Wycliffe: The Cycle of Death is a British crime drama film directed by Martyn Friend and released in 1994. It features Jack Shepherd as the titular character, Detective Superintendent Wycliffe, Gemma Jones as his strong-willed wife, and Richard Heffer as one of his colleagues in the Cornwall investigative team. The film opens up with a gruesome discovery - the body of a young woman found washed up on a beach in Cornwall. Wycliffe and his team are called in to investigate the case, and it soon becomes clear that this is just the beginning of a string of murders that are all connected in some way.
The investigation takes them to a tight-knit community of surfers, where they uncover a web of secrets, lies, and betrayals. As more bodies start to pile up, Wycliffe and his team race against time to catch the killer before they strike again.
What sets Wycliffe: The Cycle of Death apart from other crime dramas is its sharp focus on character development. Jack Shepherd's portrayal of Wycliffe is nuanced and complex - he is not the typical gruff, hard-boiled detective often seen in crime dramas. Instead, he is a thoughtful, contemplative man who is not afraid to question his own morality and motivations.
His wife, played by Gemma Jones, is also a refreshing departure from the typical tropes of "cop's wife" - she is independent, strong-willed, and often challenges Wycliffe on his decisions.
The rest of the cast is equally compelling, and the small town setting provides a rich backdrop for the interweaving storyline.
The film's pacing is deliberate but never slow, with each scene serving to advance the plot or flesh out the characters. The writing is sharp and engaging, and the cinematography captures the bleak beauty of the Cornish coastline.
In addition to its strong character development, Wycliffe: The Cycle of Death also delves into themes of class, power, and corruption. The surf community that the investigation leads them to is a closed-off world with its own set of rules and hierarchy, and Wycliffe and his team must navigate their way through it to uncover the truth.
Overall, Wycliffe: The Cycle of Death is a gripping crime drama that balances character development with a compelling whodunit storyline. Fans of the genre looking for something a little different will find plenty to enjoy here.
Wycliffe: The Cycle of Death is a 1993 mystery with a runtime of 1 hour and 22 minutes.
