Beyond Fear is a British television crime dramatisation, first broadcast on 30 March 1997, the opening night of Channel 5,[1] that details the kidnap of estate agent Stephanie Slater by convicted murderer Michael Sams. The drama was adapted from Slater's acclaimed book of the same name by screenwriter Don Shaw, with Jenny Wilkes assigned to direct.[2] Beyond Fear starred Gina McKee as Slater and Sylvester McCoy as Sams, with Judith Anthony, Kitty McGeever, Sally Rogers and Iain Rogerson also appearing in key roles.
| Beyond Fear | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Crime drama |
| Written by | Don Shaw |
| Directed by | Jenny Wilkes |
| Starring | Gina McKee Sylvester McCoy Judith Anthony Kitty McGeever Sally Rogers Iain Rogerson Phil Croft James Grant Roger Ennals Davyd Harries |
| Composer | Robert Lockhart |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | Stephen Frears Linda James |
| Producer | Jill Green |
| Cinematography | Nina Kellgren |
| Editor | Budge Tremlett |
| Running time | 90 minutes |
| Production company | Red Rooster Film & Television Entertainment |
| Original release | |
| Network | Channel 5 |
| Release | 30 March 1997 |
Gerard Gilbert of The Independent gave praise to Beyond Fear, writing: "The undoubted jewel in Channel 5's rather wobbly opening-night crown. This is a fine, unsalacious reconstruction of Slater's brave cat-and-mouse encounter with her captor, and Gina McKee gives a convincing portrayal of a normal young woman in an intolerable situation. Former Doctor Who alumni Sylvester McCoy is gruffly menacing as Sams."[3] 1.7 million viewers tuned it for the drama's debut broadcast.[4] Notably, Beyond Fear has never been released on VHS or DVD, although has previously been repeated on True Entertainment as part of their Best of British season.
Cast
edit- Gina McKee as Stephanie Slater
- Sylvester McCoy as Michael Sams
- Judith Anthony as Betty Slater
- Kitty McGeever as Jo Fennimore
- Sally Rogers as DS Anne Woolley
- Iain Rogerson as DS Steve McBride
- Phil Croft as Derek Smith
- James Grant as Warren Slater
- Roger Ennals as P.C. Simpson
- Davyd Harries as Det. Supt. Morris
- Bob Mason as Det. Supt. Clarke
- Di Sherlock as Mrs. Dart
- Bruce Alexander as Interrogator #1
- Terence Beesley as Interrogator #2
References
edit- ^ Joekes, Susan (27 November 2017). "Jenny Wilkes obituary". the Guardian.
- ^ "Beyond Fear (TV Movie 1997)Gina McKee, Sylvester McCoy, Diane Adderley". Truetvmovies.
- ^ "TODAY'S TELEVISION". 29 March 1997.
- ^ "Channel 5-the early years".
External links
edit- Beyond Fear at IMDb