Change Your Image
Tony-Holmes
Reviews
Maigret: L'ami d'enfance de Maigret (2003)
Maigret's friend from school - is a despicable rogue!
Saw this on the Talking Pictures channel (UK, old films and TV). They had previously shown the 1960s series (50+ episodes, BBC, B&W) featuring Rupert Davies, a generally acclaimed Maigret.
We've also seen the excellent 12 episodes (2 series) that ITV did (90s) with Michael Gambon as Maigret (terrific portrayal) and the less successful later efforts with Rowan Atkinson in the lead.
This Cremer version is of course French, with subtitles, but they are not too wordy, so fairly easy to follow. Also very French, lots of atmosphere, meaningful looks, thoughtful silences.
I see some reviews refer to how faithful this version is to the books, a ludicrous statement in one respect, as Lucas, his main assistant in all the books I've seen, has almost completely disappeared!
I haven't liked all the episodes so far of this Cremer version, but THIS one is EXCELLENT. As Whalen (usually accurate reviews) points out, this involves Maigret gradually unravelling the lies and half-truths told by his childhood'friend' Florentin, who may even be a murderer.
The review by Tobias, however, suggests that he got distracted, as his "actress who plays the mistress is especially good" apparently missed that the mistress is merely found as a dead body, right at the start, and never says a word?!
This story was also done in the terrific portrayal by Micheal Gambon, though that one had an extra lover to consider as the murderer, this Cremer version cut one out, despite lasting half an hour longer!
As usual, the acting is really good, but my main quibble is with the rest of Maigret's team -- in this one Lucas actually appears, but says nothing (he's Maigret's main assistant in all the books I read). The rest of the team are portrayed as pretty much nitwits, needing lots of prodding to make pretty basic investigations -- and that is NOT as per the books, or the British versions!
Dead Gorgeous (2002)
Good British murder mystery -- with a flawed end?
Other reviewers have covered the broad plot, flight money mad Antonia (McCrory -- RIP) wants to shed her boring husband Hector, but without shedding all his money too!
Dowdy vicar's daughter Rose has got fed up with her ex-fighter pilot hubby, who goes out drinking, beats her up and keeps her short of money.
They're old friends, and accidentally meet -- with Antonia soon hatching a plan to get rid of both husbands, so she can swan off with her boyfriend AND keep the cash on tap!
The support cast nicely portray the degree of suspicion around the first death -- how could a pilot just fall off a Tube platform? -- but can shy Rose carry off her part of the bargain and get rid of Hector?
That gets more complicated when they meet, and get on well together -- could there be another way that Antonia can escape with the wealth she adores?
You can watch this and may think the actual ending is quite clever, and there are some nice comic touches. I'm afraid I marked the film down a little just because I thought the ending was frankly daft, if you check the details, hopefully you'll see why!
But the 2 female leads are excellent, and Ron Cook, who's been in masses of support roles, does well in his unglamorous part.
Maigret: Un échec de Maigret (2003)
Maigret meets a childhood 'friend' - who dies
Saw this on the Talking Pictures channel (UK, old films and TV). They had previously shown the 1960s series (50+ episodes, BBC, B&W) featuring Rupert Davies, a generally acclaimed Maigret.
We've also seen the excellent 12 episodes (2 series) that ITV did (90s) with Michael Gambon as Maigret (terrific portrayal) and the less successful later efforts with Rowan Atkinson in the lead.
This Cremer version is of course French, with subtitles, but they are not too wordy, so fairly easy to follow. Also very French, lots of atmosphere, meaningful looks, thoughtful silences.
I see some reviews refer to how faithful this version is to the books, a ludicrous statement in one respect, as Lucas, his main assistant in all the books I've seen, has almost completely disappeared!
I haven't liked all the episodes so far of this Cremer version, but THIS one is EXCELLENT, a man is murdered who'd come to the Police for help (after getting threatening letters), who'd known Maigret at school, and claimed him to be a friend (but wasn't!).
The review by Whalen details much of what happens, and we both enjoyed the way that Maigret gradually gets to understand the substantial number in the dead man's family, and staff, plus some business rivals, just about all of whom hated the guy, and with good reason!
However, the old BBC series (60s), told the same story in half the time, quite effectively too! The much slower pace in this version allows for the characters to be drawn out more, but I'd add that the acting is terrific, as usually the case with this series. Especially good was Isabelle Candelier, the PA/secretary to the victim, who despises her tycoon boss, and with good reason.
There are some nice lighter touches throughout, Maigret's expression on hearing the victim regarded him a a friend at school, and that their fathers had been chummy, also the exchange when his wife wasn't coming down to see the victim (she lived on the first floor) as she wanted to be sure he really was dead first.
And as Whalen says, the ending is a nice touch, why bother too much WHO killed the overbearing brute, just be grateful someone did?
Maigret: Signé Picpus (2003)
Maigret has trouble - with the producer & director!
Saw this on the Talking Pictures channel, UK older films and TV. They showed the entire collection of the Rupert Davies Maigret episodes (BBC, early 60s) and are now showing this quirky, slow-paced French one (90s) with subtitles. We've also seen the ITV versions with Gambon in the lead (12 episodes, excellent, 1990s), and the less successful Rowan Atkinson attempts (2014, 15, or so?).
