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Ultraviolet [DVD]
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Format | Color, DVD, NTSC, Widescreen, Letterboxed, Multiple Formats |
Contributor | Susannah Harker, Elizabeth Earl, Corin Redgrave, Jack Davenport, Idris Elba, Philip Quast, Thomas Lockyer, Fiona Dolman, Matthew Butler, Stephen Moyer, Colette Brown See more |
Language | English |
Number Of Discs | 2 |
Runtime | 6 hours |
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Product Description
Product description
a vampire thiriller
Amazon.com
In a new twist on an old theme, the coolly stylish British miniseries Ultraviolet brings vampires into the 21st century, though the word vampire is never uttered in this mix of The X-Files and somber British TV mysteries like Touching Evil. Jack Davenport is a police detective who stumbles into an elite government agency when his partner and best friend suddenly becomes a nocturnal thug and bites him on the neck. Davenport reluctantly cuts off his old friends and lovers to join the team, which includes Idris Elba as a merciless ex-soldier and Susannah Harker as a medical researcher, and investigate a web of counterfeiting operations, banking scams, and experimental labs featuring human guinea pigs. "What they're researching is pollution: contamination of their blood supply," offers team leader and former priest Philip Quast, but the question remains: are they soulless monsters out to conquer mankind, or a persecuted minority who just want to live in peace with the humans?
Writer-director-creator Joe Ahearne brings all the traditional vampire tropes up to date; not only do they lack reflections in a mirror, but they don't show up on video and their voices don't carry over phone lines or record on audio tapes ("which makes surveillance a bitch"). Sunlight burns like an acid, and when they die they go up like a flare, leaving a pile of ash in their wake. But it's the sharp character writing, moral quandaries, and ingenious twists of this smart, stylish conspiracy thriller that make this series gripping down to the final episode.
The two-disc DVD set features an audio interview with Ahearne along with episode synopses and character notes. --Sean Axmaker
Product details
- Is Discontinued By Manufacturer : No
- MPAA rating : Unrated (Not Rated)
- Package Dimensions : 7.4 x 5.1 x 0.9 inches; 5.6 Ounces
- Media Format : Color, DVD, NTSC, Widescreen, Letterboxed, Multiple Formats
- Run time : 6 hours
- Release date : June 26, 2001
- Actors : Jack Davenport, Susannah Harker, Idris Elba, Philip Quast, Fiona Dolman
- Language : English (Dolby Digital 5.1), Unqualified, English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround)
- Studio : Palm Pictures / Umvd
- ASIN : B00005KA70
- Number of discs : 2
- Best Sellers Rank: #41,545 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
- #917 in Science Fiction DVDs
- Customer Reviews:
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"Ultraviolet" is part mystery, part sci-fi thriller and part horror show mixed into one story spread over six episodes. The main character, Michael (played by Jack Davenport, also of "Coupling" fame), is a London police detective leading a fairly normal life in the beginning of the Episode One. When his partner Jack disappears on the night before Jack's wedding, however, Michael investigates and quickly becomes possessed of a knowledge that few others have: the world is infested by a small but active vampire colony. Interestingly, the word "vampire" is never used in the series; "leech" is apparently the preferred term. However, these leeches suck blood from their victims' necks, have superhuman strength, cannot be recorded by any modern technology, can be killed by exposure to sunlight, and will live forever if not destroyed. In other words, if it quacks like a duck... While continuing his investigation into Jack's disappearance, Michael is reluctantly recruited into a special police/paramilitary unit whose sole function is to neutralize the leeches and keep humanity safe from enslavement and/or extermination.
I'm not going to provide an episode guide; other reviewers below have done that. Instead, I'm going to tell you why you should watch this show. First, Writer/Director Joe Ahearne does a masterful job of buliding suspense. The action is seen through Michael's eyes for the most part, and Ahearne uses the classic "less is more" style to make this show really creepy. For example, you hardly ever see the leeches; instead, you see the effects on the people with whom the leeches have had contact. It creates a very tense atmosphere of "they're out there somewhere, we just don't know where." (See the movie "Alien" if you don't know what I'm talking about.) Further, Michael's new colleagues are almost as threatening as the leeches. It is several episodes before Michael learns much about them and even then they are so maniacal about doing their job, you never quite get to a spot where you completely trust them. The viewer knows, as does Michael, that Michael would be shot down immediately if he ever ever becomes a leech, bonds of loyalty or friendship (such as they are) notwithstanding.
