Search - Edge of Darkness: The Complete BBC Series on DVD

Samuel K. (Solvanda)
Reviewed on 7/7/2018...

What you're going to witness here has been touted as possibly the finest BBC drama ever made. This all starts as Policeman Ronald Craven (played by the late Bob Peck) watches his daughter get blown away in front of him, on the front porch. From this point on, Craven investigates, reverse engineers her pathway, and in due course uncovers mass corruption of Big Business. Incredibly serious violations, which hold the safety of the public in callous disregard.

Craven is terminally dosed from this experience; and from this point on has absolutely nothing to lose. There's a majorly whacked out scene, where Craven takes 2 chunks of plutonium out of a suitcase and slams them together in front of a theatre hall of big wigs, making them eat the vile fruitage of their exploits. Beautiful. Craven's subconscious creates an almost ghost like version of his daughter which accompanies him along the way in this journey, as a means of coping. In fact, this will long end up sticking in your head because of the way it portrays human grief.

Bob Peck inhabits his role in a manner I've seen few actors accomplish. He was a relative unknown at this point, as he'd mostly done stage work. The original script had him turning into a tree at the end. Eric Clapton and Michael Kamen supply a fitting soundtrack, which the Australian Broadcasting Company subsequently used to illustrate stories on the Chernobyl disaster the following year.

2 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.

Masterpiece........

A. J. Palmer | London | 06/26/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Firstly let me point out that there is a DVD version of EOD, several actually. The best version is the latest released this year which is a wonderful transfer and includes a documentary on the film, Magnox and has clips of interviews and award ceremonies and discussions on the series. It is on region 2 DVD and is available from amazon uk. I too remember watching this masterpiece unfold when it was originally screened here in the uk. I was only 14 at the time and British television was still producing some wonderful stuff. Even so I knew this was something extra special. It must have planted a seed in my subconscious. Incredibly in 2003 it has lost none of its power and seems just as prescient now as ever. The callous disregard for the individual by corporations, the 'great game' played out between competing security agencies, the conspiracy of silence in the media. The ecology movement. The collusion of government with the malign constituents in our society. Ostensibly though this is still the 'little man's story' and what a central performance from the late great Bob Peck. His personal disintegration is harrowing to behold as he tries to unravel the mystery. Joe don Baker, what can you say about his performance. He is utterly compelling as the old school agency man fighting to keep his head above water. His verbal sparing matches with 'arts council' funded MI5's Ian McNeice and Charles Kay (also superb) are very very funny. Oh the script, what a script. Troy Kennedy Martin the writer provided the most consistently brilliant screenplay for television ever written. Martin Campbell the director sculpts it all into an entity that supplants the TV media. The DVD I saw previously to EOD was Leone's masterwork Once upon a time in America and I can honestly say EOD which bares many similarities is right up there alongside it. I don't think I could give this production a better accolade."

Time of the preacher.

Mr. A. Pomeroy | Wiltshire, England | 11/23/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Probably the finest television drama series ever, 'Edge of Darkness' was 1985 made flesh - nuclear paranoia in a world gone mad. Apart from the faces, not much has dated, and even if the threat of nuclear annihilation seems less newsworthy, it's still an excellent, taut thriller. Bleak and brilliant, it starts with a seemingly random murder, and ends with the world on the brink of apocalpyse.Everything works, and works well - the clever, non-linear direction is never annoying, the writing is intelligent, everything progresses with brutal, cold logic, and it all seems so much more serious, more 'real' than other television dramas of the time (with the possible exception of the early 'Taggart'). The acting is superb - Joe Don Baker's character may be a stereotype, but he makes it work, and the late Bob Peck is almost disturbingly intense. It's a shame that, for most people, he will be remembered as the unfortunate trapper from 'Jurassic Park' (or the narrator of countless nature documentaries).It remains with you when its over, the music is excellent, and key images (nuclear trains at the dead of night, driving rain on the motorway, a room full of telephones, a field of umbrellas, and little black flowers) haunt you forever."

Testamony of Bob Peck

Mr. A. Pomeroy | 04/10/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If anybody is looking for an obituary of Bob Peck then this film surely sums up this man. With Joe Don Baker, Joanne Whalley and other distinguished actors, Peck doesn't just act, he gives this film a rare dimension, he puts his body and soul into it as if the plot was actually happening in his own personal life. Here's an actor at the top of his profession giving a vituoso performance. The characters in the film link superbly to him and where necessary he supports brilliantly. This film isn't solely about Bob Peck, it's about what can happen when plutonium gets into the wrong hands. It's about an organization showing that the laxity of security procedures can lead to fatal consequences. It's about a father investigating his daughter's death caused by the effects of nuclear radiation. I wouldn't say that this was one of the best films that I've seen. This IS the best film I have seen. Thanks Bob for the pleasure you brought to us all. Rest in peace Bob."