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 WONDERFUL, though I expect it may upset some fans a little, the way this director chose to show it?
For hints re the plot, do see the review, as ever most informed, by Whalen.
The story shows Maigret being hindered by the examining magistrate (le juge) who naturally sides with the aristocratic family (his wife knows them).
Maigret, as ever, ferrets away at the principal characters, and derives significant snippets from the minor ones too, as the account being told by the main suspect has one or two inconsistencies.
Even the complainant is shown to have -- apparently - something to hide. WHO is telling which version of the truth, who can be trusted?!
We get a hint of a clue when Maigret talks to an embalmer (a great cameo performance) about how to pull off a perfect murder. And another with questions about what times things happened, and in which room the body was found. Why did they summon a doctor who was new to the family? Suddenly, when the case looks hopeless, we get a surprise piece of evidence, then another.
Eventually, against all the odds, the judge has to admit the evidence is persuasive, that indeed the routine heart attack was NOT what it seemed.
Trad fans may well howl that the evidence suddenly appeared, we had not seen Maigret direct his team to go and look for it, explicitly. But as a dramatic presentation, well done to the director, as the revelations were merely what detectives would look for, once they had a clue where to look.
As Whalen says, this episode was a little longer, BUT the time just raced by, a sure sign that the story was well told in this style.
Some of the episodes have been like watching paint dry, slowly, but NOT THIS ONE!
Sadly, we're in the last few episodes now, and Cremer actually only had a few more years to live, but his legacy lives on in these films, doubtless his family are proud.