Once again, Inspector Rebus (John Hannah) is embroiled in a thrilling plot with more who done it twists and turns than an Agatha Christie thriller. Set in Edinburgh, this series would hardly be used by the Edinburgh tourist board to promote the city as a sunny gateway to "Shining Scotland". It portrays the underside of Edinburgh in stereo-typical Scottish gritty, dankness. A strong supporting cast provide solid and convincing portrayals of characters on both sides of the law whom you would find anywhere either side of the Atlantic. Or for that matter, on the streets of Melbourne. The main strength of the Rebus series is in it's portrayal of the fact that the fine line that separates the law enforcers from the criminals is extremely grey indeed. Whilst not corrupt at heart, Rebus with his offsider, DI Jack Morton (Ewan Stewart) enforce their own code of justice on the criminals to keep the streets of Edinburgh at least respectable on the surface.
3 Reviews
The Hanging Garden
Prismark109 September 2020
John Hannah seemed to be too young and too handsome to play Rebus. Even Ian Rankin was unhappy with the casting.
This story however was a lot better than some of the later Ken Stott ones though.
Rebus is enjoying some happy times with his daughter who is going to university in Edinburgh. However happiness is short lived as his daughter is run over in an hit and run.
Rebus reckons that his daughter was deliberately targeted by rival gangsters involved in an Edinburgh turf war.
There is also a case of a trafficked prostitute from the former Yugoslavia and an interpreter who is a wanted war criminal.
The whole story is an attempt to bring a novel to the screen. By and large it was enjoyable. I thought the beginning was uncertain. There are several twists and blind alleys leading Rebus to wonder just who he could trust.
This story however was a lot better than some of the later Ken Stott ones though.
Rebus is enjoying some happy times with his daughter who is going to university in Edinburgh. However happiness is short lived as his daughter is run over in an hit and run.
Rebus reckons that his daughter was deliberately targeted by rival gangsters involved in an Edinburgh turf war.
There is also a case of a trafficked prostitute from the former Yugoslavia and an interpreter who is a wanted war criminal.
The whole story is an attempt to bring a novel to the screen. By and large it was enjoyable. I thought the beginning was uncertain. There are several twists and blind alleys leading Rebus to wonder just who he could trust.
The Hannah Rebus is the best,they should make more.
ib011f9545i4 May 2019
Most people seem to prefer the Ken Stott Rebus series,I agree it is good but I think the Hannah ones are better.
The Hannah episodes seem to be bigger budget and have a better cast. I love Stott in the Vice and everything else I have seen him in but I prefer Hannah's Rebus. Hannah's Rebus seems more troubled than the Stott Rebus.
I am from Edinburgh so can play spot the location while watching these episodes. Stott has long ago quit doing Rebus so Hannah what are you waiting for?
The Hannah episodes seem to be bigger budget and have a better cast. I love Stott in the Vice and everything else I have seen him in but I prefer Hannah's Rebus. Hannah's Rebus seems more troubled than the Stott Rebus.
I am from Edinburgh so can play spot the location while watching these episodes. Stott has long ago quit doing Rebus so Hannah what are you waiting for?
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