Messiah - The Complete Collection [DVD] [2001]

MESSIAH - The complete collection, contains all five series of the critically acclaimed crime drama about serial killings and murder investigations. The first four Messiah's star Ken Stott in the lead roll alongside some other notable faces as DCI Redfern Metcalfe. He plays a brilliant role and the supporting and surrounding cast do also. In Messiah 5, Marc Warren is excellent as the deeply troubled Jospeh Walker, who heads the investigation team in that series.So, now on to the packaging of this box set. It is pretty nice, the cardboard is ferm and has a neat slot to its side where you can slip the three DVD's in. The first DVD contains Messiah's 1 and 2. the second contains 3 and 4. The final DVD includes the last series of Messiah released thus far, series 5. It looks really nice on your shelf. I have put it high up on mine, alongside the fantastic Completely Wired Wire in the Blood set (Check that series out if you haven't already), near Prime Suspect Complete Collection and Blue Murder, those two are also great crime drama's and are also british like Messiah. The front cover of the Messiah box set looks really nice, with no fancy colours, looking simple and effective with the red sticking out from the black background. Also, i noticed that the red on the front of the boxset has a slight feel to it, i wouldn't call it completely embossing, but it does have a texture - like one that makes your hand stick to it a bit, with soem friction. So, the packaging of the box is great and it has awesome information about the contents of the DVD's what they are about, the extras, the cast, etc. 1 of the Messiah DVD's are rated 18, so you might not want to show it to little kids, but it didn't affect me and i'm not knocking on yet! Just to let you guys know, the lowest age rating for the Messiah DVD's is 15. What i tend to find is 12's can be underdone slightly, and by the same token 18's can sometimes be over the top, so 15, usually is just nice.So, i guess i will half to review the series i guess. Well, Messiah really needs no introduction. It is an excellent crime drama, way up there with Wire in the Blood and Waking the Dead. It does not have loads like some of the other boxsets, but some say it is quality not quantity. I will go through them one by one:Messiah 1: This is the best. The original. This has to been everyones favorite. In these reviews i will not give no spoilers away (Killers, etc.) Basic plot is a killer with a fascination for christ and historical killings. It was the best, I rated it outstanding, which is the highest rating i can give any TV series. Brillant television!Messiah 2: This was the worst. Even saying that, it was rated Good. Good means Good, it was the weakest compared to the rest but Messiah series 2 was still very enjoyable. This one was the one about different types of killings and where the investigating team and their families are put at risk. It was pretty enjoyable. Not the best, I mean i wouldn't watch it again, and compared with the first series I was dissapointed, but i still like it. A fine nights viewing.Messiah 3: I rated this Very Good, so better that series 2. And it was, still not being as good as the first though, in fact I don't think any crime drama episode/movie will come remotely close to the heights Messiah 1 reached. But the third was really enjoyable. It was a bit more implausible than the first two, being more unlikely to happen in real life for those of you that don't know. The basic plot is about a prsion riot and wounded guards and prisoner are recovering while a serieal killer is stalking the hospital and picking off the wounded - the killer being someone close to the victims, or even soemone frequently seen. It is great crime drama, better than 2, but not as good as 1.Messiah 4: This one is one of the best. I gave it excellent, it had a real in depth storyline and you were always switching opinions on who the killer might be. I were really impressed with the acting in this one also, (the acting in all of them was excellent) but the acting in Messiah 4 was exceptional. The storyline is about a series of bizarre killings where the victime have "Save Me" written close to them, in their own blood. I found it very enjoyable and engrossed you right from the start. It is the longest, being presented in three parts, but it was great. Almost outstanding, but it was excellent, top crime drama - watch it!Messiah 5: This was probably the second best, alongside Messiah 4, at the rating of excellent. The story was really interesting and it intrigued you. It is about a series of killings where the killer leaves strange symbols printed on a layer of sand nearv the victims death place. I really enjoyed it, and I was expecting to enjoy it after the loss of all the cast from the first four series of Messiah. I thought the acting in this one was also great, expecially the acting produced from Mark Warren. This was excellent, one of the best crime drama's i have watched. You watch it and you will not be dissapointed, trust me!Right, so now i have reviewed in some detail the plots and my overall thoughts about the five series of Messiah. Each series is presented in two parts besides Messiah 4 which includes three parts at 55 minutes each. It really is great crime drama, with no ratings below good. My ratings are listed below:Poor, Below Average, Average, Above Average, Good, Very Good, Excellent, Outstanding.I liked them all, some more than others. Listed in the order of best to worst for me they go: 1, 5, 4, 3, 2. Both 5 and 4 got the same rating as were both brilliant, with 1 being the best crime drama plot ever in my opinion. I guessed the killers in Messiah's 1, 2 and 3. There was no way you could have guessed the bad guy in Messiah 5, trust me. You should trust me with my ratings, i review properly. I do not review unheartidly, I am true to my own opinion and I can be critical. These Messiah's are great viewing and for 17 pound it was a bargain!Buy it now and dig in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I loved this series when it was first broadcast on TV. They are not for the squeamish but if you love a brilliantly written, unusual detective story then this series is for you. Each series murders have a theme but to say what it is will ruin the program. You'll be perched on the edge of your seat until the final moments when all is revealed. Ken Stott stars in the first four mysteries, Marc Warren in the fifth. Five absolutely terrifying, nail biting storied

