
The Origins of an Obsession
4 Extra Debut. Charles Latimer's obsession with master criminal Dimitrios leads him to pre-war Europe's dark underworld.
Episode 1 (of 2): The Origins of an Obsession
English crime novelist Charles Latimer is holidaying in Istanbul when he first hears of the mysterious Dimitrios - an infamous master criminal long wanted by the law, whose body has just been fished out of the Bosphorus.
Fascinated by the story, Latimer decides to retrace his steps across Europe and gather material for a new book. Fascination tips over into obsession as he gradually discovers more about his subject's shadowy history - involving murder, prostitution, political assassination, drug-dealing and espionage.
The Mask of Dimitrios was written in 1939 by Eric Ambler, a key figure in the evolution of the crime thriller who brought realism and political awareness to the genre and influenced writers such as Graham Greene and John le Carré.
By using the criminal career of Dimitrios as a lens, it enables us to see the dark heart of Europe, a continent riven by violence and corruption. Its demonstration that the pursuit of money is the well-spring from which all other evils flow is as pertinent as ever - and its cast of drug dealers, shady businessmen and displaced refugees makes it seem astonishingly modern.
Dramatised by Stephen Sheridan
Original music by Neil Brand
Director: David Blount
A Pier production for BBC Radio 4.
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Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Latimer | Jamie Glover |
| Dimitrios | Tim McInnerny |
| Col Haki | Kenneth Cranham |
| Mr Peters | Desmond Barrit |
| Marukakis | Richard Attlee |
| Mme Chavez | Rachel Atkins |
| Irana Preveza | Rachel Atkins |
| Siantos | Andrew Branch |
| Sholem | John Evitts |
| Greek Official | John Evitts |
| Dhris Mohammed | Gary Carr |
| Mortuary Attendant | Ilker Kaleli |
| Director | David Blount |
| Author | Eric Ambler |
| Adaptor | Stephen Sheridan |
Broadcasts
- Sun 19 May 201315:00BBC Radio 4 FM
- Sat 25 May 201321:00BBC Radio 4
- Thu 9 Feb 201710:00BBC Radio 4 Extra
- Thu 9 Feb 201715:00BBC Radio 4 Extra
- Fri 10 Feb 201703:00BBC Radio 4 Extra