Second, the cinematography is excellent. Much like early seasons of the "X-Files", most of the scenes in "Ultraviolet" are shot either in very low light or at night, setting a dark mood for the whole series. I won't ruin it for you, but there is a scene in Episode Five (Terra Incognita) involving one of Michael's colleagues being trapped inside a warehouse with several leech coffins that are time-coded to open right at sundown. Michael and the cavalry are ten minutes away; the coffins are set to open in four minutes. The sun sets in the blood red sky as this seconds tick off and.... well, as another reviewer says, this might be the best scene in the whole series.
Third, and although there is plenty of action, the characters develop more through good dialogue than through good marksmanship. It's really hard to find a show that is as well written as this one, where what the characters say has real meaning to the story, as opposed to just being filler material until the next chase scene. It is so well done, in fact, that you will be sorely disappointed when the end of Episode Six rolls around because you really want to know what happens next to all of these people. You feel cheated, like there should be more. And that, my friends, is the mark of a good TV show.
So go ahead and hit that 1-click ordering button; you'll be glad you did.
First of all, don't read anything more about the plot. It's a good tale that works best with no knowledge at all of what it is about or what is going on. There are many terrific surprises and each carefully plotted episode builds upon the other and concludes in a satisfying end. Each episode has a slow, stately pace that adds to the spiderweb of intrique. There are more than a few unsettling ideas in here that are testament to a crafty writer.
There are a couple of flaws. For one, the actors are so serious and grave that they seem bland compared to the USA's wisecracking, action heroes. There's little chemistry between the detectives, not because they are poor actors or the dialogue is weak, but because they are acting serious. Our heroes have had their personal lives sucked dry by the vamps -- they have no life or passions beyond hunting them. But it's a different take from most detective shows that take the easy approach and therefore fill the show with sarcastic buddy movie banter that doesn't fit the overall tone of the show. Some may take this Brit approach as boring. I prefer the term "realistic" and applaud the decision. However, I must admit that I only liked the characters the second time I saw the series and had time to look deeper at them. The first time I even had several of the characters confused, since they aren't as distinct as cliched characters from other series.
Also, some complain that it is only 6 episodes. However, each episode has so many ideas and dialogue that they individually feel more like movies (so they feel long). Also, the end is throughly done, plotted and concludes the whole series nicely. After it is over, it feels like a full meal compared to other TV series that feel cotton-candy like. Yes, I wish for a sequel. But it ends nicely and doesn't require one.
The lack of DVD extras is infuriating, especially considering that you want to know more about the inventive minds who came up with such a devious plot.
When you do see it, you'll see why BBC shows are often a class above their Yankee cousins. While inspired by the "X-Files", it expands upon it with a dour, somber mood and populates the cast with nuanced and divided characters. Better yet, the dialogue and unsettling moral dilemnas really make it a standout in the entire genre. I'm a huge "Buffy" fan and appreciate Whedon's postmodern winking, action-packed update of the genre. This is a different twist: grim, political, and psychological. It's well worth the buy.
FYI -- Don't judge this by the cover. The box cover seems like an "X-Files" knockoff, when this is not the case. The characters are very unlike Mulder of Scully.
This was VERY well done for a Brit show. I mean, the last horror story that had any teeth in it was the "28 days" thingy. (And, hey, I kept thinking THAT had something to do with the mense's all the way to the end. Shoulda picked a different number.)
Story-line is better than fine; its Gr-rr-rate. The Music is fine. FX is fine. Unknown actors that can really act fine. Directed fine. In fact, everything was fine enough for it to have gotten a Globe if it were done in U.S. I read of rummors of it being picked up to be done for the U.S. market - Fox, I think. Then I catch the name being used for some SCIFI "Kill Bill" knock off. Go figure.
Anyway, the DVD stands on its own; every episode up to high standards to keep you wanting to see the next one, even with an excellent to superior plot twist at the end. It's just such a good plot line, its disappointing it didn't have a least 2 more seasons, that's all. I mean, it's kinda like listening half-way through an Alan Parsons album.
Would I recommend getting this DVD? Absolutly. Am I still pissed about them not doing another season? Yeah, but that's tempered a little after watching the DVD a few times. And, that plot twist... I keep thinking I shoulda seen it coming, but then again, hey, THAT'S what the Brits are VERY good at.
(This is a very common stumbling block in stories where the creator wants to steer away from the mysticism of the vampire legends. To date, IMO, no-one's really succeeded at that.)
The good:
The score. Moody, bluesy, and never overpowers the action on-screen.
The actors: the central cast (with one exception) all had good chemistry together, and it was a treat to see a show where the 'buddy element' wasn't hammered into the viewer's head. These aren't 'best buds.' They're not drones or fanatics. They're people who've been through terrible things, pitting their intelligence and skills against an enemy who's way ahead of them.
