THE OLD FOX (DER ALTE) - SEASON 12 ON DVD (ELEPHANT FILMS)

Season 12 of the long-running German crime drama The Old Fox (Der Alte) is now available in France on DVD in the "Le Renard - Intégrale saison 12" boxset from Elephant Films (All Zone, 12 episodes).

Der Alte ("The Old Man") was launched in 1977 on ZDF by producer Helmut Ringelmann as the successor to Der Kommissar, the popular series made by his company Neue Münchner Fernsehproduktion for the pubcaster. Set in Munich, Der Kommissar ran from 1969 to 1976 and starred Erik Ode as Kommissar Herbert Keller. The first Freitagskrimi (1) of the channel lasted 97 episodes, all penned by Herbert Reinecker. The scriptwriter also wrote each of the 281 episodes of Derrick, a crime drama devised by Ringelmann and Reinecker as an alternative to Der Kommissar (2) — though set in Munich too — and aired on ZDF from 1974 to 1998. 

 

Produced by Neue Münchner for ZDF, ORF (Austria) and SRG (Switzerland), Der Alte employed several authors. Writer and producer Hans Gottschalk (Raumpatrouille Orion) conceived the main character, Hauptkommissar Erwin Köster (3) of the Munich Mordkommission II (Homicide Squad II). Siegfried Lowitz, a familiar face from the Edgar Wallace movies, became the "new Kommissar". Erwin Köster was given assistants: Gerd Heymann, played by Michael Ande (Fußballtrainer Wulff, Treasure Island), and Martin Brenner (Jan Hendriks, another Edgar Wallace regular) (4). Der Alte premiered on Easter 1977 with a pilot titled Die Dienstreise, written by Oliver Storz (Raumpatrouille Orion) & Jochen Wedegärtner (Graf Yoster gibt sich die Ehre) and directed by Johannes Schaaf. 

 

Karl Heinz Willschrei, one of the scriptwriters of the series, co-created Ein Fall für zwei (1981-2013) for ZDF. At the end of 1984, Siegfried Lowitz expressed his desire to leave Der Alte with the 100th episode (aired in January 1986) and return to theatre. Helmut Ringelmann gave the role of the new boss of Mordkomission II, Hauptkommissar Leo Kress, to Rolf Schimpf. Ringelmann noticed the actor in Der Sheriff von Lisenbach (1984) and first hired him in Mensch Bachmann, a family series he produced the same year. Schimpf was no stranger to the crime genre because he played Waldi Zeldmann in  SOKO 5113 since 1978. Gerd Heymann remained but Martin Brenner got transferred. The Polizeiarzt  ("police doctor") played by Ulf J. Sohmisch since 1983 stayed a few years more but never got a proper name.

 

Leo Kress came from Augsburg with his own assistant, Henry Johnson. This black detective (a first in the history of German TV) was based on a real-life black investigator from the Munich police named Raimund Eichner and he was portrayed by Charles M. Huber (credited Charly Muhamed Huber). A new theme intro, composed by Eberhard Schoener, replaced the theme by Peter Thomas. Sold in more than 100 countries, Der  Alte arrived in France in 1987 as Le Renard and is still aired today (on France 3). The "Le Renard - Intégrale Saison 12" 6-disc DVD boxset contains the 12 episodes of this absolutely perfect 12th season, shown on ZDF between January and December 1988. Helmut Ringelmann liked to work with a quasi-repertory company of guest actors, who often appeared twice in the same season (in different roles).

- Kein gutes Ende. The owner of a supermarket is blackmailed. A young man dies because of a jar of pickles poisoned with cyanide. An excellent episode written by Volker Vogeler and directed by Eberhard Itzenplitz. Bettina Redlich returns as Leo's daughter Sabine Kress. With Horst Sachtleben (Werner Meridit), Sebastian Koch (Hansi Wallner), Jessica Kosmalla (Hilda Wallner). Ulrich Matschoss, best known as the boss of Schimanski in Tatort, plays Schmetterling.

