Blue Murder (Mini-Series)

Aroview: Hard-nosed, confrontational broadside on the NSW police force, based on the illegal undertakings of a corrupt detective and a career criminal during the heady 1980s.

Hinged on a classic triangle – that of Needy Smith (Martin), one of several crims in the pocket of Roxburgh’s crooked cop, as well as testimony from a straight-edged lawman (Bastoni) determined to speak out – this makes few concessions in its depiction of underworld violence, and gains brute dramatic force through several ferocious performances (Sweet in particular, terrifying). If somewhat dated production wise, it well exceeds its telemovie trappings, and remains another exceptional example of Australia’s knack at turning the camera on their own convicts and societal scabs.

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