In the 1950s, Commissaire Jules Maigret, a laconic, pipe-smoking French policeman, uses his profound knowledge of human nature to solve crimes. Volume 3 of the TV series Maigret (1991-2005), the definitive adaptation of the character created by novelist Georges Simenon, is available since March in France on DVD.
The set from Koba Films contains eight episodes of the 54 feature-length installments starring the great Bruno Cremer as the detective.
« Vous êtes exaspérant, Maigret. Vous savez toujours tout avant tout le monde. »
English producer
Steve Hawes, former head of drama at
Granada Television, and French producers
Eve Vercel and
Robert Nador of
Dune Production, devised
Maigret for French pubcaster
Antenne 2/
France 2 when the channel axed
Les enquêtes du commissaire Maigret (1967-1990) with
Jean Richard to give its familiar figure a fresh start. Movie, stage and TV actor
Bruno Cremer accepted the iconic role after due reflection, for 12 episodes only.
To radically differ from the previous version, the producers decided to
set theirs in the Fifties with a cinematic feel, hence a budget that
required co-production with Swiss and Belgian televisions, French
private channel
La 5 (declared bankrupt in 1992) and
EC Télévision Paris.
But also filming in Switzerland, Belgium, Czech Republic (which became
an essential production partner) or Finland. Even South Africa and Cuba
for some later entries.
Laurent Petitgirard composed and conducted the magnificent theme of
Maigret, and the superb music of most of the series. Semi-regular cast includes
Anne Bellec (
Mrs Maigret).
« Les détails. Faut jamais oublier les détails, Castaing. »
-
Maigret et la vieille dame (1994). Directed by
David Delrieux. Adapted by
Catherine Ramberg and David Delrieux from
Maigret and the Old Lady. A subtle confrontation between the detective and a lively old widow played by
Odette Laure. Also with
Béatrice Agenin (
Arlette),
Bernard Freyd (
Charles Besson),
Olivier Cruveiller (
Castaing), etc.
« Fred, un alcoolique qui ne boit plus c'est un type qui a caché sa bouteille; un voyou qui ne braque plus, c'est le même, qui a planqué son flingue. Le bonheur, c'est tout simplement du malheur qui sommeille. »
-
Maigret et la vente à la bougie (1994). Directed by
Pierre Granier-Deferre. Adapted by
Dominique Roulet and Pierre Granier-Deferre from
Under the Hammer. Sick while in province to question an inkeeper, Maigret must investigate the murder of a guest.
Etienne Chicot, the legendary
Daniel Gélin and
Michèle Moretti are amongst the guest stars of this very good episode (except for a clumsy dream sequence).
-
Les vacances de Maigret (1994). Directed by
Pierre Joassin. Adapted by Catherine Ramberg and
Pierre Joassin from
No Vacation for Maigret. Maigret and his wife are in Belgium to see her family when Mrs Maigret has appendicitis. A perfect showcase for the talented
Alain Doutey as
Dr Delaunay. The late
Ronny Coutteure is
Commissaire Mansuy.
Vincent Grass, who appeared in
Maigret chez les Flamands (1992) as another character, plays
Francis. Grass
dubbed Bruno Cremer in the last episode (Maigret et l'Étoile du nord, 2005) because of the actor's health issues.
- Maigret a peur (1995). Directed and adapted by Claude Goretta from Maigret Afraid. Maigret visits an old friend but the town is in shock after two murders. Even consummate professionals like Jean-Paul Roussillon, Didier Flamand and Raymond Gerôme can't save this installment shot in France from boredom.
- Maigret et l'affaire Saint-Fiacre (1995). Directed by Denys de la Patellière. Adapted by Alexandre and Denys de la Patellière from Maigret goes home. The commissaire returns to the village where he spent his youth because of a note announcing a crime. With the excellent Jacques Spiesser as the count of Saint-Fiacre and the formidable Jacques Sereys as Dr Bouchardon (« L'éphèbe évanescent en robe de chambre à ramages que vous avez vu apparaître au bas de l'escalier! ») Maigret at its best.
- Maigret et le port des brumes (1995). Directed by Charles Nemes. Adapted by Guy-Patrick Sainderichin from Death of a Harbourmaster. With Jean-Claude Dauphin (Grandmaison). A forgettable entry saved by some amusing scenes between Maigret and Verduret, played by Jean-Marie Cornille. Filmed in Ireland.
« Ari, tu sais bien que je ne pense pas. »
- Maigret en Finlande (1995). Co-produced by YLE TV1 Drama (Finnish Broadcasting Company). Helmed by Finnish director Pekka Parikka (The Winter War). Scriptwriter Bernard Marié, who worked on the series starring Jean Richard, brilliantly adapts A Crime in Holland to bring back Maigret in Finland after Maigret et le fantôme (1994). Timmo Torikka returns as Inspector Ari. Robin Renucci portrays Jean Duclos, a funny Agatha Christie-esque criminologist and wannabe amateur sleuth in a case where he's the main suspect.
- Maigret tend un piège (1996). Directed by Czech helmer Jujaj Herz. Adapted by Bernard Marié from Maigret sets a trap. A little better than Herz's previous effort (La tête d'un homme). Maigret wants to catch a serial killer in Paris. With Bruno Todeschini (Moncin). Comedian Élie Sémoun plays a reporter.
See also:
