Die Ehre der Familie

Good if slightly superficial retelling of the story of an investigation into a so-called "honour killing".

Keeley Hawes, as always, is excellent and is very credible as DCI Caroline Goode, the officer in charge of finding out what happened to a missing Asian girl. Shockingly, she discovers that she is far from the first police officer to have been made aware that something was amiss in the victim's life, but she's the first to take things seriously. The investigation moves from missing person to murder, with suspicion rapidly descending on members of the girl's family who refuse to co-operate with the police, insisting that the girl simply went away while knowing that the truth is very different.

It might be argued that there's a lack of cinematic drama though frankly I find that a bonus; this is a recreation of a real murder investigation - why does it need to be turned into anything else ? The supporting cast comes across as very natural, again omitting any excessive drama, and the background story throws a frightening spotlight on the cultural attitudes of some minorities in our society.

This is a very decent mini-series and well worth an 8.

The story of the murder of Banaz Mahmood, a young Kurdish woman, murdered in a so called honour killing.

On the case is DI Caroline Goode, superbly portrayed by Keeley Hawes, there truly is nothing she cannot do, it's a sensitive performance.

It's interesting that the story is told through the eyes of the Detective, as opposed to through the eyes of the victim.

It's moving, a case that myself and my family remember well, one we all considered shocking and the behaviour of the men associated abhorrent.

It's a chilling story, highlighting cultural differences from a small fraction of people, views on women that seen so alien to most of us.

The only criticism, why on Earth didn't ITV put this out on one night, preferably a Sunday evening? Two parts, wasn't necessary.

Overall, I thought it was very good, 8/10.

A compelling story well told. The pace and character's frustrations appear realistic. The acting, especially from Rihanne Barretto, is strong and personal.

Recommended.

Story about a girl failed by her backward family, then failed by police & everyone else. I hope girls in these families & culture learn about the rights in the society and save their lives by leaving it

Great! I know that it has been criticised by various communities, but this is a story that should be told so that the lessons can be learnt. Maybe it could have been told from a different angle, or more could have been heard of some of the central characters, but the fact remains that, were it not for the courage and tenacity of Caroline Goode, there would have been no justice. Watch it!