Self-important, over-dramatic, uninspired.

Good concept, poorly executed.

One of those movie experiences that is so good it makes you realize you've been grading everything else on a curve.

Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

The last time I was really captivated, I was reading The "Red Riding Trilogy" and then I watched the movies and I longed again for something that could satisfy my hunger for a good story,fortunately Mel Gibson's "Edge of Darkness" (2010),that took me almost three years to finally watch, drove me to move as fast as I could and got me a copy of the original BBC miniseries, with six episodes, and excellent acting. Bob Peck (Unfortunately killed by a velociraptor in Jurassic Park), and more unfortunately dead by cancer in 1999, plays the police inspector grieving for the senseless murder of his daughter, but contrary to what you or I, or Mel Gibson would do,he represses more of the time his sad feelings. Ronald Craven (Peck) goes into the investigation of the reasons and guilty parties, let's say with a cool level head, and some help among others from Darius Jedburgh (Joe Don Baker) and the "ghost" of Emma,his daughter. Not much for me to add that other reviewers haven't said already, just my recommendation watch the miniseries, and watch the Mel Gibson movie.Both of them are worth of your time,personally I am looking forward for the holidays when my daughter comes from college and we can watch it together!

A true classic of British television drama. I remember this from its original airing in the UK and the release of the remake prompted me to buy the DVD version of the original series to see if it still has the means to captivate.It does.I say you you watch this series first and yes it may seem a stretch at around 5 hours but this sets the bar that the newer production has to hit. I very much doubt however that it will as Hollywood can rarely ratchet up the tension in the way the 1985 version does without resorting to pyrotechnics and burning rubber. Mind you with the original Director at the helm, who knows what can happen.

One of the central political points of the story is that policies come and go, but people stay. When one policy is set in motion, it rolls on, even if back at headquarters the policy has changed. Darius Jedburgh explains the changes of policies in Washington to Ron Craven, with a shrug. The policy changed but the people who worked for the previous policy went on. Policies can be turned on and off, in this case, by executive orders, but people cannot. When Jedburgh set up GAIA he recruited believers who would do some serious work, and when Washington policy changed, they just kept going as best they could. There is an important message here that few people in the policy business never get. Once something is started, it may take on a life of it own. The lesson to draw then is to be careful about what is started, a lesson few learn.

I can only sum up Edge of Darkness with the following statement. Quite simply it is the best thing that the BBC ever made.Bob Peck is magnificent as Craven. The ways in which he conveys the character's grief and slow descent into insanity while slipping in some dark humour meant that he fully deserved the BAFTA award he won. Also magnificent is Joe Don Baker as the hugely entertaining and eccentric Jedburgh. Episode 5 "Northmoor" which focuses on these two characters has to be seen to be believed.Both main characters are ably supported by a range of established British actors with union leader Godbolt, Craven's superior Ross and of course the Civil Servant double-act of Pendleton and Harcourt all very intriguing with each adding their part to the mystery.The use of film, Martin Campbell's direction, the opening sequences of each episode, Mat Irvine's visual effects, Eric Clapton's terrific score and most importantly Troy Kennedy Martin's fantastic script create a tense atmosphere and all combine to ensure that Edge of Darkness was and is one of the classiest and best thrillers ever produced. The plot twists and turns constantly but stay with it until the end. If you watch Episode 1 on the DVD you will be compelled to stick with it for a highly worthwhile 5 hours and at the end you might just wonder why the BBC have never put the licence fee to such good use since.