- Schweigen für immer. A man about to meet the prosecutor dies from a heart attack after his kidnapping. The kidnapper gets rid of the body but a young woman sees him. Scriptwriter  Bruno Hampel borrowed most of the story of this brilliant episode from his own work for an episode of Kommissar Freytag (1963-1966). With Walter Renneisen (Max Brandstetter), Ben Becker (Markus Pagel), Henry van Lyck (Arno Tucher), etc. Directed by Theodor Grädler.

- Der Tod kommt sellten allein. The recovery of some stolen jewelry is interrupted by a bomb explosion. Once again, an excellent episode written by Volker Vogeler and helmed by Eberhard Itzenplitz. Guest starring Daniela Ziegler (Vanessa Telt), Peter Bongartz (Peter Nordmann), Ralf Schermuly (Fred Bugat), etc. Leonard Lansink (Willsberg) appears in a small role.

- Eiskalt geplant. Karla Unruh is found hanged. She was terminally ill and her husband had a mistress. Christa-Maria Bandmann devised a clever plot for the first of the 17 episodes she penned for Der Alte. With Gerd Böckmann (Matthias Unruh), Marianne Wentwich (Karla Unruh), Sabine Kaack (SOKO 5113) as Solveigh Björklund, etc. Music by Martin Böttcher (the Winnetou movies). Directed by Günter Gräwert.

- Um jeden Preis. Secretary Rita Steeger is taking pictures of the plans of a submarine when she's surprised by the private investigator hired by her company. A spy thriller written by Volker Vogeler and helmed by Wolfgang Becker. The guest cast is impressive: Christine Buchegger (Aus dem Leben der Marionetten) as Rita, Karl-Heinz Vosgerau (Dr. Hensold), the great Hans-Michael Rehberg (Johan Altig), Swiss actor Christian Kohlund (Der Zürich-Krimi, Black Forest Clinic) as Lars Lindström and Horst Sachtleben (Hans Passauer).

- Brief eines Toten. The personal assistant of a best-selling author dies in the explosion of his caravan. Adolf Schröder and Günter Gräwert penned this excellent episode directed by Gräwert. With Sonja Sutter (Isolde Schilling), Udo Vioff (Heinrich Schilling), Franziska Walser (Marlis Lachmann), Sven Eric Bechtolf (Theodor Lachmann), Karl-Heinz von Hassel (Tatort) as Heinz Jacob, Eva Maria Bauer (Black Forest Clinic) as Mrs Breitner, Carin C. Tietze, etc.

- Der Tod des Uhrmachers. A watchmaker is killed during a robbery. Chased by the police forces, the robber is shot dead by Gerd. Michael Ande is given an opportunity to shine in this episode written by Volker Vogeler and helmed by Zbyněk Brynych. With Jessica Kosmalla (Monika Valentin), Cordula Trantow (Gerda Staller), Uli Krohm (Werner Staller), Ulli Kinalzik (Peter Herling), etc.

- Der Haß der Verlierer. There's a heatwave in Munich and a woman is found strangled in her appartment. The two suspects are her ex-husband and a Turkish immigrant. A brilliant episode about racism written by Leopold Ahlsen and directed by Zbyněk Brynych. The performance of Will Danin as Kerem Ödüm is remarkable. Last appearance of Bettina Redlich as Sabine Kress. The actress returned in Der Alte as different characters in 2009 and 2014. With Stefan Behrens (Kurt Berger) and Christiane Hammacher (Edith, Leo's ex-wife).

- Ein unaufhaltsames Ende. A high school teacher is murdered. Penned by Volker Vogeler, at his best this season, and directed by Helmuth Ashley. Evelyn Opela (who married Helmut Ringelmann in 1986) plays Monika Burgdof. With Hans Michael Rehberg (Burgdof),  Carin C. Tietze (Nora Falk), Amadeus August (Gerhard Becker), Eva Maria Bauer (Mrs Nagel), etc.

- Der Freispruch. A high-profile trial ends with an acquittal. The 50th script written by Volker Vogeler for Der Alte (5). With Gerd Böckmann (Christian Weigelt), Christiane Kruger (Katja Weigelt), Peter Fricke (Hubert Schatz), Christian Kohlund (Florian Balsam), Anja Jaennicke (Lisa Lottke), Pierre Franckh (Peter Lotke), etc. Werner Schnitzer (Koch) later played Hahne in Siska (1998-2008), the successor to Derrick  (6). Music by composer, singer and hit maker Frank Duval. Directed by Alfred Weidenmann.

- Blackout. An old man hears a gunshot in the middle of the night. A jigsaw puzzle crafted by Christa-Maria Bandmann and directed by Günter Gräwert. With Angelica Domröse (Britta Lambert), Jürgen Schmidt (Konrad Lambert), Jürgen Heinrich (Wolffs Revier) as Dr. Arno Schneider, etc. Music by Dietmar Kawohl and Mats Björklund.

- Ein ganz gewöhnlicher Mord. The wife of Rudolf Ballat is shot dead by a rifle. An astute script by Volker Vogeler. With Klaus Schwarzkopf (Rudolf Ballat),  Elfriede Kuzmany (Lisa Ballat), Ullrich Haupt (Hugo von Bantwig), Wolfgang Wahl (Hermann Arnsweiler), Ben Becker (Peter Arnsweiler), etc. Directed by Alfred Weidenmann.

In 1998, Leo Kress and his men appeared in the final episode of Derrick. Kress retired at the end of the 322nd episode (2007) but Rolf Schimpf returned as the ex-detective in Episode 340. He was succeeded by Walter Kreye as Hauptkommissar Rolf Herzog (2008-2012) and Jan-Gregor Kremp (Hauptkommissar Richard Voss, 2012-2022). Michael Ande decided to leave the series in 2016 after 39 years as Gerd Heymann. Charles M. Huber left in 1997 and was replaced by Pierre Sanoussi-Bliss as Axel Richter until 2015. Huber changed career for politics and humanitarian work. 

 

The episodes of the "Le Renard - Intégrale Saison 12" boxset are in French and in German (without subtitles). Bonus material consists of a photo gallery and the trailers of some other titles of Elephant Films, like Rue barrée, Nana, La voie Jackson, Les visiteurs (the 1980 French sci-fi series) and Noires sont les galaxies. The 47th season of Der Alte starts this month on ZDF and soon actor Thomas Heinze will arrive as Hauptkommissar Caspar Bergmann, the successor of Hauptkommissar Richard Voss.

(1) Friday crime drama.

(2) Unlike Der Kommissar, Derrick was filmed in colour and produced by Helmut Ringelmann's other company Telenova for ZDF, ORF and SRG.

(3) http://krimiserien.heimat.eu/a/der_alte_hintergrund.htm

(4) The team was later completed by Meyer Zwo (Wolgang Zerlett, 1979-1987), Löwinger (Jan Meyer, 1985-1986) and Marküs Böttcher as Werner Riedmann (1986-2015).

(5) http://krimiserien.heimat.eu/a/der_alte_133.htm

(6) Produced by Helmut Ringelmann.

 

https://fr.shopping.rakuten.com/mfp/8675678/le-renard?pid=9882800208

http://www.elephantfilms.com/

https://fr.shopping.rakuten.com/boutique/ElephantFilm

http://www.eberhard-schoener.de/

http://www.frankduval.com/

 

See also:

 

https://tattard2.blogspot.com/2022/12/the-old-fox-der-alte-season-11-on-dvd.html

https://tattard2.blogspot.com/2022/08/the-old-fox-der-alte-season-10-on-dvd.html

THE OLD FOX (DER ALTE) - SEASON 11 ON DVD (ELEPHANT FILMS)

Season 11 of the long-running German crime drama The Old Fox (Der Alte) is now available in France on DVD in the "Le Renard - Intégrale saison 11" boxset from Elephant Films (All Zone, 12 episodes).

