"Edge of Darkness" (1985) TV mini-series

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

4 August 1986 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Thriller

Plot:

The mysterious death of his activist daughter, leads her straight-laced father, an Inspector of the local police force...

Plot Keywords:

Nuclear | Police | Environmental | Nuclear Plant | Political

Awards:

7 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

Bob Peck	...	Ronald Craven (6 episodes, 1985)
Joe Don Baker	...	Darius Jedburgh (6 episodes, 1985)
Charles Kay	...	Pendleton (6 episodes, 1985)
Ian McNeice	...	Harcourt (5 episodes, 1985)
Joanne Whalley	...	Emma Craven (5 episodes, 1985)
Hugh Fraser	...	Bennett (4 episodes, 1985)
John Woodvine	...	Ross (4 episodes, 1985)
Jack Watson	...	James Godbolt (4 episodes, 1985)
Allan Cuthbertson	...	Chilwell (4 episodes, 1985)
Kenneth Nelson	...	Grogan (3 episodes, 1985)
David Fleeshman	...	Jones (3 episodes, 1985)
Zoë Wanamaker	...	Clemmy / ... (3 episodes, 1985)
Bill Stewart	...	Dingle (3 episodes, 1985)
T.R. Bowen	...	Childs (3 episodes, 1985)
Imogen Staley	...	Young Emma (3 episodes, 1985)
Paul Humpoletz	...	Elham (2 episodes, 1985)
Sarah Martin	...	Polly Pelham (2 episodes, 1985)
Paul Williamson	...	Bewes (2 episodes, 1985)
Tim McInnerny	...	Terry Shields (2 episodes, 1985)

Series Directed by
Martin Campbell		(6 episodes, 1985)

Series Writing credits
Troy Kennedy-Martin		(6 episodes, 1985)

Series Produced by
Michael Wearing	....	producer (6 episodes, 1985)

Series Original Music by
Eric Clapton		(6 episodes, 1985)
Michael Kamen		(6 episodes, 1985)

Series Cinematography by
Andrew Dunn		(6 episodes, 1985)

Series Film Editing by
Ardan Fisher		(3 episodes, 1985)
Dan Rae		(3 episodes, 1985)

Series Production Design by
Graeme Thomson		(6 episodes, 1985)

Series Costume Design by
Denver Hall		(6 episodes, 1985)

Series Makeup Department
Daphne Croker	....	makeup designer (6 episodes, 1985)
Norma Webb	....	assistant makeup artist (unknown episodes)

Series Production Management
Rosemary Padvaiskas	....	production manager (6 episodes, 1985)

Series Art Department
Robin Rumbelow	....	properties buyer (6 episodes, 1985)
Andy Coward	....	graphic designer (2 episodes, 1985)

Series Sound Department
Richard Bird	....	film sound (6 episodes, 1985)
Rob James	....	dubbing mixer (6 episodes, 1985)
Christopher Swanton	....	dubbing editor (5 episodes, 1985)

Series Visual Effects by
Mat Irvine	....	visual effects (4 episodes, 1985)

Series Stunts
Terry Cade	....	stunts (1 episode, 1985)
Frank Henson	....	stunts (1 episode, 1985)
Dave Holland	....	stunts (1 episode, 1985)
Terence Plummer	....	stunts (unknown episodes)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
John Palmer	....	film lighting electrician (6 episodes, 1985)
Jim Monks	....	grip (3 episodes, 1985)
Phil Brookes	....	electrician (unknown episodes)
Martin Healey	....	electrician (unknown episodes)
John Ward	....	Steadicam operator (unknown episodes)

Series Other crew
Alison Barnett	....	location manager (6 episodes, 1985)
Michael Bartley	....	production associate (6 episodes, 1985)
Simon Cellan Jones	....	assistant floor manager (6 episodes, 1985)
Scott Thompson	....	assistant floor manager (6 episodes, 1985)
Valerie Tuner	....	production assistant (6 episodes, 1985)
Mark Lyons	....	assistant floor manager (2 episodes, 1985)
Richard Bonehill	....	stand-in (unknown episodes)
Walt Patterson	....	series advisor (unknown episodes)

Production Companies

• British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
• Lionheart Television International

Distributors

• British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) (original airing)
• Vídeo Network (Brazil) (VHS)

Runtime:

317 min (6 parts) | Australia:307 min | Brazil:270 min (video version)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

Gleneagles, Perth and Kinross, Scotland, UK

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Trivia:

Joe Don Baker's character Jedburgh is the same as the code name of a WWII sabotage group that worked with the French underground to parachute agents behind enemy lines. The code name was taken from a Scotish town. His character's name is therefore suggestive of the sort of part he will play in the drama.

Quotes:

Ronald 'Ron' Craven: They all drowned.
Emma Craven: I know. I was there.
Ronald 'Ron' Craven: Why didn't you tell me?
Emma Craven: Dad... you were on their side
Ronald 'Ron' Craven: No!

Movie Connections:

Remade as Edge of Darkness (2010)

Soundtrack:

Christian Militia

Dont worry about the length, feel the quality!

I am unsurprised to find this miniseries rated 9.2. It remains one of the most powerful, heart and gut wrenching thrillers of all time. Some other reviewers have commented that Edge of Darkness represents the true potential of television as a dramatic medium. It's length (as a miniseries) probably presaged the future of high quality per hour viewing that has become a staple output of English 'Crime/Thriller' miniseries(nobody does crime better) or perhaps the Sopranos - however -all comparisons aside, the sheer power of the story is remarkable.

If a key to a story is to have sympathy and empathy for its characters, Bob Peck's portrayal of the descent into despair and insanity of Inspector Ronald Craven is a powerhouse. We experience the absolute depths of his personal horror at the loss of his child in curious circumstances and as he delves deeper, we are drawn into his pain and shock at the secret life of his child.

Edge of darkness has so many things going for it , it's hard to know where to start - honest, egdy performances, crisp writing and dialogue, layers of intrigue, the eerie and beautiful soundtrack of Michael Kamen and Eric Clapton - (sigh) - its smart, scary and challenging.

If you are a student of film/tv, see it. If you are jaded with current shows, go back and watch it and see the possibilities. It is an example of the art form at its most effective, making us part of the story and carrying us into its emotion.