Traffik
1989
TRAFFIK is the 5 1/2 hour miniseries that provided the basis for Stephen Soderbergh's Oscar-winning film TRAFFIC, and its length provides the production with an opportunity to delve more deeply into the drug trade and addiction, making it a more complete film than its Hollywood incarnation. TRAFFIK tells three stories; one is .. Read more
| Starring | Bill Paterson, Lindsay Duncan, Julia Ormond |
|---|---|
| Director | Alastair Reid |
| Genres | Drama |
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Traffik
TRAFFIK is the 5 1/2 hour miniseries that provided the basis for Stephen Soderbergh's Oscar-winning film TRAFFIC, and its length provides the production with an opportunity to delve more deeply into the drug trade and addiction, making it a more complete film than its Hollywood incarnation. TRAFFIK tells three stories; one is an exceptional look at the poppy fields and heroin cartels of Pakistan, where the beauty of the poppy fields is juxtaposed with the squalor of the slums inhabited by the workers who harvest the crop. Another takes place in England and stars Julia Ormond as the drug addicted 16-year-old daughter of British cabinet minister Jack Lithgow (Bill Paterson) and depicts the depths of heroin addiction. The third stars Lindsay Duncan as the wife of a rich German drug smuggler who has just been busted, shattering the pretenses of her upper class life and driving her to continue her husband's trade. Finally, these three disparate stories are tied together by two German narcotics agents named Dieter and Ulli, who, along with a host of couriers, provide a very unnerving look at how heroin travels from Pakistan to Europe. Intricately detailed and emotionally devastating, TRAFFIK is a thoroughly engrossing miniseries that, at times, surpasses the excellence of its American cousin. This release contains additional material not shown in the PBS Masterpiece Theatre broadcast.
| Starring | Bill Paterson, Lindsay Duncan, Julia Ormond |
|---|---|
| Director | Alastair Reid |
| Studio | CINEMA CLUB |
| Run time | DVD: 5 hrs 50 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Drama |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Hearing-impaired | English |
| Released | DVD: not available Production year: 1989 |
| Format | DVD |
Traffik (2 discs) (1989)
Or you can rent each disc individually:
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Most helpful member's review
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17 out of 18 people found this review helpful
A magnificent piece of television
When Stephen Soderbergh made his Oscar-winning drama 'Traffic', he was praised for producing an intelligent portrayal of the drug industry. However Soderbergh's film doesn't compare with the channel 4 drama on which it's based.
The story strands are familiar but wider in scope and impact. Polititian Jack Lithgow(Bill Paterson) is in Pakistan investigating the opium fields where the drug trade commences. Lithgow is dedicated to stamping down on drugs and is oblivious as his daughter(Julia Ormond)slips further into addiction. A second tale is developed concerning two German cops who arrest a druglord prompting his wife(Lindsay Duncan)to take matters into her own hands.
The real loss to the remake is the strand of the story concerning a Pakistani Farmer(Jamal Shah)who begins working for a local Kingpin to help his family out of poverty. This character was replaced by Benicio Del Toro's Mexican cop in 'Traffic' but the original has a real sense of tragedy missing from the American version.
The five hours of drama offer plenty of room for character developement. The cast respond with note-perfect performances, particularly the leads Paterson, Shah and Duncan. It's an incredible piece of work which raises a number of provocative questions and never offers any easy solutions. Watch it and wonder why British television can't seem to produce anything on this scale anymore. -
Most recent members' review
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3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Traffik - BETTER THAN THE FILM....
I have to completely agree with the review by Philip Concannon this is SO much better than the Catheribe Zeta/Michael Douglass film. Bill Patterson is fantastic as the British Cabinet Minister whose anti drug campaign is brought painfully close to home with the discovery of his daughters heroin problem. A cracking drama from CH4 brilliant writing.
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Traffik
TRAFFIK is the 5 1/2 hour miniseries that provided the basis for Stephen Soderbergh's Oscar-winning film TRAFFIC, and its length provides the production with an opportunity to delve more deeply into the drug trade and addiction, making it a more complete film than its Hollywood incarnation. TRAFFIK ...
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