Blue Murder

Members of the New South Wales Police Force, now called the Police Service, are the spiritual descendants of that raffish group of officers and men called 'The Rum Corps' who once took over the fledgling colony of New South Wales and expelled the Governor, the unhappy William Bligh. They were not called to account for that action and have been getting away with it ever since, even on occasion with murder. This 3 hour film traces the rise and decline of two policeman, one honest and the other a fine inheritor of the old traditions, and the careers of some of the criminals they were supposed to be catching. Made 5 years ago, its showing in NSW was held up until July 2001 because of outstanding charges against some of the principals, even though all the events depicted took place at least 10 years before the film was made.

It is an exciting story and I found it enthralling, despite knowing its broad outline. The core of it is the evolving relationship between gung-ho armed hold-up squad detective, Roger Rogerson, and the criminal he 'manages,' Arthur 'Neddy' Smith. Early on, Rogerson makes it clear that he is in charge and Neddy will do what he is told. As the story progresses, and Rogerson sinks deeper into the mire, Neddy becomes a partner, until the end they are co-conspirators in a number of evil deeds. Inevitably the 'management' of crime becomes criminal activity itself, and the bent copper turns out to be just as bad as the criminals he exploits.

Rogerson and the rest of the 'barbecue set' (his police cronies) were a bit unlucky that in the early 80s the NSW government by some oversight managed to appoint an honest police commissioner, John Avery, who, despite being a bit of a boy scout, made some inroads into entrenched corruption in the Force. Rogerson was also unlucky that the federal crime authorities, eager to prove their worth, spotted him as a target. Yet, despite being shown in the film as responsible for several killings, Rogerson's only convictions are for operating a bank account under a false name (which contained the proceeds of a Bentley he had sold) and then lying about it on oath.

This is a particularly well-made film, with a grainy realism appropriate to the subject matter, good locations (the real places, mostly) and good lighting, cinematography and editing. Some of the acting is also first-rate. Richard Roxburgh is quite uncanny - he IS Roger Rogerson, and Tony Martin gives us an interesting well-rounded Neddy, a character it would be easy to portray as a monster. Bill Hunter as always steals his few scenes as Black Angus McDonald, the (now dead) corrupt senior policeman who protects Rogerson, and Steve Bastoni is quietly effective as the hesitant but honest and rather brave policeman Michael Drury.

I also enjoyed John Hargreaves, all good-humoured guile, as barrister Chester 'Funnel-Web' Porter. Chester, a legend of the Sydney Bar, represented Rogerson on a criminal charge – trying to bribe Drury into giving false evidence. After getting a celebrity acquitted in difficult circumstances previously, Chester had been presented by some of his fellow barristers with a T-shirt bearing the legend 'Chester Porter walks on water'. In the end, however, even Chester cannot save Rogerson, the most highly decorated policeman in the state, from public disgrace.

Roger the Dodger is still around, in fact he was reported recently as admiring Richard Roxburgh's performance (as well he might). As for the rest though, 'it's all bullshit mate.'

Postscript 2006: "The Dodger" by former policeman Duncan Macnab chronicles Roger's rise and fall.

I¡¦m quite surprised to find out that I seem to be the only non-Australian user who ever commented on this incredibly good TV movie. I clicked the hyperlinks around and found the leading actor Richard Roxburgh is the Duke in Moulin Rouge. I ran across this TV movie several years ago when I was just looking for some interesting show, and there it was. I never had a chance to see the complete show, and our local channel split it into two parts. I was quite shocked by the authentic but acerbic delineation of the police as well as some extremely violent shots that would be refused by American TV producers. Actually I could believe that it actually happened in the 80¡¦s in Australia, which is supposed to be a highly democratic and peaceful in every way. The incredulous scenes of the police looting civilians and murder, and the most ironic medal awarded to our hero.

Of course all these elements do not constitute this film as a masterpiece; what make this flick worth recommendations are the actors¡¦ impeccable performance and the director¡¦s ability to withhold too much personal comment that would ruin the cold style throughout the film. The police gangs¡¦ drinking binge and their obsession with interests and power appall the audience, and their ambivalent sentiments toward each other bewilder me. Their many-faceted acts make them more solid and close to real persons, and we all have a better understanding of the time and that part of Australia. This is definitely the best TV movie of the genre, and I feel really lucky to have seen this film.

What a pity that we in NSW and the ACT couldn't see this for five years. But then you can see just why. How good is Tony Martin as Neddy Smith? How graphic was the scene when Lanfranchi got blown away? How come Rogerson isn't in jail right now?

Blue Murder is nothing short of a masterpiece. It delves into the world of police corruption and criminal activity and leaves nothing to the imagination. Everything about it is made all the more incredible due to the fact it's all true.

The casting is nothing short of genius. Richard Roxburgh as the infamous detective/criminal/murderer Roger "the Dodger" Rogerson is so utterly convincing and accurate you'd swear it was the man Roger himself. Tony Martin is equally brilliant as the notorious Neddy Smith, the charming, brutal and cunning criminal mastermind. All of the supporting cast do equal justice to the show, in particular Peter Phelps as 'Abo' Henry.

Blue Murder will have you utterly engrossed for all of its 4 hour running time, and leave you amazed and shaking your head in disbelief at the end. This is the real stuff, as it happened, as remarkable, and unthinkable as it is to comprehend. Go out of your way to see this one.

It says a lot about the accuracy of information in this series that it was not shown on TV in New South Wales (the Australian state where the action takes place) during the trials and inquiries (including a Royal Commission into corruption in the NSW police force) involving the main 'characters'. The story is just astounding.... hard to believe these were the daily activities of the NSW police. Excellent acting throughout, including that of Alex Dimitriades, which convinced me that he is not just the pretty boy of 'Heartbreak High'. It really was compulsive viewing for me when it was first screened.