Manhunt Online

Manhunt is a dramatisation of the hunt for the real-life murder of Amelie de la Grange on London's Twickenham Green in 2004. If I didn't know that the events which took place in Manhunt were real history, I'd still have been impressed by the production. We've all seen a load of police procedurals before, but I've never seen one that felt so true before, probably because the drama is derived from the memoirs of the detective who led the investigation. The process, then, is surely as close to what really happened, the behaviour of officers and the unfolding of the investigation as true as possible. The cast did an excellent job of portraying people who felt real, the dialogue didn't come across as being overly affected or dramatised. Yet it gripped me throughout. Martin Clunes, in particular, shone as the down-to-earth, no-nonsense DCI Colin Sutton; a million miles away from his very well known Doc Martin persona. I hope the same level of dramatic tension and immersion in the story is maintained through the other episodes, but hats off to the production team for the first installment in any case.

A tense and convincing three part dramatisation of the events leading up to the arrest of serial killer Levi Bellfield in 2004. Bellfield, a hulking, aggressive, mood-swinging brute of a guy with a fetish for young girls and a hatred of blondes was eventually caught after his savage murder of a young French girl Amélie De La Grange who had only been in the U.K. for a couple of months, although he'd killed twice before, almost killed another and otherwise had a history of violence. The first major homicide case of a newly appointed DSI Colin Sutton, on whose new book the programmes are based, his old-school, meticulous approach to the evidence seemed to upset his results-driven boss and one or two young Turks in his own team but eventually paid dividends in a life-means-life conviction for the monster murderer.

The series has been justifiably commended for its non-sensationalist approach to its subject matter so that none of the killings are re-enacted, the Bellfield character gets no chance to defend or justify his actions and while there are one or two eureka moments and other tense dramatic situations like when the team await the CPS go-ahead to arrest him and then when they finally raid Bellfield's house, these are played out in a low-key, unspectacular way as befits the seriousness of the subject matter.

I guess we'll never know the dramatic licence taken with the events, such as who's real and did that actually happen but this is usually the case with sensitive true-life situations and it looked to me as if sufficient respect was paid to the parties most affected by Bellfield's actions. In particular we see this with the sympathetic treatment of Amelie's grieving parents especially when they are given the heartbreaking news that better policing after Bellfield's previous attacks might have prevented their daughter's murder.

My main criticism of the series was the usual one I find in these TV dramas, the playing up of the lead detective's family life. I could care less that he wasn't getting on with his profiler wife, missed a family wedding trip to Spain with her or that he forgot his daughter's birthday. It was very obvious without these domestic dramas to see that Colin Sutton was a driven policeman, consumed by the case.

I don't think I've seen Martin Clunes in anything since "Men Behaving Badly" even as I'm aware that he appears to be being set up as the new David Jason as he goes into his older age. He was solid in the lead part however and had good support from the rest of the cast, some of them recognisable from other TV dramas of the recent past.

This was an important story, soberly told as it should have been and a good example of how to portray tough subject matter such as this.

This three part dramatisation focuses on recent tragedies, notably the killing of Amelie de la Grange back in 2004. It feels at times like a documentary, as it focuses more so on the telling of the story, the procedures, obstacles and facts of the case, never at any point does it deliver any moments of drama, nor offer up any sensationalism of the crimes. Personally I think it could have been delivered over two episodes, the second part is very padded out, and lacks any true impact. Saying that it's a sensitive telling of a harrowing case. Martin Clunes is fantastic as the unshakeable Colin Sutton, it's good that Sutton had involvement in the telling of the story.

I am so glad that people can make a TV show like this in a way that makes you feel like you've been informed as opposed to cheaply shocked.

Well made drama. 8/10

STAR RATING: ***** Saturday Night **** Friday Night *** Friday Morning ** Sunday Night * Monday Morning

In 2004, the body of a young woman found on Twickenham Common in London was the catalyst for a major, nationwide investigation to find her killer. This true life dramatization depicts the inquiry, led by DCI Colin Sutton (Martin Clunes), who is assigned as the Chief Investigating Officer on what will prove to be the case of his career. His relentless, thorough determination to track down the killer causes him to link the case to two other unsolved murders, which bear striking similarities.

