Is Harpur and Iles: Protection Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1997)

📖 The Core Premise

Harpur and Iles: Protection stands as a 1997 entry that attempts to leave its mark on the various landscape. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "Underworld boss Bernie 'Tenderness' Mellick is certainly paying a heavy price for maiming Ivor Wright in a firebombing. For Wright's men have now kidnapped his eleven-year-old son Graham. Senior Detective Chief Superintendent Colin Harpur and his brilliant, amoral superior ACC Desmond Iles must rescue the boy from the kidnappers before Tenderness takes his revenge in this adaptation of Bill James' novel Protection."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. Hywel Bennett does well with the material given, though the script occasionally limits their range. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good cinema. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is Harpur and Iles: Protection worth your time? If you appreciate various films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, Harpur and Iles: Protection is a mixed bag with some redeeming qualities. With a runtime of 92 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Watch on OTT.