Der Alte ("The Old Man") was launched in 1977 on ZDF by producer Helmut Ringelmann as the successor to Der Kommissar, a series made by his company Neue Münchner Fernsehproduktion for the pubcaster. Set in Munich, Der Kommissar ran from 1969 to 1976 and starred Erik Ode as Kommissar Herbert Keller. The first Freitagskrimi (1) of the channel lasted 97 episodes, all penned by Herbert Reinecker. The scriptwriter also wrote each of the 281 episodes of Derrick, a crime drama devised by Ringelmann and Reinecker as an alternative to Der Kommissar (2) — though set in Munich too — and aired on ZDF from 1974 to 1998. 

 

Produced by Neue Münchner for ZDF, ORF (Austria) and SRG (Switzerland), Der Alte employed several authors. Writer and producer Hans Gottschalk (Raumpatrouille Orion) conceived the main character, Hauptkommissar Erwin Köster (3) of the Munich Mordkommission II (Homicide Squad II). Siegfried Lowitz, a familiar face from the Edgar Wallace movies, became the "new Kommissar". Erwin Köster was given assistants: Gerd Heymann, played by Michael Ande (Fußballtrainer Wulff, Treasure Island), and Martin Brenner (Jan Hendriks, another Edgar Wallace regular) (4). Der Alte premiered on Easter 1977 with a pilot titled Die Dienstreise, written by Oliver Storz (Raumpatrouille Orion) & Jochen Wedegärtner (Graf Yoster gibt sich die Ehre) and directed by Johannes Schaaf. 

 

Karl Heinz Willschrei, one of the scriptwriters of the series, co-created Ein Fall für zwei (1981-2013) for ZDF. At the end of 1984, Siegfried Lowitz expressed his desire to leave Der Alte with the 100th episode (aired in January 1986) and return to theatre. Helmut Ringelmann gave the role of the new boss of Mordkomission II, Hauptkommissar Leo Kress, to Rolf Schimpf. Ringelmann noticed the actor in Der Sheriff von Lisenbach (1984) and first hired him in Mensch Bachmann, a family series he produced the same year. Schimpf was no stranger to the crime genre because he played Waldi Zeldmann in  SOKO 5113 since 1978. Gerd Heymann remained but Martin Brenner got transferred. The Polizeiarzt  ("police doctor") played by Ulf J. Sohmisch since 1983 stayed a few years more but never got a proper name.

 

Leo Kress came from Augsburg with his own assistant, Henry Johnson. This black detective (a first in the history of German TV) was based on a real-life black investigator from the Munich police named Raimund Eichner and he was portrayed by Charles M. Huber (credited Charly Muhamed Huber). A new theme intro, composed by Eberhard Schoener, replaced the theme by Peter Thomas. Sold in more than 100 countries, Der  Alte arrived in France in 1987 as Le Renard. The "Le Renard - Intégrale Saison 11" 6-disc DVD boxset contains the 12 episodes of this almost perfect 11th season, shown on ZDF between January and December 1987.

- Tod eines Piraten. A young man tries to break into his own house. A great episode written by Volker Vogeler and directed by Zbyněk Brynych, with excellent performances from Claude-Oliver Rudolph (Fritz) and Christoph Eichorn (Patrick Killian). Werner Schnitzer (Ruprecht) later played Hahne in Siska (1998-2008), the successor to Derrick  (5). Tobias Ringelmann, Helmut's son, appears in the (fictional) film at the beginning.