Early into the new year, and we've certainly been treated to a barrage of interesting, original productions on the terrestrial TV channels, including this ITV drama, about the hunt for serial killer Levi Bellfield. Although not produced with any direct consultation with the victim's families, it appears to play out with a convincing degree of accuracy, and sensitivity for the feelings of those affected. It also captures the obligatory 'mood' of the serial killer drama perfectly, creating a bleak, drained backdrop for the events to convey themselves in.

Although he may feel typecast by some in comedies like Doc Martin and Men Behaving Badly, Clunes is perfectly capable of handling more serious, dramatic roles, of which this is ample proof. One of those actors who's always had to prove himself, here he carries the lead role with a fine amount of charisma and depth, as a man whose devotion to his work and achieving a result even comes at the expense of his home life, causing his marriage and relationship with his daughter to suffer, and even pulling out of a family holiday to Italy to be at a family wedding in order to chase up a new lead. It's a telling revelation of the sacrifices some must make to punish the guilty and keep us safe.

Overall, an absorbing and gripping dramatization of the crimes of one of the more recent serial killers, which respectfully never forgets the true to life nature of its subject matter and end up trivialising the crimes in any way. ****

I know there will be dramatic licence, but this is one of the true to life investigation dramas I think I have seen. A lot of police dramas are farcical, and although there are some procedural inaccuracies in this, Clunes is spot on as an SIO. The members of the team are just as real. Fantastic. Just a shame youngsters died at the hands of such an evil man.

Just binge-watched this 3-parter, and found it fantastic entertainment. Yes, it's a docu-drama, and not all scenes, dialogue, etc., took place, albeit key elements are based on fact. So, don't get hung up on the casting of Martin Clunes as the lead detective, or who your preferred alternative is. The script was tight and engaging, and the plot built progressively to raise the tension. Some powerful hair-raising moments in each episode. The whole cast did their jobs superbly and it set a high standard in storytelling, about what was a series of complex police investigations. I am confident it will be competing strongly in the hunt for awards in due course. Make sure you watch it, and enjoy.

Grt first ep way better than lot and martins great as well as co stars but it's sad even more that it's based on true story and I'm sad to say I knew nothing about it. And I think I should have. As we all need too

They say a story is good if it keeps rolling around in your head when your not watching it. This retelling of a true crime was a gripping and authentic production that had me thinking for days afterward. I very much appreciated the no nonsense, factual production. No sexy actors in ridiculous outfits, no superfluous car chases or violence on screen. It accurately showed what police work is - the methodical tracking down of evidence until the parts become a whole. It's professional team work, with all the frustration that entails, and it can mean bucking the system. I recall this investigation was one of the first that relied almost entirely on CCTV. Hollywood could take a few lessons from this series. BBC could as well. Except that BBB does formulaic better than Hollywood. At least on BBC there's a chance the actors will look and dress like normal people. I admit I am a Martin Clunes fan - going back to his pre Doc Martin days.

Anyhow, I felt so sorry for the random victims of the very violent offender and their grief stricken families. But I also felt sorry for the killer's wife and children - who were trapped in a relationship with him, and will forever have their lives haunted by his crimes.

I thought was very good, I hope there will be another season.

This is just a quick review, or more apt a few quick comments, because others will provide plenty of story info. I gave a rating of 9 because I've watched many detective shows (along with others) and I sometimes use the fast forward on time wasting scenes. I never touched the fast forward on Manhunt. I was totally immersed and never lost interest in this gripping story. Seeing Martin Clunes in a very non Doc Martin part was most illuminating. Any actor who can nail performances from basically both ends of the spectrum, is a very good actor. So hats off to Mr. Clunes and well done, which also shines a light of appreciation on the dedication of real life DCI Colin Sutton. In addition to the starring parts I also like to look for supporting players who stick in the mind so tip of the hat to Katie Lyons, Stephen Wight and what a scary villain played by Celyn Jones (probably a teddy bear in real life). All in all a very well done muder movie, but alas, too bad it happened in real life.

Martin Clunes performance was convincing although outside of his more recently usual genre. I believed his portrayal & I have increased respect for his acting talent since viewing this story.

The story itself I found interesting, especially since it reflects true events and, because of that aspect, I felt free to expect & tolerate a bit more of the day-to-day grind which happens behind a working police force. It kept my attention and I viewed all three episodes within the span of 24 hours.

