Before I started watching, I had not known that this was based on true events. Nor had I known that this was an expanded version of a film released a year or so before.
I was impressed. There was barely a scene that was surplus to requirements despite an hour having been added to the length of the original film. The story was told in a controlled, fascinating way. As we moved through the timeline of events, we learnt who was responsible for the gruesome murders and the story became a race to catch him.
On the way, we see the realities of life in post-1956 Hungary, particularly the political and judicial imperatives.
The period sets and locations were utterly convincing as were the clothes worn by the actors and actresses. I understand that the factory that featured so heavily in the series was a famous shoemaking enterprise. It looks totally authentic as a glimpse of life in what we would now consider a sweatshop.
I watched all four episodes in one day. That's something I rarely do and is a testament to the excellence of the cast, screenplay and story.
I was impressed. There was barely a scene that was surplus to requirements despite an hour having been added to the length of the original film. The story was told in a controlled, fascinating way. As we moved through the timeline of events, we learnt who was responsible for the gruesome murders and the story became a race to catch him.
On the way, we see the realities of life in post-1956 Hungary, particularly the political and judicial imperatives.
The period sets and locations were utterly convincing as were the clothes worn by the actors and actresses. I understand that the factory that featured so heavily in the series was a famous shoemaking enterprise. It looks totally authentic as a glimpse of life in what we would now consider a sweatshop.
I watched all four episodes in one day. That's something I rarely do and is a testament to the excellence of the cast, screenplay and story.