The atmosphere is very French, lots of slow thoughtful looks, and Maigret wastes few words, which fits with the books, as does the actor's rather lumbering figure. And there are subtitles, doubtless annoying for some, but done quite well.
No real complaints re the lead portrayal, except that in the books he does crack the odd joke, and has some repartee with faithful R-H man Lucas. In this however, Lucas hardly ever appears, not even mentioned in most episodes, which is STRANGE - I cannot recall a book without him featuring in some way!
This story is quite complex, with a variety of characters, some mysterious behaviour, and some incompetent members of Maigret's team.
As reviewer Whalen states (accurate as ever) this story is let down by the ending.
The Davies version covered it in HALF the time, and told the tale much better, without any sudden surprise revelations that the director was in too much of a hurry to show properly!
Here the acting is good (as usual), but I see no reason for a leisurely stroll through the first 70% of the episode, then a frantic disjointed sprint the rest of the way?!
Gradually Maigret, as usual, plods about and eventually discerns what happened, even though his belated seeing the light was largely kept from us!
I find it especially irritating that his team is radically different from the books I've read. It's a grating annoyance that Lucas, almost a constant in the books, hardly ever appears in this version -- WHAT did he do?!
Dead Man Running (2009)
Nicely paced Gangsta drivel
See the other reviews for the plot details, and the cast, I'd broadly agree with those details.
The film does have quite a good pace, and I suppose the script is about what you'd expect from such things, not that I've seen many.
But Get Carter it certainly isn't, and it falls miles short. Of The Bank Job too.
It has a couple of funny lines, as such films often do, but the plot is beyond ludicrous, relies on umpteen daft coincidences, has a glaring continuity error, and the logistics are weird too, involving a trip up north, and a train ride, all unlikely in the limited time-frame of the plot.
Oh, and at the end, it relies on someone getting paid out with a windfall at a dog track, when he belatedly discovers his lucky choice won at massive odds. If the producers can tell us when a greyhound last won at THOSE odds, well, they can buy me a Lottery ticket for thee weekend too!
Brenda Blethyn was OK, but the whole thing gets 2 from 10 from me.
Her Pen Pal (2021)
A pleasant enough romance for afternoon TV?
My title I think sums it up, a pleasant enough romance for afternoon TV?
Made by Hallmark, apparently, that I associate with greetings cards, but it seems they've branched into rather syrupy films too?
Other reviews have stated the broad plot, wedding planner comes to Paris to arrange her friend's wedding, and meets her old pen pal from some years back. Goodness, and he's French, and soooooo dishy (I thought he was gorgeous, and I'm not gay!). Plus it turns out he's inherited a Chateau, and runs his own property business. Wow, not too bad a catch then!
They start to rekindle those former feelings, and the audience can see where things are leading. There's a slight hiccup with an old boy friend at the wedding, but that doesn't deflect too much from the two leads finding true love in the closing shots. I also didn't think the actual wedding couple looked that credible, but this isn't a movie for any really deep thoughts?!
I have to take issue with a few of the other reviews, it seems that this film summoned thoughts of Audrey Hepburn, and 'Sabrina'? Well, in that film Hepburn went to Paris, matured as a woman, and returned to New York. But lots of films have Paris as a backdrop, and there is not the slightest chance of confusing Jansen with Hepburn. Jansen is passably attractive, but maybe a 4 out of 10 on a combination of looks and acting ability, on an avg scale for actresses? Hepburn lit up the screen in every film she did, and out of 10 on that scale would be about a 47.
Someone else, maybe a couple of people, quibbled that the leads were an American, pairing up with a French guy, but actually Jansen is Canadian, and Josh Sasse is English? Well, many Canadian actors have played Americans, did Donald Sutherland constantly get moans for doing that? No.
Sasse is English, but his ancestry contains umpteen nationalities, and he can speak English with a French accent perfectly well. It's called Acting. Rod Steiger once played Napoleon, it's called acting. Leonard Nimoy played an alien with pointy ears in Star Trek, but he didn't have to be fired into space, it's called acting. And Anthony Hopkins was wonderful as Lector (Silence of the Lambs), but nobody has suggested he actually ripped out any liver or kidneys to cook and eat them -- it's called acting.
Maigret: Maigret et la princesse (2003)
Maigret struggles to understand the 'upper crust'
Saw this on the Talking Pictures channel (UK, old films and TV). They had previously shown the 1960s series (50+ episodes, BBC, B&W) featuring Rupert Davies, a generally acclaimed Maigret.
We've also seen the excellent 12 episodes (2 series) that ITV did (90s) with Michael Gambon as Maigret (terrific portrayal) and the less successful later efforts with Rowan Atkinson in the lead.
This Cremer version is of course French, with subtitles, but they are not too wordy, so fairly easy to follow. Also very French, lots of atmosphere, meaningful looks, thoughtful silences.
I see some reviews refer to how faithful this version is to the books, a ludicrous statement in one respect, as Lucas, his main assistant in all the books I've seen, has almost completely disappeared!