The plots: Hoo, boy. Ultraviolet tackles some pretty controversial topics. Great change from the usual fare.
The bad:
There isn't much in the way of resolution. So much is left hanging.
The gimmick: These vampires can't be seen by machines--no recordings, photos, etc. Vampirism is a type of virus. Yet it's never explained just how a virus manages to make one's clothes invisible to machines, or voices unable to be captured on audio equipment. Or why the 'active ingredient in garlic' has an unspecified effect, or why one needs special ammo to shoot one.
In short, the 'new' mode of vampire looks surface-cool, but it doesn't hold up under a closer look. If you can set that aside, you'll enjoy UV. There's almost nothing in the way of extras on the two-disc set, so if you can't suspend disbelief, don't shell out for what will become very expensive drink coasters.
Are the vampires evil? Does religion really have anything to with them? Is the cross's effect on vampires merely psychosomatic or is there real power there? Is the special branch just a modern day version of the inquisition, oppressing the innocent?
It is to the show's credit that you do not really know the answers to all of these questions until the last episode, though clues are sprinkled about throughout.
This is the best vampire story I've ever encountered (book, movie, or series). Although shown occasionally on the Sci Fi channel, owning the DVD is well worth the price to see it for the first time.
For those who have seen the series on t.v., the DVD is still worthwhile. Though there is not much in the way of extras, the DVD version seemed much easier to understand (and not just because I had seen it before). The sound quality is very good. On the t.v. version the conversation was sometimes hard to follow because of the English accents. Not so with the DVD. Being able to follow the conversations more closely added a lot to my viewing pleasure.
Worth it.
The premise is rather simple. Vampires (referred to primarily as "leeches" in the series) exist and have existed, governments have countered this threat with secret agencies designed to fight it. These agencies only recruit people that may have already been affected by the leeches. The series primarily follows one man, as he is brought into that world because of a friend.
It is an original way of dealing with the vampire fiction. Over several episodes, you rarely see the vampires, and mainly deal with the fallout from their actions. You almost never see the same vampire in multiple episodes.
Throughout the mini-series clues are dropped, and the mystery is not resolved until the final part of the final episode. Still, even at the conclusion, there remains a conflict. I was hoping to see a continuation.
It is obvious that the writers have given the issues some thought and the motivations of the "vampires" are more intelligently thought out. Perhaps it is a pity that we don't get to learn more about the hierarchy and organisation of the vampires other than some hints. This is strongly suggested by their organised and coordinated efforts, and willingness to act on their own initiative to pursue common goals.
In other words, these were intelligent vampires who are able to transcend their individual needs for their greater good. Which is an interesting idea but which raises my skepticism. Like I said, maybe it would have helped if there were more explanation, but as the story is told from the perspective of the humans, there is no premise for that to happen within 6 episodes.
As for the execution of the story, I thought the acting was not very credible. I didn't get the sense that there was any chemistry at all between the actors. Bland.
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This is a really intelligent treatment of the vampire myth -- very philosophical (well, in the background -- NOT BORING!)
I find the most fascinating question it asks is: if the Code Vs (code fives) only "convert" people who are willing (and don't kill when they feed), what does that do to the whole ethical dilemma of wiping them out?
(OK, the less fascinating question that isn't addressed is: Fine, they don't reflect in mirrors or on video or photographs --but why don't their clothes? But forget that for the purposes of making it a really neat crime show.)
This is very well written; well acted; exciting and a thought-provoking premise -- and it doesn't surprise me at all that Fox-TV couldn't replicate it (I speak as a Firefly fan.)
If you're into mysteries and enjoy the vampire legend then this film's for you. I refuse to give any spoilers and only say that the ending is one of the best I've seen. Character interplay is top notch and the viewer is intellectually challenged. None of the answers for this film are given on a silver platter. The viewer is led on a journey with Mike as he makes quick descisions while overwhelmed with the moral, ethical and religious implications.
This is a must see
This is excellent stuff: intelligent writing; wonderfully developed, imperfect characters; a well-executed, high-concept premise; sharp, twisty plot lines touching on contentious issues; fine cinematography and a moody score; all brought together by strong acting. I read recently that Joe Ahearn, the producer/director/writer didn't go beyond season 1 because he did virtually everything on the first 6 episodes, and it basically consumed his life. That dedication and singleness of purpose shows throughout Ultraviolet, which is beautifully realized and highly recommended.
This show keeps you in suspense, never mentions the word Vampires, but we all know they are. The actors are terrific in their rolls.
Some folks think that it's drawn out, and slow. But I say that's what makes it different. It unravels slowly
So if you are looking for a great British Horror TV series, this might be the one for you.