DI Chandler is the golden boy – he’s on a fast track to the top job, but he’s go to cut his teeth first and get a murder investigation under his belt – then it’s onto the cushy life for him. Easy street will have to wait however as DI Chandler is placed in command of a team of cynical veterans at Whitechapel just in time for the first of a series of grizzly murders – each based on those committed by Jack the Ripper over 100 years ago.
As Chandler find himself drawn into the mystery of a copy cat serial killer who aims to do as his mentor did – that is get away with the perfect crime and never be caught – Chandler finds his career veering out of control.
Not yet having the respect of the local boys and finding his fiends in the high echelon putting a fair bit of space between him and them, Chandler has no choice but to embrace the help of renowned `Ripperologist’ Edward Buchan. Of course this does him no favours with the local cops or his fast disappearing friends.
British dramas of late have been a little lacklustre, but Whitechapel starts of in high gear and keeps up a blistering pace through its entire runtime. I initially sat down to watch only one part of this three part series, but ending up consumed by the storyline that I watched the entire DVD in one sitting.
It has a similar feel to Life On Mars, without all the time travel mumbo-jumbo, with Chandler being the new kid who comes in with brand new ideas that rub the established boys the wrong way – it even has just the right mix of humour and action. But it’s the gory murders and twisting plot – full of red herrings – that keeps you hooked.
Visually it’s a real feast, and the use of tilt-shift style film on the scene transitions makes those random city shots look like models, re-enforcing the serial killers perception that it’s all a game to be won or lost by the person with the most wits.
If you’re a fan of good British drama, or love a gruesome murder mystery with a contemporary twist, then Whitechapel is for you. Reviewed by: Jonathan Read Rating: [R16] Violence and content that may disturb. Released on: July 7th, 2009 Stars: Rupert Penry-Jones, Philip Davis, Alex Jennings, Johnny Harris, Steve Pemberton Length (Minutes): 136 Media Format: DVD Languages: English Supported Audio: Dolby Digital Stereo Director: Clarkson, S.J. Studio: BBC [ad#filmguide-1]
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