I haven't liked all the episodes so far of this Cremer version, but THIS one is pretty good, a mysterious murder of a former diplomat, and also a man who conducted a platonic love affair with a Princess for many years.
The review by Whalen details much of what happens, but I'd add that the acting is terrific, as usually the case with this series.
However, the old BBC series (60s), told the same story in half the time, quite effectively too!
Darby and Joan (2022)
Like a comfy pair of slippers?
I've seen some of this series, just caught up with the last but one, maybe tomorrow the ending.
Lots of reviewers like the easy pace, and the 'mystery' in each episode gets solved without car chases or shootouts, plus the 2 leads are experienced actors who can do this easy daytime show in their sleep, but unfortunately at times they pretty much do.
One or 2 less impressed viewers have mentioned the scripts, which at times have dialogue which is almost an insult to sane people.
As you've likely read in other reviews, Joan (Scacchi) is there because her hubby turned up dead, when he should have been in Spain. She met Jack (Darby -- lucky with those names, eh?!) by accident, and equally luckily, he's a retired (& disgraced!) cop who can help her quest, as they wander round Queensland.
As someone else said, the show is like Father Brown, or Midsomer Murders perhaps, a gentle watch without bad language. It won't win any Oscars (or whatever the TV awards are ?!), and I'd recommend recording it so you can at times fast forward, but it's an OK watch for probably the more mature audience. Hopefully the last episode tells us what happened to Hubby?!
Maigret: La maison de Félicie (2002)
Maigret meets Felicie
Saw this on the Talking Pictures channel, UK older films and TV. They showed the entire collection of the Rupert Davies Maigret episodes (BBC, early 60s) and are now showing this quirky, slow-paced French one (90s) with subtitles. We've also seen the ITV versions with Gambon in the lead (12 episodes, excellent, 1990s), and the less successful Rowan Atkinson attempts (2014, 15, or so?).
The atmosphere is very French, lots of slow thoughtful looks, and Maigret wastes few words, which fits with the books, as does the actor's rather lumbering figure. And there are subtitles, doubtless annoying for some, but done quite well.
No real complaints re the lead portrayal, except that in the books he does crack the odd joke, and has some repartee with faithful R-H man Lucas. In this however, Lucas hardly ever appears, not even mentioned in most episodes, which is STRANGE - I cannot recall a book without him featuring in some way!
This story is well known to TV viewers, both the Davies and Gambon versions covered it. This one extends the running time to almost 2 hours, and to no great effect, the other ones managed the tale in an hour, or about 85 minutes, and were just as good if not better.
Here the acting is good, the actress playing Felicie is in many scenes, and has to compete with Maigret, she has to convey her own innocence in the murder (other reviews have outlined the story) and also try to conceal what SHE believes is the likely involvement of her boyfriend and lover. Gradually Maigret, as usual, plods about and eventually discerns what happened.
One oddity is that he uses Janvier for some help (one of his team at HQ), however Janvier is played by a different actor to the chap who appeared a number of times in previous series! AND -- as I've said, a grating annoyance is that Lucas, almost a constant in the books, hardly ever appears in this version -- WHAT did he do?!
Machete (2010)
A Ballet for Guns? Stylish Drivel for folk needing mental help?
Saw this by accident, changing channels, and I think it's probably THE worst film I've ever seen, at least, of those I saw at least 10 minutes of.
It has, bizarrely, Don Johnson, and De Niro, I presume because they got a fat fee for little actual work.
Seagal was in it too, at least it could have been him, as he was made up with what looked like a ton of plasticine on his face, and some strange new hair that may have at some point belonged to someone else.
I hadn't seen the star before, and it was the sort of movie that didn't need him to play Hamlet, likely just as well.
Oh, and some very attractive girls appeared now and then.
The plot? Um, gibberish. BUT -- the bits I saw did have a sort of modern ballet theme, worshipping various guns & missiles, that might work for some viewers,
Oh, and near the end, there was another odd scene, a parade of some weird bouncing cars, one reared up, like a bronco, squashing a bad guy when it came down. Like I said, gibberish. I presume the target audience would be young guys needing some extra brain cells?
Maigret: Maigret à l'école (2002)
Who'd murder a horrible old woman that everyone hated?!
Saw this on the Talking Pictures channel (UK, old films and TV). They had previously shown the 1960s series (50+ episodes, BBC, B&W) featuring Rupert Davies, a generally acclaimed Maigret.
We've also seen the excellent 12 episodes (2 series) that ITV did (90s) with Michael Gambon as Maigret (terrific portrayal) and the less successful later efforts with Rowan Atkinson in the lead.
This Cremer version is of course French, with subtitles, but they are not too wordy, so fairly easy to follow. Also very French, lots of atmosphere, meaningful looks, thoughtful silences.
I see some reviews refer to how faithful this Maigret is to the books, a ludicrous statement in one respect, as Lucas, his main assistant in all the books I've seen, has almost completely disappeared!
I haven't liked all the episodes so far of this Cremer version, but some have been WONDERFUL, this one is OK, well acted, but was also done in the old BBC series, and the later Gambon episodes. I'd say both of them were superior to this one -- and they tell the story perfectly well in far less time.
