Eiskaltes Duell

Unfortunately the full, four-hour version of FRAMED is not available in the U.S. The two-hour DVD presentation (which aired in America on A&E) is at times difficult to follow due to the convoluted plot line, but is well worth seeing for the compelling performances by Timothy Dalton, David Morrissey and the rest of the cast in a psychological crime thriller where you are never quite sure how it will end up until almost the very last moment. Dalton plays a criminal playboy mastermind who is slippery beyond belief and gives a hard-hitting, edgy performance in a demanding role... possibly his best ever. (Let's just say this character makes James Bond look like Mr. Bean by comparison!) Morrissey is great as the eager young cop who falls under his influence. If you enjoyed movies like INSIDE MAN or SILENCE OF THE LAMBS you'll probably find this worth viewing.

Fortunately, most of Dalton's performance is preserved in the two-hour version, which nevertheless cuts out a lot of scenes involving David Morrisey's character and his wife, and Dalton's interactions with "his girls," as well as the vast majority of the series' first episode that takes place in Spain.

I note with interest that this was Americanised into a new TV version with Rob Lowe and Sam Neill, of all people, but I imagine it was a much watered down version of Lynda La Plante's original story.

In 1992, a version clocking in at over three hours came to British screens (and a limited video release thereafter). The story centres around a con in police protection and the relationship and hold he has over the constable on his case. Casting Timothy Dalton as the con, Eddie Myers, was a masterstroke. He's an unhinged, devious, predatory man with dubious sexual leanings. He plays the role wonderfully, giving the character that raw edge while also making him likeable. David Morrissey, in one of his early roles, plays Sgt. Larry Jackson, who can almost be described as 'the prey'. His nervous energy in dealing both with the intensity of close proximity to Myers and his crumbling marriage to Sue (Annabelle Apsion) is well-portrayed.

Penelope Cruz appeared too, as the mysterious Lola, while Timothy West (as the typical scruffy detective, Mac) and Trevor Cooper (as bumbling and impressionable DI Shrapnel) were memorable. The screenplay was based on a real character, albeit with significant artistic licence. It was clever, engrossing, and - for me - La Plante's best work for television.

It's a shame that A&E's pitifully-edited version of Framed is the only one most American audiences have seen; for it showcases one of Timothy Dalton's most striking performances. As Eddie Myers, Dalton is charming, frightening, slimy, and charismatic. Down to the last scene, you're never sure what he will do. Hopefully, the full PAL version translated to NTSC will eventually be available in the US. In the meantime, watch the A&E version (they replay it occasionally). It's better than nothing.

Made in 1992 when the 'Costa Del Crime' was a big news issue in the Uk, frequently featuring in British tabloids, this centers on a big time criminal, who is supposed to be dead, spotted by a young cop on a familiy holiday in Spain. He is quickly repatriated to the UK where he offers to tell all, but only to the young policeman who found him.

David Morrissey is subsequently put in a secret underground location to eat, sleep and live with Timothy Dalton to extract all the info about the crimes, criminals and whereabouts of all the ill gotten gains.

Timothy Dalton plays the manipulative, charismatic and sometimes creepy Eddie Myers brilliantly and the young, naive Morrissey is slowly drawn into Eddie's world of wealth, high living and young girls.

Also a shout out to Timothy West who plays the old fashioned gruff Chief Inspector in charge of the case, the like of which would never survive in todays 'enlightened' met.

This is another fine offering from the pen of Lynda La Plante and highly recommended.

By 1992 Timothy Dalton knew that his time as James Bond had passed. Eon were involved in litigation with MGM causing delays over the next Bond movie.

So he was still officially James Bond and Dalton took the opportunity to do lucrative television projects.

Framed was one of them, a four part television series. After the success of Prime Suspect. Anything from Lynda La Plante was all the rage.

Dalton plays charismatic bank robber Eddie Myers hiding out in the Costa del Crime. Young police officer Lawrence Jackson (David Morrissey) out on a family holiday in Spain spots Myers.

Eventually Myers is extradited back to Britain with Jackson assigned to guard him. The officer from the original investigation Jimmy McKinnes (Timothy West) wants Myers to give up the names of the other robbers.

While his former cohorts plan to silence Myers. Only Myers has a plan, he needs to Jackson's help. Some of the proceeds of the bank robbery in a safe deposit box.

The series is essentially the temptation of Jackson by the magnetic Myers to the dark side. Both play a cat and mouse game with each other as well as Jackson's bosses. Can both men really trust each other?

It also features an early role by Penelope Cruz. There is nothing here to show that one day she will be an Oscar winner.

A young David Morrissey and Dalton are outstanding. Elevating was is really a hackneyed story. Dalton very much displays the star power that glimmered when he stepped into the Bond role in the last minute.