Product Description

Ian McDiarmid, Iain Glen, Nigel Harman, Juliet Aubrey

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #14770 in DVD
• Brand: DVD Boxsets
• Released on: 2008-02-18
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Formats: PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 2
• Dimensions: .26 pounds
• Running time: 238 minutes

Synopsis
Drama looking at the formation of The Bow Street Runners--a precursor to the police force--in London to deal with rampant levels of crime and prostitution in 1793.

Customer Reviews

The steamy underbelly of 18th Century London
So far this Channel 4 drama has proved to be a fascinating insight into the professional life of Henry Fielding - the author of Tom Jones and creator of the Bow Street Runners- an early version of the police force. According to Channel 4's site, for once this is not a dramatisation of a particular book, but a drama created from the contemporary records. Drawing on information such as Harris' Lists- a guidebook to the whores of London.

Ian McDiarmid displays his usual consummate acting (well from someone who ranges from the evil emperor in Star Wars to the butler in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels- what would you expect?) Iain Glen ably supports as his blind brother John. What is so fascinating is how totally out of their depth they are when faced with murderers and scary Irish gang leaders. I really like the touch of using a 3D map of the contemporary city to set the changes of scene in context. Worthy historical drama.

I loved this series
The best historical TV series for years !
Ian and Iain are marvellous as the Fieldings.
I hope there's another series soon.
So glad it's available on DVD

London at its best and worst
This is a superb series. No praise can be too high for the combination of outstanding acting and fascinating plot lines. The descriptions and acoount of the 'molly houses' of London and gay weddings is historically absolutely accurate.Nigel Harman shows just how good an actor he is playing the submissive 'Miss Kitty'. Also, harris and his list, again, beyond reproach in historical accuracy. No only a pioneering history drama, as far from twee Jane Austen adaptations as you can get, but a real insight into the horrors of Old London.