The Pembrokeshire Murders - DVD

Movie: When Detective Superintendent Steve Wilkins (Luke Evans) returns to his old home in Pembrokeshire after several years in London, he must immediately investigate an unsolved double murder. With the latest forensic methods at his disposal, Wilkins hopes he can convict the killer. During the investigation, he discovers that there is a connection to other unsolved murders. A suspect is also quickly found: John William Cooper(Keith Allen), who has been in prison for ten years for other crimes. Wilkins is certain that Cooper is a brutal serial killer. But he and his team must hurry to convict the man, because in a short time Cooper is to be released on parole. But the evidence is not enough to clearly link him to the murders...

"The Pembrokeshire Murders" is based on the true investigations of Steve Wilkins against John William Cooper, which Wilkins wrote down together with TV journalist Jonathan Hill in a book that served as the basis for the miniseries. Director Marc Evans has also created a very authentic basic atmosphere by shooting all the exterior scenes on original locations in Wales. The images captured here, combined with the very calm narrative, make for a gripping tension that could not have been built up nearly as well with fast-paced action.

So Evans manages a small feat: Although the perpetrator is basically known from the beginning and the series about two and a half hours rather dry investigative methods, the whole thing is never even the slightest bit boring, but captivates its audience until the finale. Supported by a great ensemble around "Hobbit" star Luke Evans and a disgustingly good Keith Allen in the best sense of the word, the true crime series offers first-class crime entertainment that tugs at the nerves of the viewers very artfully and effectively. Since it is almost impossible not to look at all three parts in one piece!

If you need speed and lots of bloodshed, this is not the place. And even if the search for the culprit - so the classic "Whodunit" - to a good crime novel simply belongs, with "The Pembrokeshire Murders" perhaps not quite warm can. But if you like crime thrillers with a dense atmosphere, psychological cat-and-mouse games, great actors and a gripping story, you should definitely not miss this miniseries. Absolutely worth seeing!

Picture + Sound: The look of the miniseries is determined by an oppressive dreariness, which is repeatedly underlined by rather undercooled colors. The fascinating landscape of Wales comes through the good image sharpness of the DVD just as atmospheric to show off, as by the appropriate color scheme. The fact that you are really drawn into the action on a visual level is also thanks to the strong images, which are well accentuated on the DVD. The Dolby Digital 5.1 mix is - also corresponding to the staging - very restrained, but fully fulfills its purpose. Good!

Extras: The DVD has about an hour of extras to offer in addition to the mini-series. In addition to some promo interviews, there are just under 28 minutes of worthwhile short documentaries, in which the shooting in Wales is illuminated as well as the true background of the story. Especially this part is very interesting and really worth watching!

Conclusion: "The Pembrokeshire Murders" is an atmospherically dense miniseries that offers gripping suspense despite a rather leisurely narrative pace over the entire running time of about two and a half hours. The true crime series is gripping and emotionally told and played especially great by lead actor Luke Evans. The DVD presents the three parts of the series in atmospheric picture and sound quality and provides as extras a few featurettes worth watching and informative interviews. All in all, there is for it quite clearly one: Absolutely recommendable!

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp