The Limehouse Golem (2016)
I watched this film on the BBC, and it is also available on Amazon.
***No spoilers***
Adapted from the novel by Peter Ackroyd, this film is set in Victorian London, in the 1880s. Think of those films about the real ‘Jack The Ripper’ murders you might have seen, and you get the idea. However, Ackroyd is a distinguished and wonderful writer, and he brings that era to the screen in fascinating detail, with convincing performances from a dedicated cast.
With a series of brutal and unconnected murders causing uproar in one of London’s poorest districts, Inspector Kildare (Bill Nighy) is brought in to take over the case. He is not expected to be able to cope, and is merely a scapegoat for Scotland Yard to blame when he fails. He soon discovers a connection with a woman on trial for poisoning her husband, (Olivia Cooke) and with the assistance of Constable Flood (Daniel Mays) he starts to look closely at all the suspects for the heinous crimes.
Where this story scored for me was in the introduction of real people into the fictional killings. The famous Music Hall entertainer, Dan Leno, once the highest paid person in Britain, features heavily throughout. He is played by Douglas Booth, with real flair. Other suspects include Karl Marx, the writer of Das Kapital and The Communist Manifesto. He was actually living in London at the time, and is woven into the story.
The tale unfolds in a series of flashbacks and ‘fantasy’ sequences, as we see inside the mind of the troubled detective. We also follow the life of the poisoning suspect, Lizzie Cree, and her unfaithful husband, John. Most of the film is set in a Music Hall, where many of the characters work. This allows for a very interesting insight into the entertainment of the time, along with the way that social classes mixed in such establishments. With no spoilers, I cannot go into detail. But this film had me gripped, and wanting to know the identity of the murderer.
That is revealed right at the end, in a wonderful twist that I didn’t suspect. And I love twists!
I should add a warning that the murders are shown in some graphic detail, with lots of blood. There are some sexual references, and minor nudity, but nothing unsuitable for TV viewing in the 21st century. If you like your murder mysteries set in the past, and enjoy films with an old-fashioned feel, then this is one for you.
It has had mixed reviews, but I would suggest ignoring those. This film brings a cast of mostly British character actors all at the top of their game. In addition to those mentioned, there is the reliable Eddie Marsan as the theatre manager, and Henry Goodman as Karl Marx.
I really enjoyed the atmosphere, and the performances.
This trailer gives a good feel of the film.
This sounds really good!
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I was surprised how much I enjoyed it, Abbi. And it is still on i-player, and free on Amazon Prime. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Ah, this one looks REALLY good. I don’t have Prime but have Netflix! Thanks Pete!
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I only subscribed to Prime recently, but I actually watched the film shown on the BBC. I mainly got Prime so I can watch films on my tablet when I go to bed. Something new I plan to do in 2020! 🙂
Haven’t done that yet though. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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I have this in my queue on Amazon Prime but I haven’t gotten to it yet.
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It’s worth a watch, Kim. I really liked it. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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I love a film with great twists!⭐😘 Great review, Pete.❤
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Thanks, Dani. This film has one great twist, and they leave it right until the last moment. 🙂 x
Best wishes, Pete.. xx
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Definitely will watch soon.💜 xoxo!😘
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Whithouse Golem. Okay! I’m in. I love Bill Nighy.
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On Amazon Films, and historically captivating.
And it’s Limehouse Golem, unless you were making a joke about Mr Trump! 🙂
(Limehouse in a riverside district in East London)
Best wishes, Pete. x
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Oops. Freudian slip, there. And Okay, I’ll think of limes instead of colors. Cheers, Cindy
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I noticed it was on but didn’t watch but your review has made me think I might quite like it (I can close my eyes during the murder scenes!).
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Available free on i-player, Mary.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000crt7/the-limehouse-golem
The murders are not too terrible. It was on BBC1 after all. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Cool, thanks for the review, Warmest regards, Theo
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Thanks, Theo. I hope you can watch it in America.
Best wishes, Pete.
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“But this film had me gripped, and wanting to know the identity of the murderer.” I’ll bet the other victims could identify the murderer once they’d been gripped by him!
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Film review puns now! 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Unfortunately, this one passed me by, in the welter of Christmas viewing, but I will have to try & catch it when I can, one way or another; there’s a good chance that it’ll be repeated before too long, and I think I can afford to hold on until then 😉 Cheers, Jon.
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https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000crt7/the-limehouse-golem
Still on i-player at the moment, Jon.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thanks Pete! Cheers, Jon.
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Yes we really enjoyed the film and I did read the novel a while back, Peter Ackroyd is my favourite writer abou London, he always creates atmosphere.
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Thanks, Janet. I have always enjoyed Ackroyd’s writing too.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Another most interesting film I have never heard of, Pete. I checked it on Amazon Prime and it’s on our watchlist now. Thanks a lot!
Best wishes from the sunny coast. A big pat for Ollie. x
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Thanks, Dina. Many scenes are set in the British Museum library, so it will be appropriate for you two. 🙂
Love from Beetley, Pete and Ollie. X
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I like the look of this, and it’s on Netflix and Prime so putting it on my watchlist. Great cast.
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I was going to watch it on Amazon on my tablet, (I am on Prime now) then it popped up on BBC TV!
Not often I get caught out by a twist. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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You hit on another one I never heard of, Pete. You’re keeping me educated in the movie field.
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I only knew about it because it was shown on TV, GP.
Worth watching though. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Sounds like one to watch on these early dark nights 🙂
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Exactly right. I watched it late afternoon yesterday. 🙂
Cheers, Pete.
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Sounds like a good movie for Sue and I to spend a day watching…..we do that at times….thanx for the heads up….chuq
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I really liked the historical aspect, chuq.
And the twist!
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thanks for this Pete. I might try and “watch it.” Blind you see! Lol. It intrigues me though, by the way you have described it. Many thanks.
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I won’t profess to know how it might work with audio description, but I am sure you have great imagination, so will ‘see it’ in your mind. I hope you enjoy it.
Happy New Year to you, and my thanks for being so inspirational. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thanks Pete. I can usually kind of pick things up though I get a bit lost sometimes. I am always on the lookout (ha ha ) for good films.
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Well I have at least 114 reviewed on here, Lorraine! Mostly good ones, but a few duds. 🙂
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Lol. Yes I realused that and will look at your Reviews more now. Now that the “break” is over with lol. I am not a Christmas person and am just about beginning to feel human again! Time for a good film!
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