chris gerolmo take care not to simply give u a ` jack the stripper type of list of murdered people represent he delve into the psychological characterization with convincing result . perhaps mostly due to stephen rea excellent performance play off against donald sutherland with good empathy by both . it be the playing of these two part above all which make the film something more than just a morbid account of the history of the butcher of rostov . support actor and especially max von sydow and carry out their part really well . good directing . the photography be good too . needless to say and the fact that the film be shoot in hungary be bind to produce a couple of aberration and but and frankly and give the depth of the story telling and interpretation and we can completely forget these little trivialia . for once and a make for tv film from hbo have come up trump . recommend and especially if you like to analyse characteriology and forget some of the morbid scene which and i hasten to add and be never exaggerate .