Detective Montalbano: Episodes 1-3

We live in the golden age of great European detectives on television. From Midsomer Murders in the UK, to Wallander in Sweden, to the incomparable David Suchet as Poirot, American audiences have no shortage of great detective procedurals to choose from. To that list one can now add the wonderful Inspector Salvo Montalbano.Based on a series of bestselling novels in Italy by Andrea Camilleri, the Montalbano novels have been lovingly adapted for television by RAI, the Italian state television network. Set in a fictional small town in Sicily, the series revolves around the title character, who is chief of the town's police force. Played by Luca Zingaretti (who is brilliant in the role), Montalbano solves murders he encounters in the course of daily life in his pleasant, slow-paced seaside town. The genius of Camilleri's storytelling is that nothing is ever as cut-and-dried as it seems. Rather, seemingly random, "garden variety" murders unlock psychologically complex, multi-layered mysteries which touch upon major issues confronting contemporary Italian society: child refugees, human trafficking, drugs, organized crime, etc. Camilleri is well known in Italy for his strong interest in these issues, and frequently said he viewed the Montalbano series as a vehicle for calling them to the attention of a wider audience.But as deep and meticulously plotted as the mysteries themselves are, they're not even the main reason to watch. Rather, what makes this series so compulsively watchable are the wonderful characters, and the incredible sense of place. Salvo Montalbano is one of the most interesting detective characters on television: not a famous, self-proclaimed genius like Poirot; or a bitter, alienated genius like the great fictional Scandinavian detectives Wallander or Harry Hole. Rather, he's a likable everyman whose defining qualities are his integrity and sense of decency. He solves incredibly complex cases not with flights of genius, but through common sense and a subtle understanding of human nature.Montalbano's appealing character is illuminated by his interactions with a recurring cast of other characters, whose personalities are drawn with equal skill. Prominently featured are the police officers who work at the station with him: Mimi, his insecure second-in-command (and best friend) who frequently turns to Salvo for relationship advice; Fazio, Montalbano's trusted young protege; and Catarella, a bumbling but good-hearted police constable whose incompetence everyone tolerates. Then there is Livia, Montalbano's northern Italian girlfriend, who invariably arrives for a surprise visit in every episode and gets involved in the case he is working on. Portrayed by the beautiful Austrian actress Katharina Bohm, Livia is the polar opposite of Salvo Montalbano in every way: she is a tall, blonde-haired, blue-eyed university graduate who works as an architect in Turin, one of northern Italy's largest cities; Salvo is a compact, olive-skinned small town police chief from the southernmost part of Italy. Notwithstanding their differences, the chemistry between the two characters is wonderful. Even when they argue (as they frequently do) over Salvo's unwillingness to make a long-term commitment, it's never anything other than genuine and entertaining. And in their love scenes, they talk the way real couples talk in bed.Finally, one must note the spectacularly beautiful Italian setting of the series. The natural beauty of coastal Sicily is perfectly rendered on screen: one can almost feel the salt air outside Salvo's beachside apartment, or smell the fresh fish frying at the local trattoria where Salvo has lunch each day. And speaking of food, not since Nero Wolfe has a fictional detective been so focused on eating well. Salvo Montalbano is a devoted partisan of homestyle Sicilian cooking, and we frequently get to watch him enjoying his meals, whether with others, or preparing pasta dishes for himself in his apartment.This boxed DVD set contains the first three episodes of the Montalbano series. The episodes are in Italian with English subtitles, and I had no trouble following the story. (This being Italy, of course, the hand gestures and facial expressions are a key part of how the characters express themselves!) Of the three episodes, I particularly recommend the second episode, The Voice of the Violin, which is one of the best and most complex murder whodunits I have ever watched: a haunting story which will remain with you long after you watch it.Bravo, Montalbano!

Lots of twists & turns in storyline. Great look at Italian culture & beautiful views of Sicily.

