A true classic of British television drama. I remember this from its original airing in the UK and the release of the remake prompted me to buy the DVD version of the original series to see if it still has the means to captivate.It does.I say you you watch this series first and yes it may seem a stretch at around 5 hours but this sets the bar that the newer production has to hit. I very much doubt however that it will as Hollywood can rarely ratchet up the tension in the way the 1985 version does without resorting to pyrotechnics and burning rubber. Mind you with the original Director at the helm, who knows what can happen.

I first watched this when it was first shown on the BBC back in the eighties and thought it was a contender for the best television drama that I'd seen, twenty odd years later I still feel that way.Bob Peck plays DI Ronald Craven, a Yorkshire detective who's daughter is killed in the opening scenes, initially he thinks that he was the intended target but when he discovered that she was the sole survivor from a break it at a nuclear storage facility (Northmoor) he isn't so sure.When he travels down to London he is met by Pendleton and Harcourt, two people working in a covert government agency who in turn introduce him to Texan CIA operative Darius Jedburgh, played by Joe Don Baker. As the story proceeds they investigate what is going on at Northmoor and to eventually break in.I won't say more about the plot as it could spoil it. I'll just say that all of the acting is superb especially that of Bob Peck and Joe Don Baker, both on career best form. If you buy just one television mini series on DVD this should be the one.

While you could make a good argument that TV doesn't have much to offer as a medium, this mini series stands as a blazing example to the contrary.I doubt if this story would of worked as a movie. The suspense is slowly built per episode. Nothing blatant. Lots inferred. Brilliant writing. Superb acting. Haunting. Funny. Disturbing. The story is probably as relevant now (2005) as it was back in '85.The music score alone makes it worth adding to your DVD collection. Michael Karmen and Eric Clapton work magic on the score. (A poor copy following in Lethal Weapon 3).When it's over your heart won't sing; you probably won't have a smile on your face. Maybe a tear on the cheek? However, you'll be glad you watched it and rave about it later. It's a moving, gripping piece of work.

I can only sum up Edge of Darkness with the following statement. Quite simply it is the best thing that the BBC ever made.Bob Peck is magnificent as Craven. The ways in which he conveys the character's grief and slow descent into insanity while slipping in some dark humour meant that he fully deserved the BAFTA award he won. Also magnificent is Joe Don Baker as the hugely entertaining and eccentric Jedburgh. Episode 5 "Northmoor" which focuses on these two characters has to be seen to be believed.Both main characters are ably supported by a range of established British actors with union leader Godbolt, Craven's superior Ross and of course the Civil Servant double-act of Pendleton and Harcourt all very intriguing with each adding their part to the mystery.The use of film, Martin Campbell's direction, the opening sequences of each episode, Mat Irvine's visual effects, Eric Clapton's terrific score and most importantly Troy Kennedy Martin's fantastic script create a tense atmosphere and all combine to ensure that Edge of Darkness was and is one of the classiest and best thrillers ever produced. The plot twists and turns constantly but stay with it until the end. If you watch Episode 1 on the DVD you will be compelled to stick with it for a highly worthwhile 5 hours and at the end you might just wonder why the BBC have never put the licence fee to such good use since.