Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #8569 in DVD
• Released on: 2001-06-26
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, DVD-Video, Letterboxed, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 360 minutes

Amazon.com
In a new twist on an old theme, the coolly stylish British miniseries Ultraviolet brings vampires into the 21st century, though the word vampire is never uttered in this mix of The X-Files and somber British TV mysteries like Touching Evil. Jack Davenport is a police detective who stumbles into an elite government agency when his partner and best friend suddenly becomes a nocturnal thug and bites him on the neck. Davenport reluctantly cuts off his old friends and lovers to join the team, which includes Idris Elba as a merciless ex-soldier and Susannah Harker as a medical researcher, and investigate a web of counterfeiting operations, banking scams, and experimental labs featuring human guinea pigs. "What they're researching is pollution: contamination of their blood supply," offers team leader and former priest Philip Quast, but the question remains: are they soulless monsters out to conquer mankind, or a persecuted minority who just want to live in peace with the humans?

Writer-director-creator Joe Ahearne brings all the traditional vampire tropes up to date; not only do they lack reflections in a mirror, but they don't show up on video and their voices don't carry over phone lines or record on audio tapes ("which makes surveillance a bitch"). Sunlight burns like an acid, and when they die they go up like a flare, leaving a pile of ash in their wake. But it's the sharp character writing, moral quandaries, and ingenious twists of this smart, stylish conspiracy thriller that make this series gripping down to the final episode.

The two-disc DVD set features an audio interview with Ahearne along with episode synopses and character notes. --Sean Axmaker

From the Back Cover
DISC ONE
Now, amidst the growing threat of viral epidemic and the possibility of worldwide environmental catastrophe, humanity has an unprecedented ability to destroy itself. In order to prevent further contamination or loss of their food supply, the vampires have organized and are pouring funds into all manner of human scientific research. Through they profess to be persecuted and misunderstood minority, eager to achieve a symbiotic relationship with mankind, many of their experiments are motivated by darker desires.
Episode 1 - Habeas Corpus
Michael and Jack are best friends and colleagues in a homicide squad. But when Jack disappears on the ever of his wedding, and two new cops start asking questions, Michael is drawn into the realization that Jack is not what he seems.
Episode 2 - In Nomine Patris
Michael is now a member of CIB, but is struggling to accept the truths around him and his new role as an executioner. But when a financial trail leads to a vampire laboratory with human guinea pigs, the lines between good and evil become clearer.
Episode 3 - Sub Judice
The victim of an attempted rape is saved by a vampire. But why was she being protected? And by whom?

DISC TWO
Jack Davenport stars as former police detective-sergeant Michael Colefield who's recruited into CIB - an elite government force that has been formed to combat the treat. Joined by a squad of covert government investigators led by ex-soldier Vaughan Rice (Idris Elba), former priest Pearse Harman (Philip Quast) and scientist Dr. Angela March (Susanna Harker), their mission is to seek out the enemy. But when eternal life is offered, no one is beyond temptation.
Episode 4 - Mea Culpa
A twelve year-old boy is involved in a violent attack on a teacher. But the peculiarities of the case could mean that vampires are involved...Michael is convinced that it is just schoolboy violence. But the truth is stranger and more terrifying than anyone suspects.
Episode 5 - Terra Incognita
A plane from Brazil brings a bleeding refugee and a number of vampire caskets. How are they connected? And why is John Doe (Corin Redgrave) risking the journey?
Episode 6 - Persona Non Grata
Michael is compromised by a threat to Kirstie, and his actions unwittingly jeopardize humankind. As the last pieces of the puzzle fall into place, CIB is caught in a race against time - and total evil.

Customer Reviews

A Smart Take on an Age Old War
A former friend of mine who is British turned me on to this as soon as it became available in a Region 1 version and I was hooked immediately. From the underlying sexual tension between our mysterious former army soldier (Idris Elba) who still walks the walk and Angela (Susannah Harker), the doctor with the heart as hard as her scalpel, and finding the reasons why everyone plays their part in this smart, updated (though slightly dated, now) techno-battle with the Vampiric race is a fascinating race through the streets and lives of modern-day London. It's all up in the air, too, isn't it? I mean, the Vamps are working on something that would mean peace with Humans forevermore. Would we - could we - allow that? I was desperately disappointed it was only a mini-series and didn't have a follow-up, but it goes out on a powerful enough note as it is to carry it. Just greedy enough to want more from this wonderful cast and some really superior writing with intricate, advanced ideas on an age-old... myth. Worth the investment. Had it in VHS and upgraded to DVD to keep it current.

LOVED IT
I wish this show was still in production. Well made, visually stunning and a enjoyable story lines.

Mistery
I like to watch Jack Davenport, so this performance of his is very good, his character gets you into the story, I loved his confidence. The theme is original very diferent from what I've seen about vampires, I really loved it because not everything is about blood and the mistery of the plot keeps you in suspense. Very good to spend some time watching it. I would love if there would had been more episodes.