The Guilty

Two actors who have become well known in the US (at least by watchers of British TV on PBS stations) are Michael Kitchen in Foyle's War and Caroline Catz in Doc Martin. Impressed by both, I looked to see what other movies each had made and discovered both were in this film, "The Guilty" a 201 minute mini-series shown on British TV almost 20 years ago--which has only recently been released on DVD. Kitchen was well established in Britain by 1992 (the date of the film) but, except for a small role as a receptionist in a single episode of a long running sitcom, it was Catz's first film-she was 22 years old.The movie is simply terrific-gripping until the very end and though there are some spoilers in reviews and commentary on Amazon.com, very suspensful throughout. I can't remember when my wife and I were last so engrossed in a movie and I am amazed that it hasn't been a smash hit--it surpasses anything Alfred Hitchcock has filmed. (It did get some awards in Britain when it was shown there on TV back in 1992.) The acting throughout is excellent. Kitchen has the same mannerisms and low key acting that make him such a compelling Foyle-though of course he is playing a role which is almost the polar opposite in terms of character. Catz is equally accomplished, and one has a foretaste of her excellent acting as Louisa Glasson in Doc Martin. Her career after this movie and until Doc Martin consisted mainly of being a police officer in a series of detective serials, a few episodes of "The Bill" and "The Vice" and being the co-star police detective in a three season program "Murder in Suburbia" all well known in Britain but not familiar to most American audiences. I'm surprised that her performance in "The Guilty" didn't turn her into an international star overnight.One reviewer disliked it because Michael Kitchen's moral character was so different than in Foyle's War. Yes, it is, but to me it only shows what a versatile actor he is. I don't think that should be held against the movie. A couple of others have commented on the unusual number of coincidences necessary to drive the plot forward. I agree, and more than once I muttered that only if one of the characters had spoken up about what they knew, the situation might have turned out for the better. But, I don't think of this as a defect-it simply allowed the complexity of thoughts and motives of the leading characters to be fully developed.I'd give "The Guilty" twenty stars if possible. It is a superb film.

The following may, for some, contain spoilers.The main reason, in my view, for watching this British mini-series is the performance of the reliably-excellent Michael Kitchen, here playing against type as Steven Vey, a successful barrister and a man as arrogant as he is amoral. Though married, Vey has eyes for a young secretary in his office. She is sufficiently flattered by his flirting that the two end up one evening after work at her apartment. Sensing that she has allowed things to go too far, she tries to end their evening together, but Vey is not about to be rebuffed, and he proceeds to force himself on the young woman. Not long after this incident, Vey receives a coveted appointment to the bench. The young woman, wanting some sense of justice but believing that she would have little chance of getting it in court, contacts Vey with an offer: if he resigns his judgeship, she will remain quiet about what he did to her; if he does not, she will go public.The stage is set for a promising drama, which makes what follows all the more disappointing. First, the story shifts from London to Birmingham and to a young petty thief, Eddy Doyle. Doyle learns from his mother that the man he thought was his father is actually his adoptive father, that his biological father is a man by the name of... Steven Vey! Learning this, Doyle is off to London to try to locate Vey. In what follows, the story goes off the rails, at least it did for me, because of the coincidences the writers invoke to intersect the paths of Doyle and Vey and of Doyle and the young lady who was Vey's victim. If you are tolerant of these preposterous twists, then you will probably be as impressed with this mini-series as others here are. The performance of Michael Kitchen makes this worth watching but not, in my opinion, worth owning.

I'm a huge fan of Michael Kitchen (Foyle's War) and Caroline Catz (Doc Martin). I was so looking forward to seeing these two act together in a well written, engaging movie. Unfortunately this isn't it. Writing is below par. Sometimes slow moving isn't a bad thing, but it was here. I could describe the plot to give my viewpoint more credibility, but it's just not worth it. Feeling very disappointed.Being too much a fan, I let my curiosity get the better of me. But really now I wish I'd just let it go and spent the money on something worthwhile, (like a season of Foyle's War). Just saying. :-(**Gave 3 stars (instead of 2) only because of Michael Kitchen and Caroline Catz.**

This movie is a little-known treat. Michael Kitchen has to be one of the greatest unheralded actors of our time. This is a suspenseful little yarn about the well-intended mistakes we make during desperate times, and how they come back to haunt us, with interest!Kitchen has the complexity to share the thoughts and discarded possibilities flashing across his face as he maneuvers to set things right. You will care deeply about the characters, be fully engaged, and forget to take a deep breath. Surprisingly you will feel satisfied with the ending as well. If you enjoy suspense, complexity, mystery and brushes of fate, you'll enjoy this delicious treat.Gillian Holloway author of:  The Complete Dream Book, 2nd edition: Discover What Your Dreams Reveal about You and Your Life

I thought this story could have been condensed BUT i do not mind Michael Kitchen is one of my favourite actors.Well i will not give the plot away get it have a look.This probably happens more than we know BUT women should be careful is they ask a Man up for a Coffee.No means no but actions can be confusing.

Finally the original was available - it is hard to come by and I have tried for more than a year. It is still a good story, even if the end is ambiguous. Lee Ross has a strong charisma in a supporting role, and Andrew Tiernan is also convincing.

Taught, well constructed, provoked some thinking. Good pace. Michael Kitchen's portrayalengendered some real negative feelings and a pervasive odor of evil.

Complex, clever and superbly done! Loved it. As the story unfolded, I never saw the conclusion coming! Love British entertainment for this very reason!

I enjoyed this story. The ending was a surprise and there are several twists and turns you don't anticipate. However, the connection between Stephen Vey and young Eddy Doyle as well as Nikki is a bit of a reach but it is just a story. The acting is very good. I think Michael Kitchen is a great actor and he plays a bit of a villain very well. My biggest complaint was that th DVD I purchased was not wide screen and I think this series must be quite old as the quality of the picture wasn't that good, nor was the sound. It could have been just a bad set of disks and perhaps I should have returned them but it was too much trouble to do that. I don't think I will watch them again as once you know what happens I think the second time would be a let down. I recommend this but make sure you get widescreen and if you get bad quality viewing, return them.