I came across this gem of a tv series a number of years ago on "ARD Mediathek". Because I'm bilingual I've been able to watch things in German on places like "Das Erste" which produces this. The setting is a rural town called "Hengasch". It's a play on words...in German it almost sounds like "Hänge-arsch" which is a real concept. (Flabby/saggy bottom, basically). It's deliberate because the main character, Sophie, says "Hengasch" sometimes in a way where it really sounds like 'Hängearsch".
The characters are all caricatures, but once in a while there are more serious moments as well. It can be a bit corny, but I think that's its charm in a way. It's pretty light viewing as far as murder mysteries go...
Might be interesting to see if an English-language based streaming service might pick it up some day. Compared with Brit series, I'd say it's something like a cross between a little more cynical Vicar of Dibley and a more rural Midsomer Murders.
Each episode is under 1 hour.
11 Reviews
Entertaining crime comedy/Unterhaltsame Krimi-Komödie
criscal9 February 2022
Ambitious police woman from the big city Sophie Haas gets sent to a country side police station, rather than getting promoted to the vacant higher position she has hoped for.
This police comedy lives from the characters and the clash between city dweller Haas and the life and culture of the country side.
Haas is single at heart, enjoys driving fast and fashionable clothes. Besides that she can connect the dots and solve the crimes with the help of her new colleagues. Colleage Dietmar Schäffer is a rather meek and homely character, married to his wife Heike, who is well connected, very nosy and unlike her husband quite feisty. Young colleague Bärbel Schmied is naive, but enthusiastic with her heart in the right spot. Both colleagues address their pensioned ex-boss as boss when he happens to drop by at the police station to announce his prejudiced insights - and that happens often. There is the gynecologist, who always certifies a death to be a heart attack.
Eine ambitionierte und kompetente Kriminal-Kommissarin Sophie Haas wird , anstatt auf eine höhere freie Stelle in Köln befördert zu werden, in ein Polizeikommissariat auf dem platten Land in der Eifel versetzt.
Die Serie lebt von den Charakteren und dem ungebremsten Aufprall des Stadtkindes Haas auf das klischeehaft zelebrierte Landleben. Die beiden neuen Untergebenen sind der biedere Dietmar Schäffer - verheiratet mit der resoluten und immer bestens informierten und neugierigen Hausfrau Heike, die die Hosen anhat - und die naiv-enthusiastische junge Bärbel Schmied. Alle Charaktere haben ihre Eigenarten. Auch die Nebenfiguren sind witzig - der sich immer einmischende pensionierte Ex-Chef mit seinen schnellen Vorurteilen, der Gynäkologe, der immer Herzinfarkt attestiert und und und.
This police comedy lives from the characters and the clash between city dweller Haas and the life and culture of the country side.
Haas is single at heart, enjoys driving fast and fashionable clothes. Besides that she can connect the dots and solve the crimes with the help of her new colleagues. Colleage Dietmar Schäffer is a rather meek and homely character, married to his wife Heike, who is well connected, very nosy and unlike her husband quite feisty. Young colleague Bärbel Schmied is naive, but enthusiastic with her heart in the right spot. Both colleagues address their pensioned ex-boss as boss when he happens to drop by at the police station to announce his prejudiced insights - and that happens often. There is the gynecologist, who always certifies a death to be a heart attack.
Eine ambitionierte und kompetente Kriminal-Kommissarin Sophie Haas wird , anstatt auf eine höhere freie Stelle in Köln befördert zu werden, in ein Polizeikommissariat auf dem platten Land in der Eifel versetzt.
Die Serie lebt von den Charakteren und dem ungebremsten Aufprall des Stadtkindes Haas auf das klischeehaft zelebrierte Landleben. Die beiden neuen Untergebenen sind der biedere Dietmar Schäffer - verheiratet mit der resoluten und immer bestens informierten und neugierigen Hausfrau Heike, die die Hosen anhat - und die naiv-enthusiastische junge Bärbel Schmied. Alle Charaktere haben ihre Eigenarten. Auch die Nebenfiguren sind witzig - der sich immer einmischende pensionierte Ex-Chef mit seinen schnellen Vorurteilen, der Gynäkologe, der immer Herzinfarkt attestiert und und und.