The other present reviews (inc Spears and Whalen) have outlined the story, and the assorted characters, very well (though La Rochelle isn't a "village" - sorry Spears! - and this story is NOT set there, just nearby).
Maigret gradually finds out why the victim was detested by everyone, a crabby old woman who opened or stole mail, spread rumours and openly insulted almost everyone. She'd even disinherited her daughter, didn't like the husband or child. How did she last so long?!
He senses that the 'outsider' teacher has been framed as a handy scapegoat, but was the 'murder' actually an accident? Who ACTUALLY saw something, and what has been invented.
As Whalen recalls, he comes out with a great line, after the local policeman (who IS from nearby La Rochelle!) asks if he knew what happened, does he have a "lead"? Well, "not a lead, but a scent" - and likens such cases to being near the sea, you can smell wen you're getting close. Great line -- and sums up how Maigret operates, by talking, or at least prodding others to talk, and listening and watching very carefully.
This version differs from the previous we've seen, in that the teacher was never shown, stayed in custody (a salary saved I suppose?!). It also didn't make very much of the sub-plot, a dodgy insurance claim after a boy had been injured in the street, that boy not being in school and so could he be a witness - he can walk to his window - or is he actually the culprit?
Maigret: Maigret et le fou de Sainte Clothilde (2002)
Maigret Jumps off a Train? The Producers should have tried a Cliff?!
Saw this on the Talking Pictures channel (UK, old films and TV). They had previously shown the 1960s series (50+ episodes, BBC, B&W) featuring Rupert Davies, a generally acclaimed Maigret.
We've also seen the excellent 12 episodes (2 series) that ITV did (90s) with Michael Gambon as Maigret (terrific portrayal) and the less successful later efforts with Rowan Atkinson in the lead.
This Cremer version is of course French, with subtitles, but they are not too wordy, so fairly easy to follow. Also very French, lots of atmosphere, meaningful looks, thoughtful silences.
I see some reviews refer to how faithful this version is to the books, a ludicrous statement in one respect, as Lucas, his main assistant in all the books I've seen, has almost completely disappeared!
I haven't liked all the episodes so far of this Cremer version, but some have been great. THIS one however is really disappointing, it gets off to a ludicrous start, Maigret is on a train, travelling to meet his wife, but supposedly gets fascinated by a passenger (we see no real evidence), so much so that when the man jumps off the moving train, so does our hero, LEAVING BEHIND his belongings including papers and money?! As if cool calm and collected Maigret would do such a thing?!
He twists an ankle, ends up in the hospital of the small town in the title, and he then gets sucked into a murder mystery that's been causing a scandal, with attacks on women dating back several years.
The reviews by orebaugh and whalen as usual describe the events very well, and like me are baffled why the producers decided to radically change the plot in the book? This episode was in the old BBC (Rupert Davies) series, and they did a much better job with this story, told in just an hour too!!
Maigret digs back into the past (that concept was in the book), and finds a likely motive concerning the 4 key people in the small town, doctor, lawyer, police chief and mayor. Then the estranged wife of one of them becomes another victim, just when she was about to reveal some secret to him.
Any casual viewers of this episode should beware a scene in which we get to see graphic details of the porn collection that one of the suspects keeps in his attic. I hope the series gets back on track with the next one!
Maigret: The Log of the Cap Fagnet (1963)
Maigret at the Seaside (& another spoiled holiday for his wife)
Saw this on the UK Talking Pictures channel, who are showing all 4 series of Maigret, originally early 60s BBC. We're in the 4th series now, and the quality has generally improved, though this one has some issues!
Maigret's old friend calls him in re the murder of the captain of a fishing trawler, which has been at sea for a month, and the captain gets bumped off as soon as it returns. They're seeking the ship's young wireless officer, seen near the murder incident and has run away.
Maigret takes the chance to placate his wife in taking her for a weekend away, as her holidays are usually ruined by crime, but when Lucas turns up (even wearing a holiday hat) she realises the deception. However, she has met the girlfriend of the chief suspect, and campaigns for his innocence.
Maigret and Lucas find the young man, and try to discover what happened, but the crew aren't talking, and the young suspect seems quite confused. They realise the crew are likely innocent, if they had wanted the captain dead, he'd have had an 'accident' at sea, not wait until the ship docked. A complication is discovered, the captain had a female guest in his cabin, and they find her jealous boyfriend. They also hear that the cabin boy, on his first trip, was lost overboard, and the captain overnight had become a changed man.
Gradually our heroes home in on a suspect, and they manage to get the accused 'sparks' to tell the truth. Though the story of this episode isn't bad, some of the acting is, real amateur dramatics dodgy audition stuff. Usually by series 4 it's much better.
The 2 reviews at this time both have an odd comment, Fisher refers to the busty barmaid (the one who'd gone for a 'cruise' with the captain) as having an 'Irish' accent doubling for 'Breton' (where the port is supposed to be). She actually sounded like she was imitating an American accent heard in films.
