Why so much hype?

Just perfect...

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

Very well written & Suspenseful ! You will interested in the story & Ending!

British suspense mini-series are a kind of trade mark, always giftedly thought through, directed and performed using distinct and mostly character actors able to provide new angles even when the background or matter are not fully to your taste.Place of Execution is another good example of the above, with past and present thrillingly intertwined, when viewers can ponder on and over what really could happen and what answers could the present bring along... Actors like Juliet Stevenson or Lee Ingleby are catchy both appearance-wise and performance-wise, and all the cast, even in smaller roles, are just fit for them, providing realistic atmosphere. On the other hand, some pace and some logic of events left to be desired, but it may well be so that I am just "spoilt" by similar other British and Scandinavian series...Nevertheless, the work in question is definitely above average, but the length - 3.5 hours - requires you find a time for this. Preferably in succession.

"A Place of Execution" is heavily dependent on the character of Catherine Heathcote (Juliet Stevenson), a reporter investigating the disappearance of a teenage girl, and the role of detective George Bennett (Lee Inglesby and, later, Philip Jackson) in solving the case. The girl's step-father, Philip Hawkin (Greg Wise) is suspected of abusing her sexually and of subsequently killing her. It turns out that he is guilty of raping her and other youngsters but not of killing her. After a trial, he is hanged for the crime he did not commit. It's a nicely plotted story and might have made an better TV series if Juliet Stevenson were strong enough to carry her end. Unfortunately, I did not find her especially convincing. Greg Wise is splendid and both Inglesby as the younger Bennett and Philip Jackson as the older Bennett handle their roles admirably. The ending is a bit improbable. However, I suspect that there would be many fewer successful crime stories if improbabilities were disallowed.

I found this adaptation of Val McDermid's novel to be extremely atmospheric and well acted. The actors chosen to play the "older" versions were uncannily like their younger counterparts, especially George Bennett. In NZ this was broken into two episodes which is perhaps why I couldn't figure out/remember Catherine's early relationship with the Manor. In fact, my only quibble with the programme was that Catherine's phone call to, and the appearance of, her mother near the end were very contrived. Apart from that, I thought this was an excellent production. I have gone back to reread the book which,now that I know what happens, gives the game away in a subtle way in the prologue. The TV adaptation can't quite bring in the feeling of the book - the first part set at the time of the Moors Murder, & the isolation & bleakness of Scardale.I didn't find the time shifting confusing but in the book there are two separate books and Catherine is writing a book, not doing a TV documentary.