Ultraviolet
1998
ULTRAVIOLET is a six-hour miniseries that takes place in a world where vampires have lived with humans for centuries and have gone mostly undetected. However, this changes when detective Michael Colefield (Jack Davenport) investigates the strange disappearance of his partner and discovers a troubling alternate reality where .. Read more
| Starring | Jack Davenport, Susannah Harker, Idris Elba, Philip Quast |
|---|---|
| Director | Joe Ahearne |
| Genres | Thriller |
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Most helpful members' reviews (3)
View all -
28 out of 28 people found this review helpful
Realistic Vampires and believable legends.
This British made Vampire series is unique in the fact that not once is the word Vampire used.
It has 6 episodes and is a cleverly told tale of an infection which turns people into Vampires or Code 5's are they are called in the show.
Policeman Michael Colefield (Jack Davenport) is recruited into the secretive CIB after his best friend and partner is infected. CIB personnel = Pearse (Philip Quast), Dr Angela March (Susannah Harker)Vaughan (Idris Elba).
A good cast with a novel plot twist.
Worth watching. It isn't scary or comic like other attempts in this genre. It is more realistic and believable.
Well told and well acted. Beware they are watching. -
13 out of 13 people found this review helpful
The British X-Files That Never Was
Ultraviolet (1998 UK Channel 4) is a sci-fi/fantasy miniseries set in late-90's London. After a couple of friends go missing, the hero is recruited by an underground agency, half millitary, half secret service, which takes a very serious view of investigating and battling a new kind of threat to the human race; a threat which is allergic to both garlic and ultraviolet light. Just don't mention the V-word, Buffy fans!
Shot superbly, almost entirely in outdoor locations, this miniseries is action-packed, convincingly realistic and expertly portrayed by actors who went on to be big names in the UK - and occasionally Hollywood (hence no second series!). No wobbly sets, no wooden acting, no plastic masks, no duff dialogue, this is a high quality show which proves that the UK can do serious grown-up sci-fi/fantasy without reducing itself to the family-friendly mass market. Plus religious controversy playing to Anglican/Catholic rivalry! Who could ask for more?
A hidden gem of British TV.
NOT suitable for younger children due to horror references and some romantic/relationship themes- this is 9pm viewing, not 6pm. No actual sex and little gore onscreen though. -
9 out of 9 people found this review helpful
British Blade
This British, made for TV mini-series has a lot going for it. While it shares a similar theme with big budget movies like Blade and Underworld it manages to stand up quite well on its own. With British actors, set in the UK and with more of a focus on story and tension than on amazing special effects every other second what has it got going for it?
Well for a start it manages a dark and moody atmosphere. And while the actors aren’t going to win any awards for their efforts, but that’s not because they’re bad, and chances are you’ve seen them in TV before and after this series.
And then there’s a story that’s got time to unfold without being rushed, which makes for a good series.
As its six episodes and 2 DVDs long it’s never going to manage the immediate appeal of some of the big budget movies. But as a well made British series it’s certainly worth watching. -
Most recent members' reviews (2)
View all -
9 out of 9 people found this review helpful
British Blade
This British, made for TV mini-series has a lot going for it. While it shares a similar theme with big budget movies like Blade and Underworld it manages to stand up quite well on its own. With British actors, set in the UK and with more of a focus on story and tension than on amazing special effects every other second what has it got going for it?
Well for a start it manages a dark and moody atmosphere. And while the actors aren’t going to win any awards for their efforts, but that’s not because they’re bad, and chances are you’ve seen them in TV before and after this series.
And then there’s a story that’s got time to unfold without being rushed, which makes for a good series.
As its six episodes and 2 DVDs long it’s never going to manage the immediate appeal of some of the big budget movies. But as a well made British series it’s certainly worth watching. -
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful
most enjoyable
missed a couple in the series ages ago and really enjoyed the catch up, vampire conspiricies, set out like current tv series spooks same kind of sets and acting etc.. but with vamps instead of spies.
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28 out of 28 people found this review helpful
Realistic Vampires and believable legends.
This British made Vampire series is unique in the fact that not once is the word Vampire used.
It has 6 episodes and is a cleverly told tale of an infection which turns people into Vampires or Code 5's are they are called in the show.
Policeman Michael Colefield (Jack Davenport) is recruited into the secretive CIB after his best friend and partner is infected. CIB personnel = Pearse (Philip Quast), Dr Angela March (Susannah Harker)Vaughan (Idris Elba).
A good cast with a novel plot twist.
Worth watching. It isn't scary or comic like other attempts in this genre. It is more realistic and believable.
Well told and well acted. Beware they are watching. -
13 out of 13 people found this review helpful
The British X-Files That Never Was
Ultraviolet (1998 UK Channel 4) is a sci-fi/fantasy miniseries set in late-90's London. After a couple of friends go missing, the hero is recruited by an underground agency, half millitary, half secret service, which takes a very serious view of investigating and battling a new kind of threat to the human race; a threat which is allergic to both garlic and ultraviolet light. Just don't mention the V-word, Buffy fans!
