"Touching Evil" (1997) TV mini-series

User Rating:

8.1/10   

Creator:

Paul Abbott

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

7 June 1999 (Sweden)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

Plot:

Touching Evil is a crime drama following the exploits of a crack squad on the Organised & Serial Crime Unit...

Plot Keywords:

Police | Murder | TV Mini-Series

Awards:

3 wins & 7 nominations

Cast

Claudie Blakley

...

Mo Morrison (unknown episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:M | Australia:MA (some episodes)

Company:

United Film and Television Productions

Quotes:

Creegan: He's a pimp.

Movie Connections:

Followed by "Touching Evil II" (1998)

Brilliant Start for a Compelling Series

I actually saw part of this series while in London, and about a year later, PBS's Mystery! series picked it up (thank God) and was lucky enough to see all of the "Touching Evil" movies. While I only caught part of it in London, I was immediately compelled by what I saw -- gritty and dark storylines, pushed by characters that were convincing in that you really felt like they witnessed some of the most vicious aspects of human nature. The plots orbit around Robson Green's portrayal of cop Dave Creegan and his serial crime investigation unit as they barrel through London, tracking down serial killers. It's easy enough to say he's the archetypal anti-hero -- he's just gone back on the job from a near-death gunshot wound to the head (he's got a little scar), his family life's gone down the crapper (wife and kids left him), and he really is married to his work. But he's the anti-anti-hero; a Dirty Harry who's a real person. He struggles with his personal life as he tries to be emotionally supportive of his ex-wife's new life (what a concept, eh?), and you can see the pain on his face as he watches his small children with first-hand knowledge of the real evil out in the world. All the "Touching Evil" movies are well-done; each story is unique in its serial killer's modus operandi -- all very macabre. The moody filming adds to the bleakness. The deadpan cold moodiness is very similar to that "X-Files" ennui, and its gritty perspective of policework is very "Prime Suspect". The characters are all believable -- serious, professional, and very real. No ex-Playmates or pretty-boy faces, just compelling acting against some pretty grisly storylines.