Un amour qui tue

I was riveted to the television set for all 3 nights of the series.

Not only was Diana Rigg's performance a tour de force, but the script itself was a true psychological thriller, beautifully written - I could actually believe there is a mother somewhere who could be so unhinged yet appear so normal. I did wonder about the author's own mother.

The flashbacks to "Mother's" childhood provided an extra dimension without totally explaining her future behavior, which really worked for me - I find too much exposition can spoil the punchline.

During the final half hour, no phone calls were answered, no trips were made to the frig, no cats were let out, no dogs were let in...I think you get the picture.

as that of a woman, scorned. Diana Rigg is superb in the role of Helena Vesy, a woman with a mysterious and nefarious past, who becomes infuriated with her ex-husband (well portrayed by David McCallum,) and his new family, including a young new wife.

Some of the scenes are memorable, as when she is strolling in the park, debating her lot in life, and walks under the shade of a laburnum tree. Laburnum, such a lovely tree, she ponders, as her mind wanders to its poisonous qualities.

Another scene with the young children, and an arsenic laced gift of marzipan at Christmas time is also quite chilling.

Rigg looks wonderful and believable in this role, would be nice if she were able to do a sequel. Highly recommended, excellent suspense. 9/10.

use this link http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000MV8H3Y/102-4681375-7474562 or the link to the right of the name of this movie at the top of the page and ask to be alerted when the movie comes to DVD. According to the people at Amazon.com, these votes will alert the studio that people want this movie released to video. It may really help, because it is only recently that Amazon put up a page for this wonderful movie.

I won't bother to add more comments, because they all agree and they are all right--it's one of Ms. Rigg's finest, and overwhelmingly deserves a DVD release.

Diana Rigg, playing Helena, has the performance of her life here as the tightly wound mother of the title who gradually comes to the realization that her ex-husband, whom she despises, has been secretly seeing her son for years behind her back.

Through a series of flashbacks we see Helena, as a child, committing a horrendous crime when she perceives disloyalty from her best friend. Disloyalty to Helena is one of the worse things one can do.

When she accidentally discovers that her cousin George has been disloyal, she punishes him also so that he winds up in jail for a crime he did not commit.

To the world Helena is perfectly groomed and poised but underneath she is a seething mass of resentment, barely contained until one final incident sends her over the top into a raging frenzy - "I gave you life and I can take it away". Chilling.

Everything about this series is perfect, the rest of the cast (David McCallum,James Wilby, James Grout, Isla Blair) are superb also. Wonderful script. Not a false note. The tension just builds and builds until at the end you feel you have run a marathon.

10 out of 10.

Diana Rigg is outstanding as the deranged and possessive Helena Vesey in this marvellous BBC mini-series of 1989. It is a role that, I believe, won her a British Academy Award (BAFTA). It is hard to remember anyone who managed to be so funny, scary and mesmerising than Ms Rigg as this indelible protagonist, who brings the superb dialogue to life - "Laburnum! Such a pretty tree... and so many of them!"; "Treachery, disloyalty... are the most DREADFUL of crimes. And deserve the severest punishment!"; and "Ha ha ha! HERE's Mr Tiger!". This series is sometimes repeated on Sky's UK Gold channel - make sure you see it!