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Underbelly: Tell Them Lucifer Was Here

Underbelly is back in business with a serious look at a true crime tale.

Crims. Cops. Controversy. Acting showcases. The sinister, sometimes glammed-up underworld of society. They’re all hallmarks of the Underbelly brand, and they’re all apparent in Underbelly: Tell Them Lucifer Was Here.

Based on the 1998 murder of two Victorian policemen, Gary Silk and Rod Miller, Underbelly takes another true crime tale steeped in our memory and brings it to life on the small screen. But this time there are subtle shifts in Screentime’s crime brand.

The telemovie is a stand-alone 2 hour tale. Caroline Craig’s narration is absent, save for an opening introduction (there is no new narrator). Montages with driving music are almost non-existent.

In 1998 two masked bandits undertook a series of hits on restaurants in Melbourne, leaving a dire message: “Tell Them Lucifer Was Here.” A police sting known as Operation Hamada was set up to get them. But in the middle of a stakeout, two policemen Gary Silk (Daniel Whyte) and Rod Miller (Paul O’Brien) were killed on a lonely street in Moorabbin.

Victoria Police, which had been reeling from the acquittal of 4 men accused of the 1988 Walsh Street Police Murders, was determined not to see history repeat itself. Det. Insp. Paul Sheridan (Brett Climo), assisted by Det. Sgt. Graham Collins (Jeremy Kewley), was given the full backing of the force (and under Premier Jeff Kennett even that of the State government). Sheridan set up the Lorimer Task Force with a team of detectives including Det. Sgt. Dean Thomas (Todd Lasance). “Remember Walsh Street,” they were told.

A loose description of the vehicle used in the shooting led the force to a working-class man (Greg Stone) and his family.

More suspects including Nik the Russian (Don Hany) are interrogated by police. The young Det. Thomas is ambitious in his desire to solve the mystery.

Sgt. Sheridan is much calmer in his chase, wanting iron-clad evidence that cannot come undone via a skilled defence lawyer. When there is doubt about resolution and all seems futile he insists, “We’re protecting the uniform. The thin blue line between order and chaos.”

But the Lorimer Task Force is unable to bring justice to the families of Silk & Miller, including the widowing Carmel Arthur (Jane Allsop). It drags on for months, even years, to the frustration of Police.

Character actor Stone is outstanding as the surly, smiling bogan who becomes the centre of attention. Together with Jones they echo the dark humour of characters played by Kat Stewart and Gyton Grantley in the first series.

They are contrasted by a measured performance from Climo. Lasance and Kewley are also excellent in supporting roles. Allsop adds the emotional touch to the story by Peter Gawler. A cameo from Age journalist John Silvester (who co-wrote the Leadbelly book) will amuse.

The telemovie is tautly directed by Shawn Seet.

Due to a pending legal case in New South Wales there will be some minor changes to the version that airs in that state.

While Lucifer has few links to the organised crime of the earlier series, it stands in its own right. It feels like the Producers have consciously opted for a more serious, sobering approach than episodes renowned for style above content.

Two more telemovies will follow. Fingers crossed they are as good as this one.

Underbelly: Tell Them Lucifer Was Here airs 8:30pm Monday on Nine.

NB: due to a pending legal case some comments may be edited.

42 Responses

  1. I couldn”t watch this at the normal time, so recorded it and thanks to channel 9 once again with its adds, I missed the ending. Thanks big time…….not…….

  2. Can someone tell me when it was showed on tv what they called the killer they censored out his name and called him something else I’m pretty sure? But I’ve got the copy on DVD and proper names are used.

  3. Sorry Petrie, I do not know which version of Amazing Grace was played during the excellent Underbelly Files: Lucifer telemovie, but I Do know that I’m p*ssed off with TV Week for not listing Any of the cast of ‘Lucifer’ in their Logie Awards voting form (therefore not allowing you to vote for them) and yet listing actors from other Underbelly Files telemovies! I assumed that the list of actors was supposed to represent All actors that had featured in lead or major roles in programmes broadcast throughout the year. Seems a bit random and odd – and somewhat frustrating – to me.

  4. First episode was boring and overly melodramatic. Undeserving of the “Underbelly” tag. Second episode looks more promising. Looks like this one is indirectly based on the first episode of “Gangs of Oz”.

  5. Is this available online or will it be re-played on Channel Nine at all?
    GEM isn’t available where I live so watching it on Sunday is not an option.
    I set the recorder ten minutes after the scheduled end time but still missed the ending.

  6. I missed the premier !!!! Omg is there any way i can find it online to watch it i have looked everywhere and apparently there is no repeats ?!?!?!?!?!
    Its my favourite show im about to go crazyyyyyy =(

  7. i really enjoyed last nights underbelly . one of the best telemovies ive seen (not just becouse todd lasance<3 was in it) preferred it more then the last season of underbelly. greg stone was an did a fantastic job as did brett climo

  8. I recorded it to fast forward the ads, but thanks to Nine overstuffing it with ads, missed the ending. I should’ve set the recorder to record for an extra 15 minutes.

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