Prime Suspect 3 (1993) (TV)

Director:

David Drury

Writer:

Lynda La Plante (written by)

Release Date:

28 April 1994 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

Plot:

Assigned to a Vice squad, Detective Jane Tennison investigates a child murder and discovers a sinister link to the police.

Plot Keywords:

Investigation | Detective | Pimp | Murder | Vice Squad

Awards:

Won Primetime Emmy. Another 3 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

Helen Mirren	...	DCI Jane Tennison
Peter Capaldi	...	Vera Reynolds
Michael Shannon	...	Jake Hunter (as Michael J. Shannon)
Greg Saunders	...	Connie
David Thewlis	...	James Jackson
Danny Dyer	...	Martin Fletcher
Tom Bell	...	Sgt. Bill Otley
Richard Rees	...	Mike Chow
Terrence Hardiman	...	Commander Chiswick
Mark Strong	...	Insp. Larry Hall
Karen Tomlin	...	WPC Norma Hastings
Struan Rodger	...	Supt. Halliday
Liza Sadovy	...	WPC Kathy Bibby
John Benfield	...	Chief Supt. Kernan
Stephen Boxer	...	Supt. Thorndike

Also Known As:

Prime Suspect 3: The Keeper of Souls (Europe) (DVD title)
Epäilyksen polttopiste 3 (Finland) [fi]
Heißer Verdacht - Aktion soko (Germany) [de]
I mördarens spår - Själavårdaren (Sweden) [sv]

Runtime:

207 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Company:

Granada Television

Trivia:

At the beginning of the film, in his lecture, Jake says something to the effect of, all known serial killers are male - with exception to a recent case in the United States. It is likely he is referring to Aileen Wuornos, who was arrested and charged in 1992 for murdering seven men.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Parker-Jones walks into the police station, he is alone, but after the interrogation room door is closed, his lawyer suddenly appears.

Quotes:

DCI Jane Tennison: Have you ever had sex with a man?
Martin Fletcher: Who me? No!
DCI Jane Tennison: How about a blowjob? Ever done that?
Martin Fletcher: Yeah, a few times when I'm broke. I ain't into that kind of thing, I've got other means of employment.
DCI Jane Tennison: Oh yeah? Such as what?
Martin Fletcher: Breaking and entering, nicking cars, radios, do a bit of begging.
[Mockingly]
Martin Fletcher: Sell my life story to the newspapers.
DCI Jane Tennison: Now you listen to me, Martin. You think you can play games with us, lie to us and it's all a joke isn't it? Well it isn't! Colin Jenkins is dead! There's no one to claim his body, no one to even bury him. No one cares about Colin other than us - and you're next, Martin~ You're the next little dead body we found out there - you know that? Want people to care about you?

Movie Connections:

References The Blue Angel (1930/I)

Soundtrack:

Falling in Love Again

Stunning performance by Mirren and cast

The director did a superb job pulling PS 3 together. There are many twists and turns and unexpected endings. This shows the fullness of human nature in graphic, dark but jarring peeks into a modern police investigation. It also is a thought provoking portrayal of how powerless we often are to bring about meaningful change in erasing the root causes of such crimes from our communities.

The interjection of the investigation teams personal and sexual lives adds to the drama and richness of PS 3. The beginnings of life, childhood interrupted and the degradation of some of humanity is well portrayed. The dialogue is often excellent and you have to listen to some of the questioning sessions carefully to pick up nuances that become important later. The resolution is not as expected leaving the audience with a lot to think about about the rent boy issue today.

Mirren again bucks the system and the old boy network. the crusty Sergeant Bill Otley also surprises -- sometimes hard and occasionally "soft" when faced with the grit and horror of the crimes they are investigating.

There is no sugar coating hear. Highly recommended.