It introduced an aspect of police work which I had not previously considered, that being the stressors of the job not related to fear of being injured or that of dealing with injury & loss of life because of crime, however the impact of the profession on Clune's portrayed daughter was as per usual, cop parent never home enough, and cop parent worries more about family because they know what goes on out there. The program did a good job on the stressors in the second marriage of the detective, but also of the wife, also in a relatively similar field of work and was impacted because of her marriage to him (not just because of being the wife of a cop). It demonstrated how her professional life was impacted as well, and as an analyst, perhaps how the forces behind crime solving can be underappreciated by not only the public, but by the front line cops who deal with the public. It also, sadly, showed that corroboration between this married pair might have enhanced expedience in results, but was impeded by not only the husbands initial singular-minded stance but by the competing district. It also reflected her just concerns about her detective spouse's impact on coworkers which may affect her own job. I enjoyed her portrayal here and had appreciated her in her another genre, also, (the only other thing I remember her from), which I believe I am correct that she played Emma Timmons in the series Larkrise to Candleford, which was originally available here in the States provided to us by PBS. We are limited by what's available here, but her talent leads me to expect she is quite well-known in the UK.

Perhaps others looking toward the excitement of the usual fictional crime drama, which can be built into a script with car chases and such, might find the going a little slow, but as a docudrama with all this going on underneath the actual crime, and the honesty in which this case was portrayed, showing the pimples of a working police department. People do go on holiday, there can be miscommunication with it which can delay outcomes and cost lives, a bungled search, etc. think the story was very well done, and I can do without car chases and bullets flying.. the attic scene showed enough suspense about possible police injury for my taste. This shows only some of the difficulties in police work and how the job affects the lives of those working it, as well as being a good portrayal of the actual story of how this disturbing psychopath interacted with those in his life and how he was cought. It shows how law and order may be interfered with and manipulated by tge press. It demonstrated the stressors & resistance any professional must endure to effect a more responsible job, but particularly the resistance a detective, who fights resistance to being thorough, both higher and lower in rank, which is costly, and speaks to the to the dedicated diligence that is needed to make an effective arrest... one which will actually take the bad guy off the streets and effect a conviction, which is the result we all want in real life, not just an exciting story. To me although not an exactly exciting story, it was an intriguing one.

Yes, it is - it is always hard and rightly so.

Martin Clunes heads up a cast of usual TV faces to paint a picture of the hunt for Levi Bellfield.

ITV have always produced solid dramas of this type and all the usual tropes are there - the pre-amble states that this is a dramatisation and some scenes and characters are fabricated in order to shortcut a number of ties within the plot.

This is fine and all, but at times, it feels as though the drama is serving the purposes of the Met and not he public. ITV isn't a public-owned broadcaster and therefore do not answer to the public; I'm not saying that this programme is intended to mask the many faults of the investigation, but something along those lines.

It appears to focus on the good things that the Met did and it also focuses on the SIO Colin Sutton. The plot and story is devised by the said officer and it is clearly stated that this is a result of his memoirs of the case.

I'm sure that his accounts are backed up by the Met, but in a case which was widely criticised and questioned, I question the wisdom in allowing the 'Guv' to devise this piece. Maybe there is an element of laziness on ITV's part, or some ulterior motive, either way, perhaps he's the best person to tell the story, perhaps he isn't - who knows?

The point that I'm trying to make is that it is mostly centered on the 'Guv' and while this is the norm nowadays, it kind of makes him out to be some kind of Sherlock Holmes.

But not only this, it drags the 'Guv's' personal life into the equation as if to give him some humanity and while he is, of course, human, the 15-20+ minutes we are offered into the personal life of Sutton, could easily be better used on some of the more poignant points of the case.

The scenes with the wife also appear to give specific focus on how bureaucracy played its part in the whole investigation. Okay, that might be true, but does it really warrant a complete dramatic exposition on the matter?

Furthermore, in order to get a clear overview of the passing of time, it is important to keep an eye on the small time ticker that passes. The cretinous scum who committed these grotesque crimes went unnoticed for such a long time, and you can't help but ask - what took them so long? Well, they paint him as some kind of lucky and crafty serial killer who eluded capture; when in fact, it was down to incompetence and inter-force bureaucracy.

But this isn't what is infuriating - what is infuriating is that this drama did not focus on the complete mess that was the 'investigation' of Milly Dowler. Okay, it could be argued that this was not the focus of the programme and that ITV could only work with what they had.

