Frances Durbridge's story 'My Wife Melissa' is possibly his finest work, a prolific writer that wrote some wonderfully intriguing mysteries.I'm a huge fan of the 1974 version, totally faithful, beautifully acted, done in the way of a stage play.For the updated production Channel 4 called in Alan Bleasdale, notably famed for Boys from the Black stuff.For me I'm glad to story was changed and updated, had it been a carbon copy of the previous version it would have been wasteful. There were changes, Melissa survives a lot longer then she's meant to, giving her more of a character. Guy is given more of a story.Jennifer Ehle and Julie Walters are utterly terrific, Adrian Dunbar is a brilliant actor, but I'm not sure how suited to the part he was.Part 1 was a little disappointing, it acts almost like a prequel, it gives the back story to the characters, it's a little hit and miss, but after that it's fantastic, Part 4 in particular is wonderful. Really worth watching. 9/10

I am a huge fan of the 1974 production which remains faithful to the Original story. However I would have been very disappointed if this 1997 version had of turned out to be precisely the same. Whilst it would have still been very watchable it would have been essentially going over old ground due to the excellently portrayed earlier version. What Alan Bleasdale gives us in his version is a prologue to the original story which provides additional story lines and much more background to the original characters and how some of their pasts link up with one another. In the original story Cape Town is only mentioned in passing, however Alan Bleasdale uses this setting to portray Guy's past and how he meets Melissa as well as a backdrop for three additional murders. In my opinion this production was brilliantly written and offered us something much more than just a straight forward adaptation and the additional material fits seamlessly in to the original story. The cast consists of very well established names which results in very strong and memorable performances all round.

Melissa was fantastic. Not because of Bleasdale's production - In fact compared to G.B.H and Jakes Progress it was rather disappointing. But because of performances from Jennifer Ehle, Julie Walter and the marvellous and incredibly underestimated Diana Weston it shone like a shining star.

This is what British drama - good British drama - is all about: fine performances (not just a big name dragging a bunch of good-lookers), effective direction, an unbeatable, realistic script and effects that don't take over from actions.Jennifer Ehle was excellent as the enigmatic Melissa in the title role, Julie Walters - as ever - turns out a stirring performance, and Diana Weston's drunken Hope brings a smile to the face with those Shirley Bassey impersonations.Something of a gentle thriller, and something that will definitely keep you guessing until the end.