In Plain Sight

[johncorrigan]

Top drawer

Couldn't agree more, Cal. Quality TV! The sight of the open pear can said so much, and Muncie telling the rest of the force about Manuel's mistake was a really great scene. Compston and Henschell deserve every credit for their performances.

[Richard Tarleton]

Indeed. Douglas Henshall (n.b. sp ) a mesmerising actor. If you get the chance catch a repeat of "Collision", a drama shown on 5 successive nights centred around the fall-out from a (bear with me here) multiple-car pile-up, in which he is the investigating officer. Not to mention Shetland. The end credits - Muncie investigated - 50? - murders, and solved every one. Manuel was cocky to the end, by the sound of it.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Indeed. Douglas Henshall (n.b. sp ) a mesmerising actor. If you get the chance catch a repeat of "Collision", a drama shown on 5 successive nights centred around the fall-out from a (bear with me here) multiple-car pile-up, in which he is the investigating officer. Not to mention Shetland

I think we should mention "Shetland" - but he might be happy if we passed over "Primeval"!

The end credits - Muncie investigated - 50? - murders, and solved every one. Manuel was cocky to the end, by the sound of it.

"Interesting" that Manuel has his own WIKI entry, but Muncie doesn't.

[johncorrigan]

- but he might be happy if we passed over "Primeval"!

...or Iona, which even his valliant efforts could not save from being a monstrosity of a film. Being Ionaphiles, Mrs C and I took in a showing at the Dundee film theatre (DCA) which promised a Q&A with the Director afterwards. Iona looked beautiful in the movie, of course, and Bess the horse put in a sterling performance, but the film was just terrible. When the end credits came up Mrs C and I, as one, stood up and did a runner and adjourned to the bar rather than listen to what we assumed would be fawning questions. Not even Mr Henshall could rescue this turkey!

[Once Was 4]

I think we should mention "Shetland" - but he might be happy if we passed over "Primeval"!


"Interesting" that Manuel has his own WIKI entry, but Muncie doesn't.

There are items on the Internet regarding Supt. (later Assistant Chief Constable) Muncie. From these the portrayal in the series seems to have been accurate although he may have blotted his copybook with his last case. A man with a dark side but that is not surprising given what his daily work involved him in.

[kernelbogey]

Just caught up with the final episode (Not very festive I know, but as the man said "A sad tale's best for winter").

I thought it was the best of the lot, finely done on all levels, and managing to be gripping even though one knew the outcome. The most telling moments done with beautifully-judged dramatic economy - a hardening of a stare, a silence - and all the more potent. Ditto the potentially hideous family murder - nothing seen other than a little hand and a trickle of blood, but Douglas Henschell's reactions said more than any lurid staging could (the ancient Greeks knew a thing or two).

Top drawer

Agreed. The two lead performances of Muncie and Manuel - perhaps deliberately - eclipsed those of all the other characters, and have haunted me since seeing the last episode in a way that is rare with television. The confrontation between them in the interview room was unforgetable.

[johncorrigan]

Agreed. The two lead performances of Muncie and Manuel - perhaps deliberately - eclipsed those of all the other characters, and have haunted me since seeing the last episode in a way that is rare with television. The confrontation between them in the interview room was unforgetable.

...and the confrontation in the cell too when Muncie tells Manuel that he's not the only one who tells lies. Brilliant. I agree with what you say, kernelbogey, but not only do the characters and incidents haunt us, I have found that over the Christmas period anybody who saw the series wants to discuss it, and persuade those who didn't see it that it is well worth investigating.

[kernelbogey]

...and the confrontation in the cell too when Muncie tells Manuel that he's not the only one who tells lies.

I had some difficulty in parts with the accents + recording, and despite a rewind didn't get that bit, though the scene was still immensely powerful.

An article from 1992 in the Herald (Scotland) alleges that Muncie's method was to decide who was guilty and then look for evidence to support that belief. Could that be what this bit of dialogue refers to...?

[Richard Tarleton]

An article from 1992 in the Herald (Scotland) alleges that Muncie's method was to decide who was guilty and then look for evidence to support that belief. Could that be what this bit of dialogue refers to...?

I thought that bit referred to Muncie having led Manuel to believe he'd arrested his father for helping move bodies i.e accomplice to murder rather than merely for receiving stolen goods (the Xmas presents)? Thus provoking the reaction he'd predicted from Manuel?

Not sure that it merits its own thread but anyone watch Witness for the Prosecution? Some major changes from the 1957 film....

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I thought that bit referred to Muncie having led Manuel to believe he'd arrested his father for helping move bodies rather than merely for receiving stolen goods (the Xmas presents)? Thus provoking the reaction he'd predicted from Manuel?

That's how I understood it - Muncie deliberately leading Manuel to admit to the crimes, not to save his father but because his vanity wouldn't allow anyone to think that he needed help from anyone else.

[kernelbogey]

That's how I understood it - Muncie deliberately leading Manuel to admit to the crimes, not to save his father but because his vanity wouldn't allow anyone to think that he needed help from anyone else.

Ah yes, that fits - Manuel's outraged yelling at Muncie as he leaves the cell.

[johncorrigan]

It would seem that William Watt, the Cop turned baker who was arrested for the murders of his wife and two daughters was held for almost two months, was in serious danger of being tried and hanged for their killings; but the combinations of Muncie's obsession and knowledge of Manuel, and Manuel's 'anonymous' letters led to Watt's release...also Watt's realisation of the danger he was in, to hire the renowned lawyer Lawrence Dowdall to pursue his case. That led to attempted set-up in the drama in the restaurant when Manuel 'accidently' tips wine over Dowdall, and then taunts Watt while the Lawyer is away cleaning himself and having a go at Muncie in the process. Great drama!

[jean]

Not sure that it merits its own thread but anyone watch Witness for the Prosecution? Some major changes from the 1957 film....

Just finished the second episode.

Christie's plots never have holes in them, but are usually too convoluted to be convincing. This adaptation, though, made it all quite believable. I had never read it or seen the film, so I didn't know about the plot changes until I looked it up just now - the ending here I take it reverted to Christie's original in her short story, but the extra suspect must have been new.

[johncorrigan]

Just to mention that ITV3 have started a rerun of 'In Plain Sight' this week.