A Gem of a German Comedy
lschwendinge9 July 2023
The first twenty seven episodes of Mord mit Aussicht are truly sparkling comedy. Caroline Peters, Bjarne Mädel, Meike Droste and Petra Kleinert are a dream comedy team with perfect timing and chemistry. Each episode is expertly written to showcase a different aspect of the characters in a country village. The music is wonderful, from the opening theme through its many variations, the instrumental choices from banjo to hammer dulcimer are extremely inventive. The theme is an ear worm that delights every time one hears the unexpected rise of the melody in the second phrase. Bravo to all! I wish this team had made 50 more episodes together!
One Of The Best German TV Shows Ever!
nomis949 January 2016
What's the perfect translation for the show's title? "Murder with a view"? Anyway, this TV show is funny, uplifting, entertaining, captivating and very enjoyable. Hengasch is a strange village with strange people and I absolutely love it! Sophie Haas is a typical mid-thirty woman from a big city and Caroline Peters is just amazing in her role. The other main characters are great as well. Dietmar is such a lovely idiot and Bärbel with her wide-eyed temper is simply adorable. I really enjoy these completely different characters and how they solve the murder cases in awesome Hengasch.
The humour might be not everyone's taste - but I love it. It's not overstated, it's rather understated, snappy and kind of silly and foolish. I love the mixture! The three seasons really hooked me and the concluding TV movie "A Murder With A View" is a very nice conclusion.
Unfortunately, season 3 isn't as brilliant as the first two seasons. I couldn't get over the feeling that the producers (maybe new directors and writers) wanted to put more comedy into this show. It didn't really work for me. Some episodes are just dull and, well, filled with overstated situations. It's such a pity!
Nonetheless, I will visit Hengasch via my TV more than once. It's an enjoyable, fresh and unconventional crime series! Go watch it, folks!
The humour might be not everyone's taste - but I love it. It's not overstated, it's rather understated, snappy and kind of silly and foolish. I love the mixture! The three seasons really hooked me and the concluding TV movie "A Murder With A View" is a very nice conclusion.
Unfortunately, season 3 isn't as brilliant as the first two seasons. I couldn't get over the feeling that the producers (maybe new directors and writers) wanted to put more comedy into this show. It didn't really work for me. Some episodes are just dull and, well, filled with overstated situations. It's such a pity!
Nonetheless, I will visit Hengasch via my TV more than once. It's an enjoyable, fresh and unconventional crime series! Go watch it, folks!
Loved it
paulawmarshall10 August 2023
So much fun with a good mystery thrown in. I hope there are more than just 3 seasons as it's definitely a mood lifter! Great cast members also. My review was apparently to short so I'll write more.... Does anyone know of there are more seasons of this program? It's a good program with quirky characters which I love. I would like to have seen Sophie and Jan's relationship grow, as well as all the other characters in the show. It would be great to see what the new Mayor does with Hangash. I'm sure I spelled that wrong. I would love to see what Barbel and her baby develop into. Maybe a few new characters moving to town? It's a good show and I would recommend it to anyone who wants something lighthearted, good fun and and fun mystery. Enjoy!
Murder she ...
kosmasp12 December 2021
Well one thing is for sure: she didn't write it. And either she gravitated towards it or the murder gravitated towards her. Well that is something you could say or at least conclude. Of course this is a comedy show, so while there is murder, the overall theme and mood is rather funny.
As are the characters and the storylines. Having to move to a small town (or is it a village? I forget when you call what something - population wise), after being rejected a position she was aiming for and at - well it isn't the best start of a new relationship. But it is perfect for a show, with the known fish out of water formula. Or the stranger comes to town. In this case the female stranger ... but one that will learn to live and love that new life eventually ... or will she? Well I reckon there are things that can not be called surprises here.
The humor is spot on, if you like the way it is presented and do not mind dry and weird humor of course. 3 seasons full of mayhem and strangeness ... and a movie that followed after it ... and while the show might have a somewhat satisfying ending for some, the movie does give it all the extra edge. But more on that, on the movies page itself.
