David Thacker Movies

Michael Kitchen stars as the titular detective in this short series of mysteries set amidst the backdrop of England at the dawn of World War II. Foyle's War: A Lesson in Murder concerns the mysterious circumstances involving the death of a conscientious objector to the war effort. It seems that he died while in police custody, and the man who had him arrested, Judge Gascoigne (Oliver Ford Davies), is coming under a lot of scrutiny since the incident. Gascoigne rules over his court -- and his family -- with an iron fist, and as a result has made many a citizen more than a little perturbed. What's more, when Foyle learns of the secretive nature of the victim's former workplace -- a munitions factory -- he discovers yet another wrinkle to the case. ~ Michael Hastings, All Movie Guide

Produced for the BBC in 2001, The Mayor of Casterbridge is the second British miniseries version of Thomas Hardy's 1886 novel (the first was filmed in 1978). This time, Ciarán Hinds stars as Michael Henchard, an unemployed drunkard who, in a moment of greedy delirium, sells his wife, Susan (Juliet Aubrey), and their infant daughter, Elizabeth Jane, to a passing sailor -- for a price of five pounds. Sobering up the next day, Henchard conducts a frenzied search for his family, only to find that they have already gone. Swearing off liquor, Henchard promises to re-invent himself as a solid and dependable citizen. He succeeds so thoroughly in this endeavor that, 18 years later, he has risen to the rank of mayor of Casterbridge. About to make his reformation complete by wedding attractive young Lucetta (Polly Walker), Henchard is aghast to discover that his wife and now-grown daughter (played as an adult by Jodhi May), have returned home. Hounded by his conscience, Henchard bends over backward to make amends to his loved ones -- only to revert to his old, disreputable self when things go terribly wrong. Meanwhile, a new intrigue has blossomed vis-à-vis a romantic triangle involving Elizabeth Jane, Lucetta, and handsome, righteous Donald Farfrae (James Purefoy). The Mayor of Casterbridge made its U.S. debut August 17, 2003, on the A&E cable channel. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Based on a novel by Minnette Walters, the two-part British miniseries Scold's Bridle began with the death of an ill-tempered old woman named Mathilda Gillespie (Sian Phillips). Found with an antique device known as a scold's bridle (so named because it was designed to "muzzle" sharp-tongued housewives and gossips) locked around her jaws, Mathilda appeared to have committed suicide by asphyxiating herself. But police detective Cooper (Bob Peck) suspected foul play, especially since none of Mathilde's neighbors or relatives could abide the woman's company. The only person on good terms with the dead woman was local doctor Sarah Blakeney (Miranda Richardson) -- who, by a curious coincidence, was named as sole beneficiary in Mathilde's will. Having his doubts about Sarah's good intentions, Cooper decided to reopen his investigation of the old lady's death. In so doing, he discovered that Mathilde's entire family seethed with corruption, as did most of the neighboring clans. Additionally, despite his own better judgment, Cooper found himself attracted to the enigmatic Sarah -- and never mind that she already had a husband, a seemingly affable chap named Jack (Douglas Hodge). The Scold's Bridle was originally aired in 1998, presented in two 75-minute installments by BBC1; the property was rebroadcast in the U.S. in June 1999. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

One of several British crime series of the 1990s to enjoy popularity on both sides of the Atlantic, Silent Witness starred Amanda Burton as Professor Sam Ryan, a police pathologist based at London University. Disdaining the assistance of the Law, Sam preferred to solve perplexing murder cases all by herself, using the evidence at hand in her well-stocked forensic laboratory. Like the American series Law & Order, the characters were defined by their professional lives, with precious few glimpses into their off-hours activities. Sarah Leonard was heard during the opening credits singing the memorable title song. Created by Nigel McCrery, the series debuted over BBC1 on February 21, 1996, yielding 18 50-minute episodes (many of them two-parters) and one 95-minute TV movie. Silent Witness subsequently aired in the United States over the A&E cable network. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide