‘The Tunnel’ Review

“The Tunnel” (2016) is a British crime drama — from the makers of the Broadchurch series — set against the backdrop of Europe in crisis. When a prominent French politician is found dead in the middle of the Channel Tunnel, straddling the border between the UK and France, detectives Karl Roebuck, played by Stephen Dillane and Elise Wassermann, played by Clémence Poésy, are sent to investigate on behalf of their respective countries. The case takes a surreal turn when a shocking discovery is made at the crime scene, forcing the French and British police into an uneasy partnership. As the serial killer uses ever more elaborate and ingenious methods to highlight the moral bankruptcy of modern society, Karl and Elise are drawn deeper into his increasingly personal agenda. Based on the original hit Swedish series from Filmlance International “The Bridge.” Unlike recent U.S. remakes of foreign series — in particular the American version of “The Bridge” and the American version of the French “The Returned,” this remake duplicates the Swedish series — with scenes and dialogue almost verbatim from the original — but with a decidedly French and British spin to it. The 10-parter is enthralling and gripping — despite the fact that we knew exactly what was going to happen and how the series would end. On DVD, Blu-ray Disc from PBS Distribution.