City of Vice (2008)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

City of Vice – a mini-series in five parts – is a historical drama which premiered on British television (Channel 4) in 2008.

 

The drama - set in London around 1750 - is based on a true story: the founding and first operations of London’s first police force, aka the Bow Street Runners.

 

Here is some basic information about this drama:

 

** Directed by Justin Hardy and Dan Reed

** Written by Clive Bradley and Peter Harness

** Musical score composed by Richard Blair-Oliphant

** Historical consultant: Hallie Rubenhold

** Released on DVD in 2008

** Run time: 5 x 48 minutes = 240 minutes

 

The cast includes the following:

 

** Ian McDiarmid as Henry Fielding (1707-1754) – a magistrate

** Iain Glen as John Fielding (1721-1780) – a magistrate

** Francis Magee as Saunders Welch – a runner

** Steve Speirs as William Pontlow – a runner

** Alice O’Connell as Mary Fielding – Henry’s wife

** Sam Spruell as Lord Newcastle – a politician

 

The force known as the Bow Street Runners was established by the Fielding brothers in 1749. It was active for almost one hundred years, until 1839.

 

This was London’s first police force. The Metropolitan Police of London was established by Robert Peel in 1829. When this happened, the Bow Street Runners were gradually phased out.

 

Henry Fielding was a published and popular author when he decided to do something about the crimes that were committed in the city of London.

 

His younger half-brother John Fielding, who was blind since the age of 19, continued as the leader of the force when Henry died in 1754.

 

In this drama, we follow the two brothers and some of their first operations as magistrates in charge of the Bow Street Runners.

 

Henry and John lived in a house in Bow Street. Hence the name of the force they established.

 

Each episode covers one case and one type of crime. What we see is not always pleasant, but very realistic. We are in the underbelly of London.

 

What do reviewers say about this historical movie?

 

On IMDb it has a rating of 76 per cent, which corresponds to 3.8 stars on Amazon.

 

On Amazon there are at the moment 66 ratings of this product, 63 with reviews.

 

The average rating is 3.1 stars which corresponds to a rating of 62 percent.

 

If you ask me, both these ratings are too low.

 

Why do I say this?

 

I have several reasons:

 

# 1. The script is well-written

# 2. The actors play their roles well

# 3. The drama is captivating, dramatic, and emotional

# 4.  It is based on a true story

 

I want to go all the way to the top with this product. I think it deserves a rating of five stars (100 percent).

 

REFERENCES

 

# 1. A book

 

The First English Detectives:

The Bow Street Runners and

the Policing of London, 1750-1840

by J. M. Beattie

(2012)

(2014)

 

# 2. A historical drama

 

A Harlot’s Progress – a historical drama set in London in the year 1731 about a harlot and a painter - is a somewhat similar product.

 

** Directed by Justin Hardy

** Screenplay written by Clive Bradley

** Musical score composed by Richard Blair-Oliphant

 

This historical drama was shown on British television (Channel 4) in 2006 and released on DVD in 2008.

 

*****

The First English Detectives:

The Bow Street Runners and the

Policing of London,

1750-1840

By J. M. Beattie

(Hardcover 2012)

(Paperback 2014)

 

*****