But rather than commission a serial which focused on all the crimes (and the tragically misguided investigation into Milly's disappearance), ITV produced what looked like a rushed drama from a book (sorry, memoirs) written years after the fact.

I'm sorry, but ITV have took a shortcut here and told the wrong story - between his two ex's and Colin Sutton squabbling over who really caught him, there was a family who went through years of agony and suffering, only to have a serial created which focuses on the wrong story in this whole torrid affair.

Whoever commissioned this at ITV really should take a long hard look in the mirror and wobble their collective heads a bit.

Rather than create a half-baked drama on all the great things that the Police force (in general) did do right, perhaps create something that is critical and poignant in order to better serve the public viewers.

Furthermore, I would love to see what scenes were 'dramatic' and what scenes weren't, as there are one or two that are surely questionable.

The editing looks standard ITV M.O, the photography is as expected and the sound and music design are decent. The acting and direction are okay, if a little forced at the conflict points, but you can't fault the acting, it is quite good.

Give this one a miss - if you want entertainment, go for it; if you want to get pure facts and draw up your own conclusion, spend the three or so hours researching the cases from point-A to point-B.

How shockingly tired and same-old, same-old ITV drama's have become.

The source for this review is a video review I am producing for Youtube - feel free to search for it where you may give me your thoughts or if you would like to retort.

This feels like a by the numbers story telling.

All the expected tropes, including issues at home for the lead of the investigation who also has issues with his bos and some team mbers.

The soundtrack is enough to drive you to distraction. Can't anyone write music. Was it so boring otherwise that it needed that constant noise.

Competently constructed, but nothing interesting happens.

Three parts series. Two parts too many.

At the end, I did not care what the result was. I had to keep slapping myself in the face to stay awake. The only thing of note to me was how much money must have been spent to find out who the killer was, and that the British taxpayers pay to fly cops to France to tell the victim's parents they (the cops) screwed up. It is a wonder the cast was able to stay awake, although some of the acting resembled sleepwalking. This mini series could be a cure for insomnia.

A good factual re-enactment of the true story but why cast Martin Clunes ? Not playing to his strengths at all and Neil Morrissey would have been better based on his performance in Line Of Duty. Otherwise workmanlike performances by the rest of the cast showing how gritty and grinding policework got the job done.

This story brings nothing but sadness as i watched this good adaption of this horrendous and vile crime. The casting of martin clunes was a good choice as he captured the real drama and the casting was o.k. The only problem i have is that if it is true that police could have stopped Levi Bellfield sooner but made mistakes with a (CCTV) tapes mixup, as one officer should have check a new (CCTV) tape but check one that already had been checked again. Their was also the report of a stollen car that levis girl friend ownned going missing around time of a murder and reported but no action was taken. Then when they did car owner check of livi's cars they did not check his wifes car ownership record. The program also showed the hard work that had taken placed bringing him to justice. That said i do appreciate the hard work of investigating suck a crime. This drama did not answer questions why and maybe oneday his girlfriend will speak about it but how does a man of 5 children with daughters kill young women. police collusion with press: There was also hints of collusion and police bribery which led to a national phone hacking scandle,where the press had inside information from police and hacked a dead girls answerphone message. I just hope these women can now rest in peace and the papers and media should stop now cashing in on this crime.

It's ironic that a cast of actors mainly known for comedy roles should be performing in this drama. The whole disgraceful episode in policing would be comedic if it wasn't so tragic. The investigations into these terrible events was utterly incompetent and shambolic. It exposed the mistrust between English Police forces and their gross mismanagement. I can't believe they were about to leave a house where they'd searched for a murder suspect without having checked the attic and having to be told (luckily) by his wife that he was up there. Missing a statement of incredible significance right at the start and failing to do a CCTV review of a pertinent tape defies belief. Mistakes can be made as we are all human. But multiple failures of this nature are utterly unacceptable. Hang your heads in shame Surrey and The Met.

Good story, real story, but too much unnecessary scene.

Man hunt is a grounded biopic thriller with great performances and an intense look in to real police work while demomstraighting the toll It can take but that justice can be found and also a scary insight in to the evil deeds that mankind is capable of the films follows the very real and upsetting murder case in London in the early 200s it primary starts of at the latest victims s young female exchange students it then follows investorgstor Colin Sutton over the course of the case it follows his personally life and strong determination to bring the killer to justice to do this he must gather evidence and make it stick highly recommend