Product Details

• Actors: John Simm, Ian McDiarmid, Geraldine James, Kate Ashfield
• Directors: Julian Jarrold
• Format: Import, PAL
• Region: Region 2 (Read more about DVD formats.)
• Number of discs: 2
• DVD Release Date: March 25, 2008
• Run Time: 180 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0014L2C9G
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #153,994 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

[NON-U.S. FORMAT (PAL) Region 2 U.K. Import - This will not play on U.S./Canada DVD players or those from most other countries outside of Europe. You would need a "multi-region" or "region-free" PAL compatible DVD player or computer.] SYNOPSIS: This acclaimed BBC adaptation of Crime and Punishment remains faithful to Fyodor Dostoevsky's classic novel. Set in St Petersburg in the second half of the 19th century, the psychological thriller tells of a desperate young murderer caught in a web of his own guilt. Rodya Raskolnikov is a poverty-stricken student living among the fetid alleyways and crumbling tenements of St Petersburg. Intense and highly intelligent, Raskolnikov believes he is among a class of men destined for greatness and as such is permitted to breach 'normal' moral values. He decides to test his courage and integrity by killing a pawnbroker, a mean old woman whom he is sure nobody will miss. The murder, however, only serves to draw Raskolnikov into a nightmare world in which he is dogged by guilt, paranoia and alienation. Faced with the wily investigator Porfiry, who sets up a complex series of traps, encounters and onversations, can Raskolnikov escape his own conscience or the seemingly inevitable punishment? EXTRAS: Audio commentary with John Simm, screenwriter Tony Marchant, director Julian Jarrold & producer David Snodin. (RTS awards 2002, winner: Best Production Design, Best Costume Design, Best Tape and Film Editing.)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best English language version to date of Crime and Punishment, October 16, 2009

By 

Edward Swanson - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Crime and Punishment (2002) [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.2 Import - United Kingdom ] (DVD)

This most recent BBC production of Crime and Punishment was shown on American television a few years ago, and I was blown away by how well the tension and psychological drama of the classic novel was captured on film. (Please note: I am discussing the 2002 BBC production and not the 1980 miniseries that starred John Hurt; that version, to me, was simply so so.) It is a shame that BBC has not yet released this 2002 production starring John Simm. I have read Crime and Punishment several times, and seen many different versions of it, but the 2002 version is by far my favorite. It was filmed in St. Petersburg, and manages to capture (no easy feat!) the psychological turmoil within Raskolnikov that forces him to first commit murder and ultimately to confess the murder. The major side plots are properly handled as well, resulting in a film that properly conveys the brilliance of the novel. Sadly, BBC has so far not released this amazing adaption in the U.S. BBC: please make this gem available to American viewers!!!!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Crime and Punishment, September 21, 2010

By 

Jack C Amos - See all my reviews

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This review is from: CRIME AND PUNISHMENT (2002) [NON-USA Format / Import / Region 2 / PAL] (DVD)

The movie was spectacular! As most BBC productions are. It arrived in excellent condition and much sooner than expected. The price was very fair, too.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Faithful to book, even though Raskolnikov character is short guy!, December 19, 2009

By 

Jeremy D Vosburgh (West Sand Lake, NY United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Crime & Punishment (Pal/Region 2) (DVD)

This was a wonderful production of Crime and Punishment. It is very faithful to the book. many scenes are as I saw them in my mind. Only a couple peeves. The main character was too short and a little too talkative (I imagined Rask to be much more sullen and less crotchety), and Porfiry, while exemplary in the role, is older than his description in the book. These are just aesthetics though. Wonderful, wonderful production for the short running time. Would like to see a longer version someday though.