Prime Suspect 3

Absolutely loved the first 'Prime Suspect' series. It was to me some of the best television to grace my television set. 'Prime Suspect II' was every bit as good, the two are about equal in terms of quality, for the same reasons as before.

'Prime Suspect III' was watched with high expectations when seeing all the 'Prime Suspect' series over-time since reviewing the first series last year. Those expectations were not just met but also surpassed. It has all the things that made the previous two 'Prime Suspect' series so great, and stands out even more because of the characterisation which was even richer and because of the story and its heavier themes than before.

It is stylishly and cleverly filmed, with slick editing and atmospheric lighting, and there is a consistently wonderful atmosphere throughout. It is a dark and gritty atmosphere, 'Prime Suspect' in general is both those things story-wise and visually but 'Prime Suspect III' is one of the stronger examples, while also being effectively claustrophobic. It is very hard to forget the music score too. The scripting, like its predecessor, is some of the best there is of any mystery/detective drama, being superbly constructed and intelligent.

The story is 'Prime Suspect' at its darkest, most hard-hitting and grittiest for the intense subject matter alone, but in some ways also at its most honest, intricate and emotional. It is a complex story that keeps one guessing right up to the end while also being easy to follow. The interrogation scenes are some of the most harrowing of the whole 'Prime Suspect' franchise, both intensely shocking and even brings tears to the eyes.

Jane Tennison continues to be an interesting character, the character and the depiction of the police force was very ahead of the time back in the 90s and holds much fascination now even if not so novel.

Helen Mirren gives a typically magnificent performance in the lead, and she has one of her best supporting casts of all the 'Prime Suspect' series that include Peter Capaldi and Mark Strong in early roles and a standout turn from Tom Bell as oily Sergeant Otley. Excelling also are David Thewlis, who has never been more thuggish, and Ciaran Hinds at his most mysterious.

In conclusion, along with the previous two 'Prime Suspect' series, 'Prime Suspect III' is the franchise at its best. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Everything everyone is saying about this one is true. One thing to add: it's a lot for a single sitting. It runs almost four hours. People couldn't have had an option when it was transmitted on telly - they had to wait for the subsequent episodes - but when you rent or purchase it now you can't be forced into that option - and you'll find it nigh on impossible to break things off at the hour or two hour mark - it's just too good as everyone says.

Perhaps the best news is that Lynda La Plante is back. Episode two wasn't bad - but it wasn't La Plante's writing and it didn't have her magical hand on it. This one does. It's as if she took all the stuff she found out worked in the first episode, concentrated it, and flung it back. Everything is deeper, grittier, gorier.

There are seven huge episodes in this opus, all told twenty two hours of viewing. So to single out any one episode and say it's 'best' is going to be difficult, but taking only the first three it's not hard to see which excel more than others, and this one has to rank right at the very top.

As good as crime fiction on film gets, whether theatrical or made-for-television. Lynda La Plante's writing is at a peak here, with sharp dialog, vividly drawn characters and narrative that captures and won't let go until the end. It's grim, seedy, violent and sad---a real slice of vice unit life and of those they interrogate or pursue. Helen Mirren, as Jane Tennison, has rightly received top honors for her work in the Prime Suspect series, but here she excels even herself. An incredibly detailed characterization you won't forget. But she's not alone when it comes to accolades. Every supporting member is terrific, and there are some future stars to see: Jonny Lee Miller, Peter Capaldi, Mark Strong, Ciarán Hinds, Danny Dyer, James Frain, the incredible David Thewlis! And let's not forget the great Tom Bell, as Tennison's nemesis Bill Otley. All of it brilliantly directed by David Drury. Absolutely essential viewing crime procedure aficionados and anyone else.

At first, we had a hard time understanding the accents, but by the second episode we caught up and enjoyed it a great deal. Then again, we were watching a home-taped VHS copy, so the sound was a little muted.

The acting and the writing were excellent.

DCI Jane Tennison (Helen Mirren) breaks up with her boyfriend Jake Hunter. He's married and an author of a serial killer book. She's starting a new job and finds old nemesis Sgt. Bill Otley (Tom Bell). They investigate an arson-murder involving underage rent-boys and a cross-dressing cabaret. Thuggish James Jackson (David Thewlis) is the prime suspect. Edward Parker-Jones (Ciarán Hinds) is the club owner. The clientele and police involvement threaten to be a scandal.

Helen Mirren is the lead. This show can never be bad with her driving the boat. This time Otley is back but he's somewhat domesticated. The vicious sexism is no longer there. The case is lascivious and dirty. This is solid TV police drama but nothing compared to series 1 part 1.