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. Frequent reviewer Whalen is as usual most accurate with his comments, so check that for the plot.
Maigret is intrigued by the case, his team think it's a waste of time, but he wonders why the victim is keeping so quiet, whether his family are hiding something, and why a witness statement (2 guys throwing a dead dog into the river) doesn't quite agree with that of one of the key characters ??
That, as ever, sets his nose twitching, and he ferrets away at the accounts of all concerned trying to work out the actual truth.
As ever, the acting is extremely good, and in this one, the time flies by (not always the case!).
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. Frequent reviewer Whalen is as usual most accurate with his comments, so check that for the plot.
Maigret is intrigued by the case, his team think it's a waste of time, but he wonders why the victim is keeping so quiet, whether his family are hiding something, and why a witness statement (2 guys throwing a dead dog into the river) doesn't quite agree with that of one of the key characters ??
That, as ever, sets his nose twitching, and he ferrets away at the accounts of all concerned trying to work out the actual truth.
As ever, the acting is extremely good, and in this one, the time flies by (not always the case!).
