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?
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?