And Prismark is again wide of the mark (happens quite often) in saying that no culprit was found, the last few minutes referred to how the cabin boy had died, how the captain got murdered when the ship docked, AND what happened to the killer. Maybe he popped out at the wrong time and missed the crucial bits?!!
Maigret: Maigret et le marchand de vin (2002)
Nobody mentioned the new offices?!
Saw this on the Talking Pictures channel (UK, old films and TV). They had previously shown the 1960s series (50+ episodes, BBC, B&W) featuring Rupert Davies, a generally acclaimed Maigret.
We've also seen the excellent 12 episodes (2 series) that ITV did (90s) with Michael Gambon as Maigret (terrific portrayal) and the less successful later efforts with Rowan Atkinson in the lead.
This Cremer version is of course French, with subtitles, but they are not too wordy, so fairly easy to follow. Also very French, lots of atmosphere, meaningful looks, thoughtful silences.
I see some reviews refer to how faithful this version is to the books, a ludicrous statement in one respect, as Lucas, his main assistant in all the books I've seen, has almost completely disappeared!
I haven't liked all the episodes so far of this Cremer version, but THIS one is EXCELLENT. As Whalen (usually accurate reviews) points out, this victim has slept with what seems like half of Paris, so presumably many husbands and boyfriends with motive, and even his father says that his business success has bankrupted rivals, so even more with motive?!
But those issues are hardly new, so why a killing now? The death occurred right outside a well-known brothel, where the victim had taken one of his several very beautiful 'secretaries', all of whom are used to being used for a 'quickie' in the office, or they get taken for a treat to this, er, 'hotel' for an hour or two.
With a cunning bit of direction, we the viewer got a blurred view of the shooting, as we were put in the eye of the brothel keeper. Maigret gets some admissions from her, but not much of a description of the culprit. He discovers the victim's wife is also a brothel patron, she knew all about her husband, everyone is quite relaxed about what went on.
Maigret plods about, the investigation doesn't get very far, and quite slowly! Then, in conversation with an interested party, if not a witness, someone with a potential grudge comes to light. Plus, he finds he is being followed, by a scruffy little man, is this the killer?
At last, they meet, in Maigret's office. The full story comes out, and as often the case in Simenon's books, Maigret has some sympathy for the criminal, once he's understood why it happened.
What we NEVER heard though -- unless I missed it in the subtitles?!! -- was any reference to the totally different offices that the team are working from! This was the first episode of a new series, and it looked like the traditional Quai des Orfevres had been transformed into a converted warehouse (?), you'd have thought somebody would have referred to it?!
Oh, and one review (Derek) is completely out of line, take no notice!
Maigret: Maigret et la fenêtre ouverte (2001)
A fine detection -- but not a great episode
The presently 3 other reviews have outlined the plot, especially Whalen, who as usual has a pretty accurate summary.
A dodgy businessman has upset masses of investors and clients, over many years, readily goes bankrupt if necessary, then springs back up.
Assorted folk with a grudge and motive are assembled one afternoon, just in case he deigns to see them when he awakes from his usual afternoon nap (2 to 3pm) - except this time he doesn't. They are in a downstairs waiting room, and cannot access the office, his much younger wife is asleep also upstairs. But they collectively hear a shot.
Maigret doubts the more obvious suicide conclusion, even though the magistrate (French law has one of those at the head of investigations) thinks it's more convenient. Why would he have bought tickets for Mexico if he was planning suicide?! Then forensic tests show the victim had no gunpowder residue on his hands -- not him then!
And Maigret has nagging doubts about an open window, does it have any part in the problem?
As Whalen says, it's all derived from a short story, and doubtless the film does pad out the characters rather more, but in fact only 3 of them could have been the murderer, with Maigret gradually homing in on the guilty party. One oddity is that a key character is played by the same actor as had a key role (Inspector Cadavre) in an episode not that long ago! But the whole thing is one of their lesser efforts, hence my low mark for it.
Maigret: Mon ami Maigret (2001)
An idyllic setting, and Maigret displays his lack of method?!
Saw this on the Talking Pictures channel (UK, old films and TV). They had previously shown the 1960s series (50+ episodes, BBC, B&W) featuring Rupert Davies, a generally acclaimed Maigret.
We've also seen the excellent 12 episodes (2 series) that ITV did (90s) with Michael Gambon as Maigret (terrific portrayal) and the less successful later efforts with Rowan Atkinson in the lead.
This Cremer version is of course French, with subtitles, but they are not too wordy, so fairly easy to follow. Also very French, lots of atmosphere, meaningful looks, thoughtful silences.
I see some reviews refer to how faithful this version is to the books, a ludicrous statement in one respect, as Lucas, his main assistant in all the books I've seen, has almost completely disappeared!
I haven't liked all the episodes so far of this Cremer version, but THIS one is WONDERFUL, Maigret has to puzzle out what caused a murder amongst an oddball group who spend much of their time - well, certainly the summer -- lazing in the sun off the south coast (filmed at Porquerolles). Unusually he has a Scotland Yard inspector following him - to learn from his methods -- as well as his nephew, who the producers seem to have decided is now his long-term assistant (sorry Lucas, pushed aside again?!).
