Blue Murder – 2 discs

"The original 'The Shield'" -- Edwin Samuelson, dvdmaniacs.net

In 1995, Blue Murder - the most controversial series ever produced for Australian television - exploded into TV screens down under with such incendiary force that it was banned from being broadcast in the state where the events took place, New South Whales, for six years. This was due to ongoing legal proceedings involving several key figures depicted in the photoplay. Often referred to as an Aussie Godfather, it was, more accurately, "Goodfellas Down Under" with the goodfellas being cops.

The attempted, bloody murder of a "blue" (insider speak for "cop") is the dramatic lynchpin of this epic police corruption that follows the booze-riddled, unlikely partnership of decorated copper Roger "The Dodger" Rogerson (Richard Roxburgh) and career criminal Arthur "Neddy" Smith (Tony Martin) after Roger gives Neddy "the green light" to rob, steal and beat his way through Sydney's underworld in the '80s.

Directed with gritty realism (many scenes were shot on the actual locations) by one of Australia's most celebrated directors, Mike Jenkins, Blue Murder is a landmark Australian drama that has not been bettered on television or on the big screen.

Impeccably researched and written by Ian David, the central performance by Richard Roxburgh, (Moulin Rouge) is a revelation and won the actor Australia's highest critical accolades. Tony Martin, mesmerizing as Arthur Smith, brings a likable edge to a truly despicable character and actors Bill Hunter, as top cop Black Angus McDonald (Rogerson's protector) and Steve Bastoni (as straight "blue" Michael Drury) are outstanding.


-- Mark Savage, Filmmaker (Defenseless, S.N.A.K.)