- Der sanfte Tod. A couple calls the police because their neighbour  has been listening loudly to the same song for hours. Scriptwriters Günter Gräwert (who also helmed this episode) and Adolf Schröder tackle homosexuality. The song used as a leitmotiv is Why by composer, singer and hit maker Frank Duval. Duval worked regularly for both Derrick and Der Alte. With Tobias Hoesl (Jens), Eva Kryll (Barbara), Edgar Selge (Erich), Enzi Fuchs (Mrs Heinzen) and a pre-Tatort Miroslav Nemec.

- Die Abrechnung. It's laundry day for Kress and his daughter Sabine (Bettina Redlich) when a young woman falls from a window. This death is related to a murder and drug trafficking in Malaysia. Written by Volker Vogeler and directed by Zbyněk Brynych. Tobias Hoesl returns in a different role. With Ursula Karven.

- Tod von Schalterschluß. Journalist, novelist and scriptwriter Max Pierre Schaeffer wrote this brilliant episode directed by Günter Gräwert. A bank robber kills a woman during a hold-up. Evelyn Opela (Mrs Helmut Ringelmann) plays Gitta Graf. Gert Burkhard  appeared in many episodes of Der Alte and Derrick, in different roles. The end title song is called Speech Behind Speech (1978). It's one of the collaborations of Eberhard Schoener with Sting, Andy Summers and later Stewart Copeland before The Police became famous.

- Wie das Leben so spielt. A photograph witnesses a double murder. An excellent episode written by Volker Vogeler and directed by Dietrich Haugk. Guest starring Eleonore Weisgerber, Ralf Schermuly, Udo Schenk, Ulli Kinalzik, etc.

- Werwischte Spuren. The firemen receive a strange emergency phone call. Rosel Zech (Veronika Voss, Lola) plays Gabrielle Lohmann. With Sven Eric Bechtolf and Enzi Fuchs. Written and directed by Günter Gräwert.

- Ultimo. A fabulous episode penned by Volker Vogeler and helmed by Zbyněk Brynych. Albert Kozak (Ulrich Haupt) is back from hospital after a murder attempt. Swiss actor Christian Kohlund (Der Zürich-Krimi, Black Forest Clinic) is Holger Kozak. With Susanne Uhlen, Gerd Baltus, Gerd Burkhard, etc. The song heard during the superb ending is Rhine-Bow (1978) by Eberard Schoener with Sting, Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland.

- Ein teuflischer Plan.  Another gem from Volker Vogeler, directed by Alfred Weidenmann. An accountant kills himself in his office and a bankrupt man is found dead by his wife. Edgar Selge returns in a different role. With Reinhild Solf, Harald Leipnitz, Peter Bongartz, Lisa Kreuzer, Gerd Burkhard, etc.

- Die letzte Nacht. Sentenced for rape, Hans Steiger (Will Danin) is released after years in jail. With Christine Buchegger, Sissy Höfferer, Beate Finck, Esther Hausmann, Ulli Kinalzik, etc. The melancholic song of this episode is I Want To Be Free, composed by Günther Ress and performed by Edna Bejarano.

- Alibi: Mozart. Max Pierre Schaefer and Günther Gräwert team up for this classic about the murder of a pianist directed by Zbyněk Brynych. Second guest role of Evelyn Opela this season. Also with Gerd Böckmann, Anja Jaenicke, Franz Boehm, Tommi Piper, etc.

- Der Stichtag. A conundrum from Max Pierre Schaefer and Günther Gräwert, directed by the latter. A company director takes a night train with his secretary. With Udo Vioff, a frequent guest star of Der Alte and Derrick.

- Mord ist Mord. A supermarket manager and his mistress are surprised by two robbers. Penned by Volker Vogeler and helmed by Zbyněk Brynych. Rosel Zech is back in a different role. With Thekla Carola Wied, Winfried Glatzeder, Philipp Moog, etc.