The other present reviews (inc Spears and Whalen) have outlined the story, and the assorted characters, very well. Maigret points out to the visiting English detective that he really has no 'method', other than to plod about chatting in an almost friendly way about who knows who, why are they on the island, how did people get on with the deceased, etc.
He gradually extracts little snippets of info from the cast of characters, gets some background details from Paris (despite complaining how long it will take), then spots that a nosy telephonist (who puts all the calls through to and from the island -- this IS the 1950s!) has a secret hobby of listening to the calls!
The victim had suddenly boasted of a chance to make some big money, and it seems he had also suddenly taken an interest in art.
With the victim turning out to have been killed by a bullet from the same gun involved in an earlier murder, a case that featured another character of the island's summer residents, Maigret gets two birds in one. The episode is a great example of Maigret at work, not quite typical as most of his cases are generally in the grey and sometimes rainy confines of Paris!
Maigret: Maigret et la croqueuse de diamants (2001)
All locked up?
Saw this on the Talking Pictures channel (UK, old films and TV). They had previously shown the 1960s series (50+ episodes, BBC, B&W) featuring Rupert Davies, a generally acclaimed Maigret.
We've also seen the excellent 12 episodes (2 series) that ITV did (90s) with Michael Gambon as Maigret (terrific portrayal) and the less successful later efforts with Rowan Atkinson in the lead.
This Cremer version is of course French, with subtitles, but they are not too wordy, so fairly easy to follow. Also very French, lots of atmosphere, meaningful looks, thoughtful silences.
I see some reviews refer to how faithful this version is to the books, a ludicrous statement in one respect, as Lucas, his main assistant in all the books I've seen, has almost completely disappeared!
I haven't liked all the episodes so far of this Cremer version, and THIS one is I'm afraid one of those, despite the help of acclaimed actor Michael Lonsdale, playing a dissolute Englishman. Incidents at canals or locks seem a recurring theme for Simenon, and this one sadly featured characters that had little appeal, I couldn't really care who'd bumped off the spoilt wife, or the later sponger on the fancy boat.
The other present reviews (Bob and Whalen) have outlined the story, and Maigret eventually unearths an incident from the past, which, allied to quite a coincidence meeting, leads to one death, and later another.
I was nodding off well before the end though -- and I'm not wildly impressed with these episodes having recently it seems compressed several of Maigret's inspectors into his nephew, who apparently gets seconded as needed at short notice?
Maigret: Maigret chez les riches (2000)
Maigret Chex Les Riches - and cures insomnia?
Saw this on the Talking Pictures channel (UK, old films and TV). They had previously shown the 1960s series (50+ episodes, BBC, B&W) featuring Rupert Davies, a generally acclaimed Maigret.
We've also seen the excellent 12 episodes (2 series) that ITV did (90s) with Michael Gambon as Maigret (terrific portrayal) and the less successful later efforts with Rowan Atkinson in the lead.
This Cremer version is of course French, with subtitles, but they are not too wordy, so fairly easy to follow. Also very French, lots of atmosphere, meaningful looks, thoughtful silences.
I see some reviews refer to how faithful this version is to the books, a ludicrous statement in one respect, as Lucas, his main assistant in all the books I've seen, has almost completely disappeared! At this stage in these Cremer versions, his nephew has appeared, it seems a composite of his team in the books?
I haven't liked all the episodes so far of this Cremer version, but the last 2 or 3 have been excellent, sadly this one was a real 'clunker'. It could have been another homage to Agatha Christie, and a 'country house' mystery (though set in a Paris mansion of a very wealthy lawyer).
As the other reviews have described, it's a murder that started with a letter warning of one, plenty of suspects, mum, dad, 2 privileged kids, a couple of other lawyers, a very attractive secretary, and a bunch of servants. In one telling and typical moment, Maigret declares himself more at home 'below stairs'!
As usual, the acting is very good, but I couldn't warm to this one, I nodded off several times well before the end.
The drawback I thought was with the pacing, and although it is the style of this series to be slow and thoughtful, this one overdid things a bit in that regard? At one point somewhere in the middle -- the victim had yet to be bumped off -- I thought I didn't really care who it would be, or 'whodunnit'.
Maigret: Maigret voit double (2000)
Why kill someone so anonymous?
Saw this on the Talking Pictures channel (UK, old films and TV). They had previously shown the 1960s series (50+ episodes, BBC, B&W) featuring Rupert Davies, a generally acclaimed Maigret.
We've also seen the excellent 12 episodes (2 series) that ITV did (90s) with Michael Gambon as Maigret (terrific portrayal) and the less successful later efforts with Rowan Atkinson in the lead.
This Cremer version is of course French, with subtitles, but they are not too wordy, so fairly easy to follow. Also very French, lots of atmosphere, meaningful looks, thoughtful silences.
I see some reviews refer to how faithful this version is to the books, a ludicrous statement in one respect, as Lucas, his main assistant in all the books I've seen, has almost completely disappeared!
I haven't liked all the episodes so far of this Cremer version, but THIS one is pretty good, with Maigret having to puzzle out the life of a man who does very little, a boring job and life, and even his own family have grown to dislike him?
