Between the Lines

1992
8.1| 0h30m| en
Synopsis

Detective Superintendent Tony Clark is an ambitious member of the Complaints Investigation Bureau, an internal organisation that investigates claims of corruption inside the police in England and Wales. Along the way Clark overcomes strong influence from his superiors and problems in his private life, most notably the break-up of his marriage following an affair with WPC Jenny Dean.

AD
AD

Watch Free for 30 Days

All Prime Video Movies and TV Shows. Cancel anytime. Watch Now

Trailers & Clips

Reviews

Cathardincu Surprisingly incoherent and boring
FuzzyTagz If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.
Bluebell Alcock Ok... Let's be honest. It cannot be the best movie but is quite enjoyable. The movie has the potential to develop a great plot for future movies
Staci Frederick Blistering performances.
Parker Lewis Between the Lines launched Neil Pearson's career big time, and he became the hero that attempted to crack down on police corruption. Between the Lines was a huge hit and got under the skin of British police culture under the then Conservative government (this was a few years before Tony Blair and New Labour took power).Neil's character had a fondness for the women but that didn't stop him from his commitment to his work. Tom Georgeson deserves commendation for playing the Neil's sidekick.One scene was really gratuitous. Neil's and Tom's characters, along with others, were at a seminar hosted by a nerdy guy, and before the meeting started the nerdy guy politely and condescendingly asked everyone to put away their cigarettes. Then what happened? Everyone assertively put their cigarettes in front of them as an act of defiance to the nerdy guy and probably "political correctness". Oh dear. You can imagine the writer for that episode got some satisfaction that the audience were cheering for these cigarette- wielding heroes up against the nerd.
Thorsten-Krings Between the Lines is gripping police drama about the CBI investigating abuse of police powers and corruption within the force. The first remarkable thing is that BTL has a fairly unlikeable protagonist: womanizing career police man Tony Clarke who is really blackmailed into joining the CBI. He acts so irresponsibly in his personal life throughout the series that it is really difficult to sympathize with him (and he wears the worst fitting suits I have ever seen). On the other hand he is very emotional about his job and also really professional about it (unless his private life or hormones get in the way) in spite of the fact that he really hates his job. His team consists of bisexual Maureen Connell and veteran copper Harry Naylor whose wife develops a terminal illness in the second series. These three really complex characters really carry the show. The standard of writing is also fairly high. The stories are complex and satisfying which is not easy to achieve in a 45 minutes format. However, in the second season they become formulaic in terms of the CBI's impotence to deal with corruption in the force. You can't help wondering why they bother at all. Apart from the strong performances of the cast (with the possible exception of the rather one dimensional DCS Graves) the series also has some episodes that are visually very well made particularly the inteview situation. For 1992 the first season is also groundbreakling in its depiction of nudity as you see some full frontal shots of Clark's beautiful girlfriend and you see Jaye Griffith's bottom.
Dodger-9 Investigating corruption is a police matter. But what happens when the corruption comes from inside? When those entrusted with keeping law and order are those who break the vital code of conduct? Between the Lines is a powerful and controversial drama which tackled the touchy subject of the police investigating themselves. Created by John Wilsher and produced by Tony Garnett, the man behind the controversial 1970s series Law and Order, the drama is a tough and uncompromising analysis of that dilemma.Neil Pearson, perhaps best known for his role as womanising reporter Dave in Drop The Dead Donkey, took the lead role as Det Supt Tony Clark, ambitious head of Mulberry Street police station, who is asked to launch an investigation into his own men. Recruited by the Complaints Investigations Bureau, he soon finds himself in the uncomfortable and loathesome situation of infiltrating his own station.The first two series were superb, with great support from Tom Georgeson, Siobhan Redmond and the late Tony Doyle of Ballykissangel fame.However, by the time a third run was commissioned, Garnett went against his better judgement and obliged with a lacklustre end to the saga.It was a mistake he wouldn't repeat a few years later for his outstanding series This Life.
Melm I have watched every episode at least twice over the past 5 years (we got this series a little later than the UK of course). It's realistic cut throat, no holds barred depiction of UK police corruption was leading edge. Presented in the UK at a time when confidence in the UK police was at a record low, this show encapsulated the feelings of the day. It is very well acted, the principals gelling nicely right from the first episode. The third series is less tight and focussed, which explains why the main cast members refused to sign up for a 4th series. Neil Pearson (one of the sexiest men on the screen these days) is extremely convincing as Tony Clark. In fact, I can't think of any weak performances at all. great writing too. certainly a "10"