6 out of 6 people found the following review helpful:

More of that please!

brianmcgee from from Oxford, 22nd June, 2008

With not even half a year since its first airing, this historical drama - with its unique and inspired top-class acting, along with the eerie atmosphere (relying more on the viewer's imagination than on CGI) - have contributed for this drama to be highly regarded by most who watched it. Also worth mentioning are the tongue-and-cheek dialogues, fairly accurate historical facts boiling in a ever-present caldroom containing the good, the bad and the ugly of that time which, although gone centuries ago, makes us think - at this day and age - that the producers' and crew's approach couldn't have been more comtemporary. It'll be a real shame if Channel 4 doesn't commition any additional seasons and miss out the opportunity of catching up with the same talented cast and crew. Relegating it in this way, to another usually-misintrerpreted Hollywood approach with a completely different (not-so-inspired) cast in the not so near future. The first step has been reached at least: For it's already conquered a well-deserved cult status among its fans.

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*** May contain spoilers ***

Grim but excellent

lanfranc from from London, 10th November, 2009

Watching some of the cast interviews etc after enjoying this series, I was left with the impression that the cast and crew didn't quite appreciate how dark the series they had made is. Though the format - essentially a series of typically British 'detective stories' clothed in 18th Century garb - is fairly predictable, I was taken aback by how grim and gritty the whole series was. There's not much redemption in here: London is grim and violent and our 'heroes' move in particularly violent circles within. The production, with very clever use of animation, is superb. Costumes, set design, script, acting all very good indeed. There are a few unsuccessful experiments - the black character who is initially part of Fielding's crew doesn't work convincingly at all (and - I hope this isn't too much of a spoiler) is got rid of after a few episodes. But that's a rare problem. If you like detective stories and costume/historical dramas, you'll probably enjoy this. Just beware the violence - not one for watching with mother (or the kids for that matter).

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