As are the characters and the storylines. Having to move to a small town (or is it a village? I forget when you call what something - population wise), after being rejected a position she was aiming for and at - well it isn't the best start of a new relationship. But it is perfect for a show, with the known fish out of water formula. Or the stranger comes to town. In this case the female stranger ... but one that will learn to live and love that new life eventually ... or will she? Well I reckon there are things that can not be called surprises here.
The humor is spot on, if you like the way it is presented and do not mind dry and weird humor of course. 3 seasons full of mayhem and strangeness ... and a movie that followed after it ... and while the show might have a somewhat satisfying ending for some, the movie does give it all the extra edge. But more on that, on the movies page itself.
Laughs uber alles
timstoreyceramics6 August 2023
We are watching this on MHz using the English subtitles and thoroughly enjoying it . We love th characters .. Sofia has a very mobile face that communicates her constant bewilderment of life in the " sticks". If I wanted to bribe Dietmar to get out of a speeding ticket I think cookies would do the trick. Dietmar's wife is a scream, " bulldozer" is far too mild a term ...bold and obtuse. We are looking forward to the rest of the series . Our preference is to buy DVDs and watch them at our leisure but I am unable to find DVDs with subtitles .. MHz has stopped selling DVDs perhaps the takeover by Kino Lorber I'll change this .
COMEDY I don't know who doesn't like this
reasonabledreams28 July 2023
Ensemble cast of 4 lead by Sophie, Caroline, a bright star. Light hearted, enjoyable. Who knew Germans could do light comedy. I love her smile, like the cat who ate the canary. I enjoy her outfits and see each season they give her a new color palette. For someone forced to stay who wants to get back to Cologne, she is kind and assimilates well. Commitment Phobic or maybe she just hasn't met the right guy.
Barbel is cute & socially naive. Both are astute Detectives. They like each other. Sophie lights up when they have a murder I like that her Dad who in real life has died, is portrayed as living in Poland with his young girlfriend.
2 episodes kept seeing Owls, one on the lit Polizei sign. A bit Surrealistic. They don't play too much loud music during scenes.
Season 4, The new Mayor has a one night stand, &doesn't tell Sophie his intentions before. What a Cad. Maybe family in Cologne. I guess he can Troll in Cologne for casual sex.
I don't take it seriously as a crime drama. But not bad. I've seen worse taking themselves seriously. One review hated the characters. Me, I like them.
Barbel is cute & socially naive. Both are astute Detectives. They like each other. Sophie lights up when they have a murder I like that her Dad who in real life has died, is portrayed as living in Poland with his young girlfriend.
2 episodes kept seeing Owls, one on the lit Polizei sign. A bit Surrealistic. They don't play too much loud music during scenes.
Season 4, The new Mayor has a one night stand, &doesn't tell Sophie his intentions before. What a Cad. Maybe family in Cologne. I guess he can Troll in Cologne for casual sex.
I don't take it seriously as a crime drama. But not bad. I've seen worse taking themselves seriously. One review hated the characters. Me, I like them.
excellent story line, perfect! cast...
staff-182221 April 2021
No no no
laduqesa27 June 2023
I managed to watch three episodes until I had had enough. The leaden humour, the stupid plots, the awful characters, the irritating music all conspired to turn me completely off.
Just a word about the plots. Firstly, I'm rubbish at whodunnits. But I saw through each and every one of the three episodes. In fact, episode three has two strands and I guessed what was going on in both of them. And these crimes were happening in a hamlet of a few hundred people!
It was just incongruous. Either play the investigations straight or make the comedy funny with proper jokes. This halfway house was just awful.
I deleted the lot. I'd advise others not to even bother acquiring this.
Just a word about the plots. Firstly, I'm rubbish at whodunnits. But I saw through each and every one of the three episodes. In fact, episode three has two strands and I guessed what was going on in both of them. And these crimes were happening in a hamlet of a few hundred people!
It was just incongruous. Either play the investigations straight or make the comedy funny with proper jokes. This halfway house was just awful.
I deleted the lot. I'd advise others not to even bother acquiring this.
Some laughs but not the best
Wookie_DH18 May 2020
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