The Force (Channel 4 television series)
Encyclopedia
The Force was a series of three observational documentary programmes created for Channel 4
by Oxford Film and Television and Patrick Forbes, following the work of Hampshire Constabulary
. The first episode follows a murder investigation after a burnt body is found, the second follows the work of a dedicated rape unit, while the third follows a case of arson/murder, nine months after the incident. The series, which was first run in 2009, was well received by critics, who said the documentary was more interesting than they had anticipated.
to produce a three-part documentary covering policing in modern Britain. Filming for The Force, which began in 2006, was directed by Patrick Forbes, and was not finished until 2009. The programme was intended to form the climax of Channel 4's unofficial season covering social institutions in the United Kingdom, along with The Family
, The Benefit Business and The Hospital. Simon Dickson, the Channel 4 head of documentaries, said-
countryside. After initial confusion concerning forensic and DNA evidence, a numberplate
led to Ziaul Haque, who worked in the same hotel as a Polish woman who had been reported missing. Haque was questioned, but it was not until CCTV footage of him carrying a suitcase to his room with ease, before dragging it back down, was found that he was charged with murder. Haque then commit suicide in his cell.
The second episode of the series followed Crystal, a dedicated rape unit in Portsmouth
. Crystal was the first unit of its kind established outside of London. The third episode looked at a 2007 case of arson
and murder
, nine months after the incident, as it is investigated by Hampshire's Major Crime Unit. The series featured "unprecedented" access to the police, and was edited to include "24-style split-screens and portentous piano score", which Andrew Pettie, writing for The Daily Telegraph
, said served to "undermine the subject matter by highlighting the difference between real police work and the slick, seamless way it is usually portrayed on television". Despite the editing, the segments were date-stamped, so that viewers could understand the timeframe.
, said the programme "is compelling television, the kind that you watch with a queasy feeling, and all your fingers crossed", and added that it "has been carefully made, over a period of several years, and beautifully edited, and it tells you a great deal more about 21st-century Britain than anything in Ian Rankin." Both reviewers noted that The Force was more interesting than they had anticipated.
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
by Oxford Film and Television and Patrick Forbes, following the work of Hampshire Constabulary
Hampshire Constabulary
Hampshire Constabulary is the territorial police force responsible for policing Hampshire and the Isle of Wight in southern England.The force area includes the cities of Winchester, Southampton and Portsmouth...
. The first episode follows a murder investigation after a burnt body is found, the second follows the work of a dedicated rape unit, while the third follows a case of arson/murder, nine months after the incident. The series, which was first run in 2009, was well received by critics, who said the documentary was more interesting than they had anticipated.
Commissioning
Oxford Film and Television was commissioned by Channel 4Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
to produce a three-part documentary covering policing in modern Britain. Filming for The Force, which began in 2006, was directed by Patrick Forbes, and was not finished until 2009. The programme was intended to form the climax of Channel 4's unofficial season covering social institutions in the United Kingdom, along with The Family
The Family (2008 UK TV series)
The Family is a British fly-on-the-wall documentary series that began airing 17 September 2008 on Channel 4. It follows a chosen Family, consisting of parents and their children. The project aim was to gain a picture of everyday family life in the United Kingdom, as film-maker and director Jonathan...
, The Benefit Business and The Hospital. Simon Dickson, the Channel 4 head of documentaries, said-
There is no official season but when all these ideas starting with The Family came in we thought it was a satisfying idea to have a series of programmes which cover social institutions ... So we have the family, the police, the benefits system and the NHS from last autumn to the end of this year. These programmes really get to the heart of the subjects – in The Hospital we see how people working for the NHS really feel about their jobs and the way they do their jobs ... The same goes for The Force. They all speak in a very natural way rather than in that procedural way people in similar positions can speak on camera.
Format
The first episode followed a single murder over the course of the investigation. The body of a woman was found burnt in a suitcase in the HampshireHampshire
Hampshire is a county on the southern coast of England in the United Kingdom. The county town of Hampshire is Winchester, a historic cathedral city that was once the capital of England. Hampshire is notable for housing the original birthplaces of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force...
countryside. After initial confusion concerning forensic and DNA evidence, a numberplate
Vehicle registration plate
A vehicle registration plate is a metal or plastic plate attached to a motor vehicle or trailer for official identification purposes. The registration identifier is a numeric or alphanumeric code that uniquely identifies the vehicle within the issuing region's database...
led to Ziaul Haque, who worked in the same hotel as a Polish woman who had been reported missing. Haque was questioned, but it was not until CCTV footage of him carrying a suitcase to his room with ease, before dragging it back down, was found that he was charged with murder. Haque then commit suicide in his cell.
The second episode of the series followed Crystal, a dedicated rape unit in Portsmouth
Portsmouth
Portsmouth is the second largest city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire on the south coast of England. Portsmouth is notable for being the United Kingdom's only island city; it is located mainly on Portsea Island...
. Crystal was the first unit of its kind established outside of London. The third episode looked at a 2007 case of arson
Arson
Arson is the crime of intentionally or maliciously setting fire to structures or wildland areas. It may be distinguished from other causes such as spontaneous combustion and natural wildfires...
and murder
Murder
Murder is the unlawful killing, with malice aforethought, of another human being, and generally this state of mind distinguishes murder from other forms of unlawful homicide...
, nine months after the incident, as it is investigated by Hampshire's Major Crime Unit. The series featured "unprecedented" access to the police, and was edited to include "24-style split-screens and portentous piano score", which Andrew Pettie, writing for The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph is a daily morning broadsheet newspaper distributed throughout the United Kingdom and internationally. The newspaper was founded by Arthur B...
, said served to "undermine the subject matter by highlighting the difference between real police work and the slick, seamless way it is usually portrayed on television". Despite the editing, the segments were date-stamped, so that viewers could understand the timeframe.
Reception
The Force was well received by critics. Andrew Pettie, writing for The Daily Telegraph, described the first episode as following "a shockingly unpleasant – and therefore macabrely fascinating – murder investigation". Rachel Cooke, writing for the New StatesmanNew Statesman
New Statesman is a British centre-left political and cultural magazine published weekly in London. Founded in 1913, and connected with leading members of the Fabian Society, the magazine reached a circulation peak in the late 1960s....
, said the programme "is compelling television, the kind that you watch with a queasy feeling, and all your fingers crossed", and added that it "has been carefully made, over a period of several years, and beautifully edited, and it tells you a great deal more about 21st-century Britain than anything in Ian Rankin." Both reviewers noted that The Force was more interesting than they had anticipated.
External links
- The Force on Channel4.com