Mortal Causes

This is the first episode of Rebus that I've seen: I missed the earlier ones which were shown in 2000/2001. This episode was made at the same time and was scheduled to be shown in September 2001... then 9/11 intervened and the episode was postponed and was only shown in the UK in November 2004.

"Mortal Causes" is a very good and gripping adaptation of Ian Rankin's novel, but it is spoiled a bit by the casting of John Hannah as Rebus. In the books, Rebus is described as being world-weary, probably a bit (a lot?) overweight and aged in his fifties. Unfortunately John Hannah is too lean, "smooth" and young to be a convincing Rebus. I'd opt for someone like Ken Stott (Messiah, Promoted To Glory) to play the character: he's the right age, has an authentic accent (to my untutored English ears!) and has the right, slightly dishevelled roughness to play Rebus perfectly.

There are 4 episodes in ITV's 1st series of the crime drama, "Rebus". I really didn't know who John Hannah was before this series. I had heard he was in "The Mummy" or "Four Weddings and a Funeral", but had never really paid attention. I watched "Rebus" just because I had nothing better to do and was "blown away". John Hannah was incredible as "DI John Rebus". He is a haunted man trying to decide which side of the law he's on. In two of the episodes; "The Hanging Garden" and "Mortal Causes", he actually goes to a gangster he had put in prison; Morris Cafferty(James Cosmos), to solve a case. In "The Hanging Garden", Rebus' daughter is run down by a car. Rebus goes to Cafferty to identify the driver. This begins an odd friendship between the two and we can see that Rebus is on the "slippery slope". In "Mortal Causes", he actually gives the names of the men involved with the killing of Cafferty's son. This leads to the deaths of one of the men and a police officer. I've heard that fans of Ian Rankin, feel that John Hannah wasn't right for the role. I've never read Rankin. I can only go on what I've seen from the films. Now I can't see anyone else in the role. It probably has to do with the fact that Hannah was a fan of the novels before hand and as Executive Producer, put his heart into the project.

As "Mortal Causes" ended, I found myself saying, "I can't wait for the next episode.", but there wasn't going to be another episode. I hope John Hannah and Ian Rankin can convince ITV to make another series.

Very much recommended for those who love intelligent crime drama.

I read the book first and look forward to reading more by Ian Rankin. I, too, was surprised to see John Hannah as Rebus. He is too young and does not match the character in the book. He does, however, do a good job and I liked the show very much. When an actor creates a believable character, I can accept that the character may differ from the author's original character development. I am hooked on Rebus but will probably read more than watch the roles Rebus plays. I recently visited Edinburgh for the first time and already long to return. Perhaps, these books will be my only connection now that I am back in the States. I was introduced to Rankin's books while in Scotland and appreciate these opportunities to revisit my memories through books and videos.