Shot superbly, almost entirely in outdoor locations, this miniseries is action-packed, convincingly realistic and expertly portrayed by actors who went on to be big names in the UK - and occasionally Hollywood (hence no second series!). No wobbly sets, no wooden acting, no plastic masks, no duff dialogue, this is a high quality show which proves that the UK can do serious grown-up sci-fi/fantasy without reducing itself to the family-friendly mass market. Plus religious controversy playing to Anglican/Catholic rivalry! Who could ask for more?
A hidden gem of British TV.
NOT suitable for younger children due to horror references and some romantic/relationship themes- this is 9pm viewing, not 6pm. No actual sex and little gore onscreen though. -
9 out of 9 people found this review helpful
British Blade
This British, made for TV mini-series has a lot going for it. While it shares a similar theme with big budget movies like Blade and Underworld it manages to stand up quite well on its own. With British actors, set in the UK and with more of a focus on story and tension than on amazing special effects every other second what has it got going for it?
Well for a start it manages a dark and moody atmosphere. And while the actors aren’t going to win any awards for their efforts, but that’s not because they’re bad, and chances are you’ve seen them in TV before and after this series.
And then there’s a story that’s got time to unfold without being rushed, which makes for a good series.
As its six episodes and 2 DVDs long it’s never going to manage the immediate appeal of some of the big budget movies. But as a well made British series it’s certainly worth watching. -
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful
Ultraviewing
When this was on TV I loved it and now that I have seen it again on DVD I still say it is great viewing. It's a shame that they stopped making it. Maybe if enough people watch the DVD or even buy it they might bring it back.
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3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Very good take on Vampire myth
If you like anything to do with vampires then you will love this. Even if you're not that keen on vampires Ultraviolet has an excellent storyline and is compelling veiwing.
BAsicly, this is a modern take on the vampire myth with some off the wall overtones. Without giving away to much it is refreshing and intiruiging to watch - I watched the full series back to back and did not lose interest at anytime.
if only they made a 2nd series.....
Thoroughly recomended veiwing. -
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Ultraviolet
'Ultraviolet', a series of only 6 episodes, was broadcast on UK's Channel 4 in 1998. It has not been repeated, nor have any further episodes been made. This is something of a mystery, as it is an extremely effective (and so far as this reviewer is aware, unique) blend of TV crime thriller and supernatural drama; 'Prime Suspect' meets 'The X Files'.
The premise in 'Ultraviolet' is that vampires exist, and are all around us. They have all the traditional attributes - they cannot stand daylight, they cast no shadow or reflection, they are immortal, and they prey on humankind. Ranged against them is a team of vampire hunters, members of a super-secret, chillingly powerful government agency, all of whom have suffered at the hands (or fangs) of the Undead.
Where 'Ultraviolet' differs in its treatment of a familiar theme is in making a basically absurd premise not just believable but compelling. This is done through the sheer quality of the writing and acting. Instead of Buffy-style histrionics and tongue-in-cheekiness, writer/director Joe Ahearne gives us vampires which are far more frightening for being no different to us (no fangs and scary makeup here) and even sympathetic; don't they have a right to defend themselves against humans who wage war on them simply because they exist? And instead of traditional vampire-fighting techniques, the main weapon is science (indeed, the word 'vampire' is never used; they are referred to simply and enigmatically as 'Code 5').
The fact that only six episodes were made is no doubt the main reason that 'Ultraviolet' is well on the way to acquiring cult status; but it's still a shame there aren't more, because they are all so very good. -
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful
most enjoyable
missed a couple in the series ages ago and really enjoyed the catch up, vampire conspiricies, set out like current tv series spooks same kind of sets and acting etc.. but with vamps instead of spies.
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
A little before its time
This was I feel a little before its time, if it had been released when Buffy was starting it would have made another series, shame channel 4's timing was off yet again.
This is a classic series, in the bugs, x files style, but has a daring edge, looking at subjects you would not expect from a sci-fi drama.
Worth watching I recommend it to anyone. -
British X-Files?
A good series that took a more realistic and less Hollywood view of vampires in our midst.
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thank god for dvd's
missed a couple in the series ages ago and really enjoyed the catch up, vampire conspiricies, set out like current tv series spooks same kind of sets and acting etc.. but with vamps instead of spies.
Buy from the LOVEFiLM shop
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Ultraviolet
ULTRAVIOLET is a six-hour miniseries that takes place in a world where vampires have lived with humans for centuries and have gone mostly undetected. However, this changes when detective Michael Colefield (Jack Davenport) investigates the strange disappearance of his partner and discovers a ...
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