A Line in the Sand (2004 TV Movie)
6/10
Neat, plausible, well-paced
12 January 2003
This is a neat thriller which undeservedly seems to have been rather overlooked by the general public. Based on the novel of the same name by Gerald Seymour, who is a specialist in thrillers with a true background, such as the Gulf War, Israeli incursions into the Beka'a Valley, or a dead Englishwoman found in a mass grave in Croatia, among other settings, A Line in The Sand is basically very characteriological rather than high-strung action, and as such ends up being all the more plausible.

Gary Hughes is a businessman who frequently travels to Iran selling his products; but he is coerced into giving information to the British Secret Service. However his cover is blown and the Secret Service force him into hiding and give him a change of identity. But the Iranians have sent out a hitman ....

Good interpretation here by Ross Kemp, no overacting but well held in line, as well as by Saskia Reeves and others who are not even credited here or on the Meridian TV web site.

Two episodes of a little over an hour each, shown here in one near 140 minute programme. Not at all too long as the story line pace is well maintained as well as keeping steadily on a credible level. Even John Le Carré would have been pleased with this story - and you cannot do much better than that.

* Violence is minimal so do not understand the `R' rating.
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