Customer Reviews

Crime & Punishment (Pal/Region 2)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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!!!!

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.

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.