Wall Of Silence [DVD]

I enjoy dramas and have always found James Nesbit to be a decent sort of actor. Buying DVDs is becoming more difficult for me these days as there appear to be loads of old twaddle being produced and very few quality products. When I am not working or being badgered to do something - gardening, decorating, empty the bin etc etc - you get my drift, i like to enjoy the odd film and don't like to waste what time i can get to watch something. So, i try to buy sensibly and never buy new releases as i am also cost conscious. This tempers my viewing choices a great deal and so i can say with some degree of honesty that this is a good drama and worth getting. Not outstanding but it won't waste your time or money which - to me - is good enough.

Thought I'd fire off a quick review for this one since it was very good (and I like writing reviews). I first saw it when it was originally shown on ITV, at a time when I was living in a rough area and could relate to the plight of the people in that neighbourhood.Superb ITV TV drama set around the Jamie Robe case a number of years ago, excellent acting by James Nesbitt. I also enjoyed the performance of the antagonists, very convincing.In all I thought the movie itself nicely highlighted one of the fundamental problems with the crime troubles in these areas in that the good majority are very often too powerless and scared to stand up to the bad minority, therefore will suffer in silence. The difficulty for that good majority is that the bad minority work outside the law and socially acceptable behaviour, plus usually have the added advantage of a large number of mates they can call on at very short notice.Anyway I won't go on, just add to say good drama, excellent acting and one to get the blood up.

I watched this only a few hours ago and found it very well acted and directed, as would be expected from such an excellent team. It is also moving and disturbing at the same time. I recall several times as an unpopular, geeky, schoolkid being surrounded by groups of thugs bent on violence, and the feeling of utter helplessness as parents, teachers and police were unable to help or stop it. The movie reflects just those feelings, and the dilemma that good but frightened people have when deciding whether to come forward or not as witnesses. It is sad that these events are not reducing in number, despite all the 'zero tolerance' measures in place and the many attempts to educate violent youths, and so movies like this will probably have to go on being made. If so, I hope they are all as good as this one.

Based on real events, this gripping drama is both gripping and disturbing. When 17-year-old Jamie Robe is brutally murdered on a housing estate in South-East London the Police face a wall of silence. The story charts the battle of his father Stuart Robe and DI Tony Cottis as they fight to break down the wall of silence. The disturbing portrayal of gangs of teenage filth brutally murdering Jamie and the lowlife scum on the estate where they live is frightening because of its total accuracy to gangs of feral who inhabit every town nowadays. Even worse is the attitude of adults on the estate who seek to protect the killers. No spoilers but this is a gripping watch with some truly tear jerking moments which will have the viewer sad and angry in equal measure. James Nesbitt and Phil Davis give excellent performances as usual.

With the recent riots highlighting the horrifying level of gangland urban violence in England this dramatised account of the savage street murder of 17 year old Jamie Robe in 1997 and the strenuous efforts to bring his killers to justice must be mandatory viewing. Excellently written and directed, and supported by the usual impeccable performances one has come to expect from the likes of Nesbitt, Davis et alia, this film does not make for easy entertainment. If there is one slight criticism to be levelled, it might be that this unflinching re-enactment can perhaps err of the side of being overly issue-led. But with precisely such issues currently at the forefront of any decent citizen's mind, that can be no bad thing and certainly does not detract from the quality of this outstanding drama.Incidentally, for the benefit of the nine million of us in the UK who are deaf, and those non-mother-tongue English speakers, this DVD has English subtitles.

A very gritty drama based on true events. Well worth a watch. Phil Davis gives an excellent portrayal as the Detective leading the investigation and James Nesbitt is ... well, James Nesbitt whatever he is in !

Wall of Silence is well acted and faithfully reflects the dreadful animosity that still holds sway in Belfast and surrounding Catholic areas. Sadly some folk think it is honourable to continue feuding long after the events that began the problems have passed. Perhaps in another 100 years or so people will abandon the terrible waste of lives and happiness.

As far as low budget British crime films go, this is pretty good and worth a watch.