This BBC series from Jimmy McGovern—creator of the award-winning TV drama Cracker—compiles 10 standalone episodes focusing on the circumstances that drove various individuals to commit egregious crimes. In each, the criminal awaits court sentencing for his or her actions, while their stories are recalled in flashback. Although the concept is interesting, the scripts vary wildly, making for an inconsistent offering, overall. One of the better episodes here is a tale of revenge taken by a soldier against a corporal who drove a bullied battalion member to suicide—a ghastly act of vigilantism that results in the wrong man being killed. Another is a psychological thriller about a corrections officer who becomes burdened with guilt following the suicide of a teenage inmate. But other installments, including stories about a teacher with a secret transvestite double life, and a woman who burns down the factory where her son died in an industrial accident, stretch credibility. Some well-known actors add solid star power, including Juliet Stevenson, Andy Serkis, Sean Bean, and Christopher Eccleston, but this is ultimately a hit-and-miss series. Compiling six episodes from 2010 and four from 2012, extras include a behind-the-scenes featurette. A strong optional purchase. (P. Hall)
Accused, Series 1 & 2
Acorn, 4 discs, 620 min., not rated, DVD: $59.99 February 23, 2015
Accused, Series 1 & 2
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