Offence Details

Gritty police programmes are now so much a part of the TV landscape that it is hard to realise that a feature like The Offence once packed quite a punch. Adapted by former Z Cars scriptwriter John Hopkins from his own play, this sordid study of evil and human weakness lacks the intensity of the stage production and suffers from director Sidney Lumet's uncharacteristically shaky handling of local colour and atmosphere. Yet, Sean Connery as the brutal, world-weary copper and Ian Bannen as the lowlife he suspects of child molesting still give compelling performances, especially once the tables begin to turn.

Adaptation of a stage play (This Story of Yours) by John Hopkins (of Z Cars). Discreet as it is, the opening-out... read more on Time Out