The other present reviews (Orebaugh and Whalen) have outlined the story, and Maigret gradually unearths a number of motives for murder, as he finds the victim's daughter knows a little more than she admits, and is everything really OK where he worked? Plus, would a non-gambler have bought a lottery ticket, or had he been doing some creative accounting at his workplace? As is usually the case, some lovely acting, especially from the victim's wife, his daughter, and that other woman (or is she?!).
Maigret: Un meurtre de première classe (1999)
Maigret does Christie?!
Saw this on the Talking Pictures channel (UK, old films and TV). They had previously shown the 1960s series (50+ episodes, BBC, B&W) featuring Rupert Davies, a generally acclaimed Maigret.
We've also seen the excellent 12 episodes (2 series) that ITV did (90s) with Michael Gambon as Maigret (terrific portrayal) and the less successful later efforts with Rowan Atkinson in the lead.
This Cremer version is of course French, with subtitles, but they are not too wordy, so fairly easy to follow. Also very French, lots of atmosphere, meaningful looks, thoughtful silences.
I see some reviews refer to how faithful this version is to the books, a ludicrous statement in one respect, as Lucas, his main assistant in all the books I've seen, has almost completely disappeared!
I haven't liked all the episodes so far of this Cremer version, but THIS one is pretty good, apparently an homage to Agatha Christie, and her Orient Express mystery?
As the other reviews have described, it's a murder on a train, the culprit must be one of the passengers, but the dead man's documents have disappeared, so without knowing who he is rather hampers the investigation. As ever, Maigret slowly eliminates most of the suspects, then makes a breakthrough.
As usual, the acting is very good, and there are some nice touches, Maigret ordering lunch for 30 or so passengers in a rural spot with few facilities! He also chides his nephew several times, and takes delight in catching out several passengers when they've lied.
The only drawback I thought was with the pacing, although it is the style of this series to be slow and thoughtful, this one overdid things a bit in that regard?
Maigret: Meurtre dans un jardin potager (1999)
Maigret disturbs a closed community
Saw this on the Talking Pictures channel (UK, old films and TV). They had previously shown the 1960s series (50+ episodes, BBC, B&W) featuring Rupert Davies, a generally acclaimed Maigret.
We've also seen the excellent 12 episodes (2 series) that ITV did (90s) with Michael Gambon as Maigret (terrific portrayal) and the less successful later efforts with Rowan Atkinson in the lead.
This Cremer version is of course French, with subtitles, but they are not too wordy, so fairly easy to follow. Also very French, lots of atmosphere, meaningful looks, thoughtful silences.
I see some reviews refer to how faithful this version is to the books, a ludicrous statement in one respect, as Lucas, his main assistant in all the books I've seen, has almost completely disappeared!
I haven't liked all the episodes so far of this Cremer version, but THIS one is EXCELLENT! The review by Whalen details much of what happens, but I'd add that the acting is terrific, a range of disparate characters in a small nondescript country village that is somewhere near Dole, the Jura region by the Swiss border. Where it apparently rains a lot?!
Two vagrant murders are linked, one was in Paris, the gun used for that one turns up by a murder victim in this village, Maigret has to discover what the link is back to this country backwater, full of suspicious characters who don't much care for the outside world.
The story is somewhat like the episode in series 7 (Enfant de Choeur) in which Maigret has to find out what a small group of characters are hiding, though that village (or perhaps small town) actually has a road with tarmac, pavements, a tram, and a few shops, so he doesn't keep getting his shoes all muddy!
The core of this one is two feuding sisters, living in a divided house (I was reminded of the old Steptoe comedy story?!) just hurling venom and insults at each other for many years. Both say they don't know the local victim, who was found in a shed in their garden.
Gradually Maigret discovers crucial details, about the Paris victim, who'd been a seasonal farm worker between the wars. Then it's discovered that the local victim had been engaged to one sister, married the other one, then left them both. But they both say they don't recognise him?? Merde Alors - or perhaps, Mud Alors?! And how did the 2 vagrants know each other?
Lots of good acting, I liked the granny, said to be deaf, but sees and hears lots of things, gives Maigret a couple of good clues, and the widowed village cafe and shop owner (all in one!) who clearly takes a shine to him -- as well as his shoes! As the other reviews have said, sit down and enjoy.
Maigret: Madame Quatre et ses enfants (1999)
Maigret Undercover?
Saw this on the Talking Pictures channel (UK, old films and TV). They had previously shown the 1960s series (50+ episodes, BBC, B&W) featuring Rupert Davies, a generally acclaimed Maigret.
We've also seen the excellent 12 episodes (2 series) that ITV did (90s) with Michael Gambon as Maigret (terrific portrayal) and the less successful later efforts with Rowan Atkinson in the lead.
This Cremer version is of course French, with subtitles, but they are not too wordy, so fairly easy to follow. Also very French, lots of atmosphere, meaningful looks, thoughtful silences.
I see some reviews refer to how faithful this version is to the books, a ludicrous statement in one respect, as Lucas, his main assistant in all the books I've seen, has almost completely disappeared!
I haven't liked all the episodes so far of this Cremer version, but THIS one (based on a short story it seems) is EXCELLENT! The review by WJSpears and Whalen detail much of what happens, but I'd add that the acting is terrific, a range of disparate characters in a small nondescript village boarding house.
Maigret is - unusually - undercover, in this one, keeping an eye on a woman (+ her 2 awful kids!), who might have witnessed a murder (by her husband), or perhaps is a potential target of a serial killer?
Some comedy notes too, as the flirty pair of waitresses eye up the guests, and plan their social life, but also act as childminders to the poor woman's awful brats.
Maigret soon works out what has likely happened, and the episode becomes one where the police are setting a trap for the murderer, whilst not alerting most of the people in the B&B.
The acting is strong in the supporting cast, but especially by the rather scatty woman involved, a gorgeous performance from Mariane Basler, who at times gets cross with Maigret, at other moments may be thinking of a possible seduction?!
I've only marked the episode down to a 7 as I wan't sure how believable the police activities were -- once they realised they had a serial killer, their actions seemed remarkably relaxed?
No Time to Die (2021)
Bond films used to be fun
Oh dear. I've seen all the Bond films, in recent years when they appear on TV.
Craig hasn't been a bad Bond, but he just doesn't have the screen charisma of Connery and Moore, he tries hard through his set of films, and does the action scenes well, but he just doesn't light up the screen.
I gather this was his last payday in the role, and sadly anyone seeing Bond for the first time in this tripe will wonder what all the fuss was ever about,
As many other reviewers have said, this movie was a shambles, by a very long way the worst Bond I've ever seen. His love interest was of no interest, the token black girl introduced as the new 007 would struggle to get jobs in ads for washing-up liquid, based on this, and the supposed villain would have got kids reading comics to complain that he wasn't up to much.
I won't trouble anyone with the plot, other reviews have suggested there was a bit of one, but it's hard to recall. I got the impression that Craig had died, from the final scene, but I'd nodded off before the end so I can't be absolutely sure. This chaotic twaddle had killed off my will to live well before the end, and I DO really hope the whole thing lost the producers and backers a mass of dollars.
The Bond franchise meant for many years a couple of hours of escapism and fun, the only thing this would have done was get a lot of watches checked for accuracy, as audiences would have thought theirs had stopped.
Maigret: Maigret et l'inspecteur Cadavre (1998)
Maigret Plays Away
Saw this on the Talking Pictures channel (UK - old films and TV). We've previously seen the original UK Maigret (Rupert Davies, 50+ BBC Episodes), also the excellent Michael Gambon (ITV, 12 episodes), and the less credible Rowan Atkinson (also ITV, 5 or so episodes up to almost 2 hours long).
These French films are a bit of an acquired taste, almost 2 hours long and not always keeping strictly to the book, but this one I don't recall the book, so it may have been accurate?!
The synopsis on here is valid, Maigret has no authority in Belgium, but the sister of a high-ranking superior in the Ministry has asked for help to dispel some rumours about her Belgian husband (is he a murderer?), so he gets sent on a small 'holiday' to find out what he can.
He soon finds out the couple's daughter is less innocent than they think, has a few boy and man friends, was the dead young man one? It seems the guy was popular with women, so he likely was, but who would have wanted him dead?
Assuming it WAS a murder (??), there are few credible suspects, but a subplot has what is now a private detective buying the silence of witnesses, he used to work for Maigret, who had him sacked after a terrible mistake in an investigation.
Maigret makes a breakthrough when he discovers that the local postwoman cum telephonist (this IS set in the 50s!) likes to listen in to phone calls after she has made the connection, so, just what has she heard from the relevant parties?!
As often the case with Maigret, Simenon places some good contrasts between the poorer folk in the area, and the 'nobs' in the big houses, who have lots of problems that money cannot always fix!
The acting is pretty good, and it seems the daughter is making her first appearance, so congrats to the director for getting such a good performance?!
Maigret: Maigret et l'improbable Monsieur Owen (1997)
Merde Alors?!
Saw this on the Talking Pictures channel (UK - old films and TV) - we've also see the original (to us!) BBC version (Rupert Davies, 60s, B&W, 50+ episodes) and the ITV series with Michael Gambon in the lead, also the episodes with Rowan Atkinson trying a non-comedy role for a change.
This series with Cremer in the lead is a bit of an acquired taste, films almost 2 hours long, a lot of thoughtful looks and I know too slow for some who are used to the other versions. These are also a little odd in that Lucas (Maigret's right-hand man in most of the books) hardly ever appears!
THIS episode, well, I agree with the review by nmemery, it seemed completely at odds with the Davies version of this story, and those BBC ones were pretty accurate, albeit sometimes accelerating events due to the mere one hour runtime? Some of the acting was also less good than usual in these French ones, generally it's a high standard but a couple in this had 'drama school reject' written on them?!
The story seemed to have been mutilated for some comic effect (??) and the addition of a blind guy helping Maigret for some conclusions was interesting, if unlikely?! I gave this one, 2, as opposed to nmemery's one, as the setting in the sun was quite pretty?!