:
Robbie Coltrane,
Lorcan Cranitch,
Lorcan Cranitch,
more...
see all cast/crew...
: Not Rated
: HBO Video, HBO Home Video
: Foreign, Cops, UK
: English
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Cracker - Series 1 (Disc 1 of 3) (1993)
Hot on the heels of Prime Suspect came Robbie Coltrane's (Hagrid in the Harry Potter movies) outstanding creation of "Fitz," in the PBS series Cracker. Fitz is an addicted gambler, a heavy drinker, and a brilliant if deeply flawed criminal psychologist. He is, to the working mind of a killer what CSI is to a trace of blood or a single hair. For Fitz, murder is just the beginning. Three stories follow Fitz as he investigates an accused commuter train killer with amnesia, a couple who share love and murder, and the killing of a young boy that shakes a community to its core.
Cracker - Series 1 (Disc 2 of 3) (1993)
Of all the characters in TV's "unlikely detective" genre, the leading character of the British cop series Cracker may well have been the unlikeliest. Robbie Coltrane starred as Dr. Eddie "Fitz" Fitzgerald, a brilliant psychologist -- not to mention a chronic gambler, alcoholic, chain smoker, overeater, and serial philanderer. Despite these shortcomings (and others too numerous to mention), Fitz was much revered by the local constabulary for his talent as a "cracker," using his professional skills to solve crimes so complex that they invariably left the official police totally baffled. Others in the cast included Barbara Flynn as Fitz's long-suffering wife, Judith, Geraldine Somerville as Fitz's police contact and sometimes lover Det. Sgt. Jane Penhaligon, and his other colleagues DCI Charlie Wise (Ricky Tomlinson) and Det. Sgt. Jimmy Beck (Lorcan Cranitch). When Beck was murdered at the outset of season two, he was replaced by DCI David Bilborough (Christopher Eccleston). Debuting September 27, 1993, on ITV1, Cracker originally aired in a weekly, one-hour format, with its storylines taking up two to three consecutive episodes. These were re-edited as "TV movies" when Cracker was subsequently rebroadcast in the United States. The series ended after three seasons and a one-off special, "White Ghost," which first aired on October 28, 1996. An American TV version of Cracker, starring Robert Pastorelli in the old Robbie Coltrane role (rechristened Gerry Fitzgerald) was briefly telecast by ABC in 1997. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Cracker - Series 1 (Disc 3 of 3) (1993)
Hot on the heels of Prime Suspect came Robbie Coltrane's (Hagrid in the Harry Potter movies) outstanding creation of "Fitz," in the PBS series Cracker. Fitz is an addicted gambler, a heavy drinker, and a brilliant if deeply flawed criminal psychologist. He is, to the working mind of a killer what CSI is to a trace of blood or a single hair. For Fitz, murder is just the beginning. Three stories follow Fitz as he investigates an accused commuter train killer with amnesia, a couple who share love and murder, and the killing of a young boy that shakes a community to its core.
Disc One contains "The Mad Woman in the Attic."
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| Brutally Fascinating
by michele
November 3, 2003 - 9:50 AM PST
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2 out of 2 members found this review helpful
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| There are three things that make this series worth watching. First is Coltrane as Fitz - a compelling character, an obese married man with a wife and two children. He almost loses his home and family because of his addictions to gambling and alcohol. I found myself, several times, questioning my reasons for liking such a sleazebag. Yet, I was completely captivated. Fitz's strong personality and passion for solving the mystery are what drive the series. Secondly, the characters surrounding Fitz, from the young head inspector to the lone young woman in the department intent upon proving herself to everyone involved, all bring a much greater depth into the police station than even the characters on Prime Suspect did. The third reason for sitting through all of the intensely brutal, realistic crimes committed is that the outcome of these cases are unpredictable. I can't really go much further with that explanation, or else I would spoil it. Go Hagrid! |
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