David Haig Movies

Fyodor Dostoyevsky's evergreen psychological novel Crime and Punishment was given an up-close-and-personal treatment in this two-part British miniseries version, first telecast over the BBC in 2002. John Simm starred as Dostoyevsky's idealistic antihero Raskolnikov, who, secure in his belief that he was a superior being ungoverned by emotions, murdered a hateful pawnbroker and impassively watched as the ensuing criminal investigation unfolded before his very eyes. Police inspector Porfiry (Ian McDiarmid) was fairly confident that Raskolnikov was the guilty party, but rather than immediately moving in for his kill, Porfiry calmly waited for the killer's latent conscience to get the better of him. There was more to the story, of course, and Tony Marchant's teleplay admirably telescoped the Dostoyevsky original into a neat four-hour television package. Eschewing the straightforward approach taken by earlier adaptations of Crime and Punishment, director Julian Jarrold trafficked in tight, uncomfortable close-ups and vertigo-inducing camera angles, virtually forcing the viewer to become as neurotic and unraveled as Raskolnikov. Filmed on location in St. Petersburg in the former Soviet Union, Crime and Punishment was first seen in the U.S. over the Bravo cable network on January 28 and 29, 2003. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The citizenry of Gasforth is up in arms over the proposed construction of a new highway bypass. In trying to control the situation, Inspector Raymond Fowler is stymied by the fact that his police squad colleague (and erstwhile sweetheart) Sgt. Patricia Dawkins has joined the protestors. In other developments, Constable Frank Goody falls in love, while Detective Inspector Grim obsesses over the "desecration" of his precious automobile. "Road Rage" was originally telecast on December 19 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Having been captivated by the new age movement, Sgt. Patricia Dawkins decides to go through an elaborate "rebirthing" process -- thereby driving her off-and-on lover, Inspector Raymond Fowler, completely bonkers. In the same spirit, Constable Frank Goody decides to adopt an alternative (to say the least) lifestyle. Other crises at the Gasforth Police Station involve Detective Inspector Grim's efforts to bust druggies at a local "rave," a temporarily co-ed bathroom, and a visit from the sister of WPC Maggie Habib. "Alternative Culture" originally aired on December 5, 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Inspector Raymond Fowler is in for a whole new set of headaches when Ms. Wickerham, the new Mayoress of Gasforth, decides to begin legislating political correctness. As luck would have it, Wickerham's campaign coincides with the arrival of an illegal immigrant and the EC Commissioner for Human Rights (each of whom is mistaken for the other). On another front, Sgt. Patricia Dawkins tries to save a woman from being beaten -- thereby lousing up yet another carefully contrived "sting" operation by Detective Inspector Grim. "Ism, Ism, Ism" first aired on November 21, 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

After ten years of living together, Inspector Raymond Fowler finally proposes to Sgt. Patricia Dawkins. She is thrilled -- until she discovers the true motivations behind Raymond's question-popping. As if this weren't trouble enough, Detective Inspector Grim is more depressed than usual over his impending 20th anniversary with the Gasforth police squad. "Green Eyed Monster" first aired December 23, 1996, as the final episode of The Thin Blue Line. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The members of the Gasforth police squad face all sorts of mischief when they pull night shift duty. Detective Inspector Grim finds himself working hand and glove with Scotland Yard, incurring the jealousy of Inspector Raymond Fowler. Meanwhile, Raymond's erstwhile lover Sgt. Patricia Dawkins tangles with a gang of irksome teenagers. And how does that attractive sex therapist figure into the story? "Night Shift" originally aired on December 11, 1995. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Inspector Raymond Fowler expects to win a quiz session being staged at his local pub. Raymond's ace in the hole is his police station colleague, WPC Maggie Habib, who happens to be a trivia whiz. Alas, Detective Inspector Grim requires Habib's services as "bait" for an otherwise elusive crook. "Honey Trap" made its first British television appearance on November 27, 1995. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the opening episode of the British "ensemble" sitcom The Thin Blue Line, Sgt. Patricia Dawkins of the Gasforth police squad prepares to celebrate her tenth anniversary as the live-in sweetheart of Inspector Raymond Fowler. Alas, Raymond seals the doom of this relationship by his preoccupation with the upcoming birthday of Queen Elizabeth. Meanwhile, the other police officers try to deal with a potential suicide, while anal-retentive Detective Inspector Grim wrestles with the World Wide Web. "The Queen's Birthday Present" was first telecast on November 13, 1995. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The Gasforth police station is set on its ear by the presence of an abandoned baby. As Sgt. Patricia Dawkins tends to the troublesome infant, her colleague WPC Maggie Habib faces down a sexual harasser -- only to be flummoxed by the gallant efforts of Constable Kevin Goody to "protect" her. As for Inspector Raymond Fowler and Detective Inspector Grim, they have troubles organizing a "therapeutic" camping trip for a gang of young punks. "Kids Today" was originally telecast December 18, 1995. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Adapted from the autobiographical novel by Nigel Nicolson, the four-part British miniseries Portrait of a Marriage was inspired by the marriage of convenience between Nicolson's parents, historian Harold Nicolson and novelist Vita Sackville-West (Janet McTeer). Although the elder Nicolson was homosexual, his wife Vita was not only forgiving, but also obliging when he strayed from home and hearth to pursue partners of his own gender. After all, Vita was herself embroiled in a torrid -- and ultimately tragic -- affair with one Violet Keppel (Cathryn Harrison). The winner of a BAFTA award for Best Costume Design (Dinah Collin), Portrait of a Marriage was telecast in Britain and New Zealand in 1990, and in the United States two years later. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the second episode of a four-part story, the Doctor (Tom Baker) and Romana (Lalla Ward) have arrived at the Leisure Hive, a recreational center curiously located on Argolis, a war-ravaged, dangerously radioactive planet. Mena (Adrienne Corri), the war survivor in charge of the Hive, has been contemplating a sellout to the Foamasi, the race responsible for Argolis' devastatation. Complicating matters is the murder of a space scientist, for which the Doctor and Romana are blamed. What is the true purpose of the Hive's Tachyon Recreation Generator? Originally telecast September 6, 1980, "The Leisure Hive, Episode 2" was written by David Fisher. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the conclusion of the four-part story "The Leisure Hive," the Doctor (Tom Baker) tries to prevent a second nuclear holocaust on the planet Argolis. Unfortunately, he may be too late; the Tachyon Recreation Generator has been activated and it looks as though an army of killer clones will be the result. Instead, however, the T.R.G. turns out to have a conscience -- and a sense of humor. Originally telecast September 20, 1980, "The Leisure Hive, Episode 4" was written by David Fisher. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide