U Be Dead
Encyclopedia
U Be Dead is a British TV movie first broadcast
in New Zealand
in 2009. The film is based on a true story. The film was shown in the United Kingdom
on 5 September 2010 on ITV1
, and released in France
on 2 July 2010 on television Arte HD
, and in Australia premiered as a telemovie on the ABC in January 2011.
Dr Jan Falkowski and his fiancee
Debra Pemberton are mysteriously stalked and harassed by a woman they have never met who claims to be in love with Falkowski. The woman sends text messages and anonymous phone calls to the couple, their work colleagues and even their wedding caterer. Debra receives death threats claiming that she will be burnt and shot if she goes through with the wedding. The relationship has broken down under the strain and the wedding is called off, but a trap is set for their tormentor. On police advice, the engaged couple pretend to go ahead with their wedding plans, and the anonymous stalker
is caught in a phone booth on the "wedding day", preparing to send more threats. She is revealed as Maria Marchese, whose former boyfriend was a patient of Dr Falkowski. A police investigation begins, but then suddenly the Crown Prosecution Service
lawyers reveal that they are dropping the case against Maria. Dr Falkowski starts a new relationship with Bethan Ancell, a friend from his powerboat racing exploits. But worse is yet to come as Dr Falkowski is accused of rape by Maria. The evidence seems damning and a criminal prosecution begins against him, causing him to lose his job. A further 18 months of torment go by until a crucial new piece of forensic evidence shatters the web of lies spun by Maria Marchese and leads to her downfall. Dr Falkowski and Bethan have to try to put it behind them and start a new life, hoping that Maria will never be able to track them down again.
Broadcast
Broadcast or Broadcasting may refer to:* Broadcasting, the transmission of audio and video signals* Broadcast, an individual television program or radio program* Broadcast , an English electronic music band...
in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
in 2009. The film is based on a true story. The film was shown in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
on 5 September 2010 on ITV1
ITV1
ITV1 is a generic brand that is used by twelve franchises of the British ITV Network in the English regions, Wales, southern Scotland , the Isle of Man and the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey. The ITV1 brand was introduced by Carlton and Granada in 2001, alongside the regional identities of their...
, and released in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
on 2 July 2010 on television Arte HD
Arte
Arte is a Franco-German TV network. It is a European culture channel and aims to promote quality programming especially in areas of culture and the arts...
, and in Australia premiered as a telemovie on the ABC in January 2011.
Plot
A psychiatristPsychiatrist
A psychiatrist is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. All psychiatrists are trained in diagnostic evaluation and in psychotherapy...
Dr Jan Falkowski and his fiancee
Engagement
An engagement or betrothal is a promise to marry, and also the period of time between proposal and marriage which may be lengthy or trivial. During this period, a couple is said to be betrothed, affianced, engaged to be married, or simply engaged...
Debra Pemberton are mysteriously stalked and harassed by a woman they have never met who claims to be in love with Falkowski. The woman sends text messages and anonymous phone calls to the couple, their work colleagues and even their wedding caterer. Debra receives death threats claiming that she will be burnt and shot if she goes through with the wedding. The relationship has broken down under the strain and the wedding is called off, but a trap is set for their tormentor. On police advice, the engaged couple pretend to go ahead with their wedding plans, and the anonymous stalker
Stalker
-In media:* Stalker , a 1995 dark ambient album by Lustmord & Robert Rich, inspired by the film* Stalker , an episode of the American television series CSI...
is caught in a phone booth on the "wedding day", preparing to send more threats. She is revealed as Maria Marchese, whose former boyfriend was a patient of Dr Falkowski. A police investigation begins, but then suddenly the Crown Prosecution Service
Crown Prosecution Service
The Crown Prosecution Service, or CPS, is a non-ministerial department of the Government of the United Kingdom responsible for public prosecutions of people charged with criminal offences in England and Wales. Its role is similar to that of the longer-established Crown Office in Scotland, and the...
lawyers reveal that they are dropping the case against Maria. Dr Falkowski starts a new relationship with Bethan Ancell, a friend from his powerboat racing exploits. But worse is yet to come as Dr Falkowski is accused of rape by Maria. The evidence seems damning and a criminal prosecution begins against him, causing him to lose his job. A further 18 months of torment go by until a crucial new piece of forensic evidence shatters the web of lies spun by Maria Marchese and leads to her downfall. Dr Falkowski and Bethan have to try to put it behind them and start a new life, hoping that Maria will never be able to track them down again.
Cast
- David MorrisseyDavid MorrisseyDavid Mark Morrissey is an English actor and director. Morrissey grew up in the Kensington and Knotty Ash areas of Liverpool, and learned to act at the city's Everyman Youth Theatre. At the age of 18, he was cast in the television series One Summer , which won him recognition throughout the country...
– Dr. Jan Falkowski - Alex LoweAlex LoweStuart Alexander "Alex" Lowe , was widely considered one of his generation's finest all-around mountaineers...
– Drew Langdon - Tara FitzGeraldTara FitzgeraldTara Anne Cassandra Fitzgerald is an English actress who has appeared in feature films, television, radio and the stage....
– Debra Pemberton - Dearbhla MolloyDearbhla MolloyDearbhla Molloy is an Irish actress of the stage and screen from Dublin.Molloy consolidated her stage reputation at both the Abbey and the Gate theatres, coming to England to tour with an Abbey production. She was invited to join the Royal Shakespeare Company and has played Gertrude to Kenneth...
– Dr. Bernice Falkowska - Michael Elwyn – Prof. Wojciech Falkowski
- Thomas CraigThomas Craig (actor)Thomas Craig, is a British actor best known for his work on such TV series as Where the Heart Is and Tommy Harris in Coronation Street, and also the film The Navigators, directed by Ken Loach in 2001.Craig was originally a plumber before making the move into acting in the 1980s...
– DC Lee Rutter - Alexis ZegermanAlexis Zegerman-Background and career:She grew up in London and trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama.-Film and TV actress:She is probably most famous as Zoe, Poppy's best friend and roommate, in Oscar-nominated Mike Leigh's comedy-drama film Happy-Go-Lucky for which she won a British Independent Film...
– Gemma - Richard LumsdenRichard LumsdenRichard James Lumsden is a British actor, writer, composer and musician. He played Nathan in Channel 4's drama Sugar Rush and on radio he plays Ray in Clare in the Community.-Career:...
– DI Steven Thorpe - Lucy Griffiths – Bethan Ancell
- Susannah WiseSusannah WiseSusannah Walker Wise is an English television and stage actress. She trained as an actress at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, graduating in 1995. She is best known for her work in the British soap opera Eastenders and the Channel 4 comedy Peep Show...
– Laura - Jan FrancisJan FrancisJan Francis is an English actress, best known for playing Penny Warrender in the 1980s romantic comedy Just Good Friends.-Early life:Francis was born at the former Charing Cross Hospital near Trafalgar Square, London...
– Irene Pemberton - John McArdleJohn McArdleJohn McArdle is an English actor. He is most notable for playing Billy Corkhill in the soap-opera Brookside, with many other smaller appearances in other soaps and dramas...
– Brian Pemberton - Kate Steavenson-PayneKate Steavenson-PayneKate Steavenson-Payne is a British film/television actress, and has two sisters. Her height is 5 ft and 4 in...
– Helena - Monica DolanMonica DolanMonica Dolan is a British actress who has appeared in a number of roles in British television shows and numerous stage productions. She was born in Middlesbrough. Credits include Agatha Christie's Poirot, Dalziel and Pascoe, Tipping the Velvet and Judge John Deed and starred in ITV drama U Be Dead...
– Maria Marchese - David Groves – Damian Falkowski
External links
- www.bournemouthecho.co.uk - Bournemouth Daily EchoBournemouth Daily EchoThe Bournemouth Daily Echo, commonly known as the Daily Echo, is a local newspaper that covers the area of south-east Dorset, England, including the towns of Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch...
: TV Drama recreates Poole stalker's reign of terrorReign of TerrorThe Reign of Terror , also known simply as The Terror , was a period of violence that occurred after the onset of the French Revolution, incited by conflict between rival political factions, the Girondins and the Jacobins, and marked by mass executions of "enemies of...
; Retrieved 3 September 2010.