The Montalbano thing: there's Italy, there's murder, mayhem, sex, he lives on the beach & is surrounded by a motley crew of stooges (as in "Three...") who speak Italian ... except when their faces and bodies speak a universal, human language. His superiors act a little better, but they think much worse & have nowhere near the integrity of Montalbano's supporting officers.And there's food. Well, that doesn't make it to the video anywhere near as well as it does in the books (or in Babette's Feast), alas. But still, he does eat & he does seem to enjoy -- however briefly (compared to the books, where the dishes fairly leap from the pages.)This is lovely, lyrical stuff. Montalbano is a fascinating character, and Zingaretti does him justice (though I wasn't initially convinced ... having read the books before seeing these ... Zingaretti wasn't what I'd envisioned. By about the third episode I bought into his version... mostly.) The rest of the characters are at their best in the early episodes. They become a bit predictable as the series progresses ... but it's not a huge detriment overall, since they've been fairly well translated from Camilleri's vision, and there's variation and growth. They either grow in their own way, move things along, or get out of the way soon enough. Livia almost completely disappears (alas) except via the phone. This is true also in the books ... as if Camilleri couldn't figure a way out of the relationship that was honest. So she's there, available, and her voice drops in once and awhile to chirp away. But it is the overall relationships of characters (cops, criminals, victims)and Italy (Sicily, more specifically) that creates the drama.I generally don't have the patience to sustain a long-term relationship with a TV series, but this has joined the ranks of a few such rare treats. And, oddly, I enjoy watching the episode & reading the book -- or vice-versa, as long as there's a little time between them. Each seems to come with a distinct difference that complements the other ... I find that rare.Some episodes are better than others (and some of the books are better than others), but they are all eminently watchable. And mostly re-watchable -- another thing I do here -- but seldom anywhere else. Beware, however: they will make you desperate to visit Sicily and to learn Italian. And visit an Italy that has nearly deserted streets (not sure how that happens, but random civilians don't seem to exist in these stories. It's a little piece of reality that novels don't have to deal with...) And they will usually make you hungry.

Los capítulos de Montalbano tienen éxito porque presentan elementos de vida cotidiana del sur de Italia, el deleite por la comida regional es un tópico frecuente en la serie, pasando situaciones dramáticas y cómicas. representativa de la esencia italiana pero principalmente de Sicilia. Soy un eterno aprendiz del idioma italiano, pero esta serie y su secuela del Joven Montalbano nos muestran algo del Dialettu, entremezclado con el italiano. En este caso la serie lleva subtítulos en inglés, originalmente la había visto en el canal de cable o satélite Europa Europa con subtítulos en castellano; no entiendo totalmente el italiano pero es un deleite ver esta serie; no vi todos las capítulos en televisión y puedo conseguir algunos aquí en Amazon, para verlos como parte de mi colección de videos. Es diferente a otras series italianas de corte policíaco, es simplemente muy interesante, entretenido y con un estilo único.

Ever since BBC4 had a Montalbano on at Christmas 2010, we have really enjoyed them. My husband speaks Italian, but I don't, so I rely on the sub titles, but the joy is often in the Italian slang which I am getting the hang of (tu rompe mes cogliones, Mimi! - sorry for bad spelling). Nice and slow paced - perfect for an evening's relaxation.

This DVD contains the same episodes as the 'Inspector Monteblano Collection One'. This is not made clear o the Amazon website. When attempting to contact the supplier 'All Your Music' they kept repeating that the order number I quoted was incorrect. It was however correct and it appeared that the supplier was being intentionally obtuse in failing to asiist in my request to return the item,

I am Canadian, I married a Sicilian and love sicilian culture. I wanted to surprise my hubby with a story set in Sicily...he loves it especially some of the Sicilian dialect that is sometimes expressed! I love the main character...such a wonderful change from American crime drama's...Luca Zingaretti captures this lead character with such passion you feel like you are part of the story. I highly recommend this series...bought the whole set...couldn't resist!

Very human likeable detective. Great setting. Good storyline. Even in Italian with subtitles in English, the stories are gripping. Only downside, the series are expensive!