THE BEAST MUST DIE

UK, 2021, 6X 45, Colour.

Cush Jumbo, Billy Howlel, Jared Harris, Maeve Dermody, Mia Tomlinson, Geraldine James, Barney Sayburn, Nathaniel Parker, Douggie McMeekin.

Directed by Dome Karukoski.

The Beast Must Die was an acclaimed novel of the 1930s by British writer, Nicholas Blake, which was the pen-name for poet Cecil Day Lewis. It was filmed in 1952 in Argentina, then in 1969 by Claude Chabrol. Here is the 21^st-century version, this time changing the central character from male to female. The screenplay, a television series in six parts, follows the direction of the novel.

The series is a star vehicle for Cush Jumbo, prominent on stage, film and television (including seven episodes as an assistant to Vera). It is also a good solid vehicle for Billy Howle and offering a star turn for Jared Harris. There is very strong supporting cast led by Geraldine James as the bitter maiden aunt, Barney Sauburn as a chubby put-upon son, Nathaniel Parker as a therapist.

At the centre of the action is a hit run accident, the young son of Frances (Cush Jumbo), widow, angry at the minimal police investigation, confronting the new officer on his first day, Nigel (a character in several of Blake’s novels) who has his own traumas and is participating in therapy.

Frances leaves everything, finds accommodation, shaves her head, starts an investigation, capitalising on clues, tracking down a young woman seen at the scene, ingratiating herself with the young woman, pretending to be researching a novel, leading to a family, the arrogant patriarch, George (Jared Harris), his belittling of his son, Phil, his put upon wife, Violet (Maeve Dermody) and relying on his older sister, arrogantly snobbish, often bitter towards the other members of the family, (Geraldine James).

The film is a strong portrait of revenge on the part of Frances. It is also a strong portrait of Nigel and his personal struggles and his desire for integrity and the police investigation.

With Frances ingratiating herself into the family, planning to get revenge by killing George, she also does some good for other members of the family while alienating the aunt.

The plot seems to be undone when George discovers the truth about Frances – but there is a very interesting twist at the end when she actually achieves her plan against George.

1. The original novel, Nicholas Blake (Cecil Day Lewis), the 1930s? Argentinian and French versions? Updated? The central character from male to female?
2. The title? The killer as a beast, hit run, conscience-less, cover-up?
3. The initial situation, Frances, love for Martie, her husband, sailor, helping others, his death? Her sadness, the outing with her son, his going off, the hit run?
4. Frances, a character, the impact of the hit run, the police investigation, no conclusions, inadequately handled, indications of pressure, political, personal? Her coming to the police station, the encounter with Nigel, her absolute rage?
5. Nigel, age, his experiencing the trauma, the memorial, Liz, the connection with her, the various encounters? His being in therapy, critical of the therapist, the patience of the therapist? The discussions, his trauma, desperation? His role with the police, the role of his work keeping him steady? The meeting with the staff, the young woman, with Vincent? The encounter with Frances, his reaction?
6. Frances, her decision, anger, her inheriting her husband’s money, finding accommodation, new clothes, shaving her hair, her pursuit of the investigation, the questions, the man giving her the information, the site, the photo of the young women, going to the club, finding Lena, bonding with her, the explanation of writing the novel, getting to the house, the encounter with George, with Joy, with Violet, with Phil? Her interactions with each? Phil and the treatment by his father, Frances, teacher, her sympathy? Out with Lena, Lena drinking, the bond between them? Going to the house, the snobbery towards Frances? The possibility of living in for the summer? Her work with Phil, sailing? The drive with George, his speeding? Taking him sailing, the plot, his unmasking her? Ruining her plan, going into the sea, her being recovered, hospital, the discussions with Nigel, going to the house for her clothes, the family reaction? George’s death, the explanation of her plot, success in vengeance? And her seeing her son so often?
7. Nigel, Vincent as his assistant, adequate and inadequate? The young woman, getting her to do the research? His detection, the issue of Nick the gardener and his crime, the arrest, interrogation? Suspicions of George? The encounters with Liz, therapy? The therapist giving up, his own personal issues? Pursuing the case, to the house, George’s death, the final discussion with Frances?
8. Lena, her life, relationship with George, the affair? Violet and her life? Despised by Joy? In the house, reluctance? The tension with George, his pursuit of her? The bond with Frances, Frances using her?
9. George, his arrogance, marriage to Violet, her health, mental situation, the affair with Lena? Golf, his connections, business and plans? The hit run, hiding the car, the phone calls, the cover-up? In the house, treatment of Phil, the sport, Frances talking with Phil? Going with Frances, the drive, going sailing, his knowledge of the truth? His return, his death?
10. Joy, the flashbacks to her care for George, always stepping in to help him, her attitude towards Violet, despising Lena, snobbery towards Frances? The effect of George’s death? Violet and her self-assertion, ousting Joy?
11. Phil, going to the police, confessing that he had killed his father, the talk of poisons, the research for Frances?
12. The irony of George being poisoned, Frances and her plot, the staging, her revenge?