Donna Leon (TV Series) Feine Freunde (2003) User Reviews

Sooo very Venetian

[Atrebor · 9/10 · 2 February 2014]

I have lived in Venice, San Marco and visit my friends regularly. I enjoy Donna Leon immensely and I have read all her books. She has been living in Venice over 25 years, speaks fluent Italian, but she requested her books not to be translated into Italian. Whenever I am lucky enough to catch the Brunetti episodes on the German television I get over the German (speaking it fluently, like Italian and being Dutch). I think the protagonists are very well chosen and could easily be Venetians. I do think a lot of joy goes into the filming and one sees it. The scenery of course is breathtaking but then I am prejudiced. You may or may not like the plots, that's up to you; but the walks, the Vaporetto journeys or the cruising on the police launch through Venice are absolutely wonderful. One feels him-/herself really physically in Venice.

It's sooooo German (Derrick in Italian)

[ChrisHawk78 · 28 May 2004]

All in all I would consider this a nice TV Production that keeps to the book as well as can be expected. The Actors in themselves are good value and the scenery is quite beautiful. But (I suppose with German productions there always has to be a 'but') it is soooo German. Just with the German Pilcher-films the actors do not really manage to give the whole thing an Italian feeling. For some reason or other Germans cannot really act anyway, meaning that their acting will always be recognized as acting. Corinna Harfouch once said that film-making in this country is like everything work. There is apparently little fun on the set and therefore it is always a visible effort. There are smallish things that would already help. As when somebody knocks on a door the other person should not say 'ja' as happens here but instead use the Italian 'avanti'.

Oh well - I suppose the filmmakers should know their job by now. I f you like Brunetti you will find it OK, if you care for the Italian feeling forget it and if you just want a solid German crime film go for it.