I must admit to having watched this adaptation before reading the book, if I'm honest I preferred the text.
As an adaptation it's very good, but it does suffer with pacing issues, some episodes are loaded with content, such as Parts two and six, whilst others managed to feel very padded.
The mystery is very intriguing, with a truly excellent set of characters, plenty of suspense and intrigue. You will wonder about the victim, their sudden religious conversion, and the behaviour of their so called loved ones.
You are made to wait to get the answers that you want, Part five serves as a real teaser, in that it offers you several suspects and lots of red herrings, part six is outstanding.
The acting is on point, there isn't a single weak link in the chain, Marsden as always is terrific, he's in great company, Downie, Fullerton, Davies and Marsh. Wendy Hiller is outrageously good, and adds a true star quality, it's a role not to dissimilar to her one in Orient Express.
It's not a dynamic production, it's quite static and beige at times, Fiona Fullerton adds a huge amount of eighties glamour as Lady Berowne.
As an adaptation it's very good, but it does suffer with pacing issues, some episodes are loaded with content, such as Parts two and six, whilst others managed to feel very padded.
The mystery is very intriguing, with a truly excellent set of characters, plenty of suspense and intrigue. You will wonder about the victim, their sudden religious conversion, and the behaviour of their so called loved ones.
You are made to wait to get the answers that you want, Part five serves as a real teaser, in that it offers you several suspects and lots of red herrings, part six is outstanding.
The acting is on point, there isn't a single weak link in the chain, Marsden as always is terrific, he's in great company, Downie, Fullerton, Davies and Marsh. Wendy Hiller is outrageously good, and adds a true star quality, it's a role not to dissimilar to her one in Orient Express.
It's not a dynamic production, it's quite static and beige at times, Fiona Fullerton adds a huge amount of eighties glamour as Lady Berowne.