Crime and Punishment - Raskolnikov Conceals the Crime

Set in St Petersburg, in the second half of the 19th century, Crime and Punishment - a psychological thriller - tells the story of a young murderer who becomes caught in his own web of guilt.

Rodya Raskolnikov (played, in this acclaimed BBC production, by John Simm) is a poor student living in a non-desirable section of St Petersburg. 

Raskolnikov believes he is so intelligent that he is among a class of men destined for greatness - despite his poverty.  Because of this self-importance, Raskolnikov thinks he is above the moral law. 

To test his courage, and his beliefs, Raskolnikov decides to kill a pawnbroker.  She is a mean, old woman - and Rodya is sure no one will miss her if she died.

After he commits the murder, Raskolnikov discovers guilt, paranoia and alienation.  How could this be, if he is a man above other men - and beyond the moral law?

To make matters worse for the young man, Roskolnikov is constantly dogged by a police investigator, Porfiry, who arranges a series of traps, encounters and conversations. 

Is Porfiry on to him?  Can Raskolnikov escape the power of his own conscience (or what seems to be an inevitable form of punishment)?

Credits

Clip from a highly acclaimed BBC adaptation of Crime and Punishment, starring John Simm (as Roskolnikov) and Ian McDiarmid (as Porfiry).  Online, courtesy BBC.