Framed

Following his all too brief reign as Bond, Timothy Dalton is here utterly compelling throughout as the charismatic, beguiling, sociopath Eddie Myers, a big-time criminal presumed dead, but discovered hiding in plain site near a British tourist haven in Spain. Back in England he agrees to become a 'supergrass' and the keen young detective who first spotted him is surprisingly appointed to the vital role of working closely with him, extracting his extensive knowledge of the underworld.

Likely to have been suggested by the previous year's hugely influential SILENCE OF THE LAMBS, this is developed in a somewhat predictable fashion. Attempts to portray the police at work as realistically as possible, with lots of use of the hand-held camera, do little to tone-down the improbabilities in the plotting, which leaves several loose ends. Timothy West's fast-talking, beer-swilling, DCI and the police banter, particularly regarding Myers' health food obsession, provide some fun, but there's too much soap opera. Altogether, not in the same league as excellent La Plante series' PRIME SUSPECT and WIDOWS, but certainly a must for fans of its star.

I've only seen this in the 'edited' DVD form. If this is indeed cut to bits like I've read, the original must have been fantastic. I thought that the performances of David Morrissey and Timothy Dalton were riveting.

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.

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.

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.