AllMovie

Dostoyevsky's socially conscious epic novel of morality and ethics comes to vivid life in this lavish version from Hallmark Entertainment. Originally aired on NBC and produced by Robert Halmi Sr. (known for such high-calibre and popular literature-based miniseries as Gulliver's Travels, The Odyssey and Merlin), its distinguished cast includes Ben Kingsley, Patrick Dempsey and Julie Delpy. Adhering close to the book, the story begins in 19th-century Russia and centers on an idealistic student who believes his intellectual superiority gives him the right to commit any crime, even murder, with impunity if he believes it will improve society. So convinced is he of this notion that the student coldly murders a crooked pawnbroker and her sister (who is innocent). But as years pass, and he learns more about life, his arrogance is replaced by an agonizing, relentless guilt that threatens to destroy him.