Not for the squeamish and a strong stomach is required, but this drama series is compulsive viewing.Ken Stott is brilliant and he is aided and abetted by a quality cast. Not too overly keen on Messiah V as it has an entirely new cast and different feel altogether - but that's just my opinion.I would still buy this, and it is terrific value at under £20. Highly recommended

I have watched series 1-4 . The term 'Messiah' emplies to me a story based on crimes related to Christianity. Well , that is the deal in series 1 and 4 , but surprisingly not in 2 and 3 which presented horrfic kills and nice plots , but not religion related stuff. In general the plot , story and acting were all great. In short:Messiah 1: A nice plot, but the end could have been done in a better wayMessiah 2: A very good episode with an excellent twist (imo)Messiah 3: A very good episodeMessiah 4: I enjoyed this the most ( plot and story wise) , yet the end was strange and not very convincing.I am new to the crime and thrilling business . I have watched BBC Sherlock S1 and S2 and now Messiah. Well, Sherlock is just better and much more thrilling and brilliant , yet it has unrealistic things like "a private detective consultant" , extreamley complicated cases and the super genius who catches the smallest details. Whereas, Messiah is very realistic ; you got an investigation team who examines the scene ,does forensic analysis , consult professionals when needed , but its main problem is missing the thrilling factor that Sherlock presents. I recommend both shows. I will give Messiah a 4 star and Sherlock an almost 5 stars rating.

only started the first episode but he seems happy with the dvd so far. for a man who finds it hard to concentrate on present tv crime series this one is working wonders.

Missed this series first time round.It is amazing!An array of fantastic actors, coupled with brilliant writing. Each episode keeps you gripped until the end.Thank you Amazon!

As yet I have not completed the whole series 1-5. What I have seen has left me speechless. The plots are varied and twist before your eyes. Even the drama, generally dull parts,keep you in suspense as you try to second guess the plot - which I must add is a waste of time. Hands off to the cast. Each one brings depth to their character and adds to the complication and confusion of victim vs perpetrator. If you are a fan of Wire in the Blood, Touching Evil and Prime Suspect, this series is a definite must in your collection. The murder scenes are masterfully tantalizing without being toooooo graphic (wicked smile). The suspects are many? It keeps you guessing to the very end, and invariably you are wrong! Murder Most Foul!! Enjoy. P.S. Congratulations to the author of the book, what an incredible mind you have>

ken stott plays a good detective, but is the actress playing his wife realy deaf because if she is she and ken realy put something into sign langage