's that pace that allows the story to develop, the characters to grow, and the resulting conclusion to come as a big surprise.
It's very much a product of the elegant eighties, with Lesbianism something of a taboo subject, and Stella referred to as a friend, rather then partner, and of course we get some eighties glamour, in the form of Domenica, who genuinely looks dazzling at times, a fine performance from Meg Davies.
Marsden stands out of course, but he's in good company, Fiona Walker and Geoffrey Palmer shine, only Andrew Ray feels somewhat wooden as Bradley.
It's a great story, from a book I'd highly recommend, but this is a fantastic adaptation, and very faithful. This is the best of the PD James adaptations, and I must at this point highlight the sublime music, the score is one of television's greatest.
A truly great watch. 9/10.
Some will find the direction and pacing too laden, but it's that pace that allows the story to develop, the characters to grow, and the resulting conclusion to come as a big surprise.
It's very much a product of the elegant eighties, with Lesbianism something of a taboo subject, and Stella referred to as a friend, rather then partner, and of course we get some eighties glamour, in the form of Domenica, who genuinely looks dazzling at times, a fine performance from Meg Davies.
Marsden stands out of course, but he's in good company, Fiona Walker and Geoffrey Palmer shine, only Andrew Ray feels somewhat wooden as Bradley.
It's a great story, from a book I'd highly recommend, but this is a fantastic adaptation, and very faithful. This is the best of the PD James adaptations, and I must at this point highlight the sublime music, the score is one of television's greatest.
A truly great watch. 9/10.