In 1998, Leo Kress and his men appeared in the final episode of Derrick. Kress retired at the end of the 322nd episode (2007) but Rolf Schimpf returned as the ex-detective in Episode 340. He was succeeded by Walter Kreye as Hauptkommissar Rolf Herzog (2008-2012) and Jan-Gregor Kremp (Hauptkommissar Richard Voss, 2012-2022). Michael Ande decided to leave the series in 2016 after 39 years as Gerd Heymann. Charles M. Huber left in 1997 and was replaced by Pierre Sanoussi-Bliss as Axel Richter until 2015. Huber changed career for politics and humanitarian work. 

 

The episodes of the "Le Renard - Intégrale Saison 11" boxset are in French and in German (without subtitles). Bonus material consists of a photo gallery and the trailers of some other titles of Elephant Films, like Hunter (with Fred Dryer), Fantasy Island, Commissaire Moulin, Ein Fall für zwei and Derrick. Next year Thomas Heinze will be the new Hauptkommissar of Der Alte.

(1) Friday crime drama.

(2) Unlike Der Kommissar, Derrick was filmed in colour and produced by Helmut Ringelmann's other company Telenova for ZDF, ORF and SRG.

(3) http://krimiserien.heimat.eu/a/der_alte_hintergrund.htm

(4) The team was later completed by Meyer Zwo (Wolgang Zerlett, 1979-1987), Löwinger (Jan Meyer, 1985-1986) and Marküs Böttcher as Werner Riedmann (1986-2015).

(5) Produced by Helmut Ringelmann.

 

https://fr.shopping.rakuten.com/mfp/8675678/le-renard?pid=9447879370o435moyjUR8c2HjF3j8

http://www.elephantfilms.com/

https://fr.shopping.rakuten.com/boutique/ElephantFilm

http://www.eberhard-schoener.de/

http://www.frankduval.com/

 

See also: 

 

https://tattard2.blogspot.com/2022/10/derrick-season-3-on-dvd-elephant-films.html (Derrick - Season 3 on DVD)

https://tattard2.blogspot.com/2022/06/derrick-seasons-1-2-french-region-2-dvd.html (Derrick - Seasons 1 & 2 on DVD)

https://tattard2.blogspot.com/2022/10/a-case-for-two-ein-fall-fur-zwei-season.html (Ein Fall für zwei - Season 2 on DVD)

https://tattard2.blogspot.com/2022/06/a-case-for-two-ein-fall-fur-zwei-season.html (Ein Fall für zwei - Season 1 on DVD)

THE OLD FOX (DER ALTE) - SEASON 10 ON DVD (ELEPHANT FILMS)

The long-running German crime drama The Old Fox (Der Alte) is now available in France on DVD, starting with its 10th season, in the "Le Renard - Intégrale saison 10" boxset from Elephant Films (All Zone, 12 episodes).

Der Alte ("The Old Man") was launched in 1977 on ZDF by producer Helmut Ringelmann as the successor to Der Kommissar, a series made by his company Neue Münchner Fernsehproduktion for the pubcaster. Set in Munich, Der Kommissar ran from 1969 to 1976. It starred Erik Ode as Kommissar Herbert Keller, a father figure to his team of investigators inspired by Maigret. The first Freitagskrimi (1) of the channel lasted 97 episodes, all penned by Herbert Reinecker. This prolific scriptwriter also wrote each of the 281 episodes of Derrick, a crime drama devised by Ringelmann with Reinecker as an alternative to Der Kommissar (2) — though once again set in Munich — and shown on ZDF from 1974 to 1998. 

 

Produced by Neue Münchner for ZDF, ORF (Austria) and SRG (Switzerland), Der Alte employed several authors. Writer and producer Hans Gottschalk (Raumpatrouille Orion) conceived the main character, Hauptkommissar Erwin Köster (3) of the Munich Mordkommission II (Homicide Squad II). Siegfried Lowitz, a familiar face from the Edgar Wallace films, became the "new Kommissar". Erwin Köster was given assistants: Gerd Heymann, played by Michael Ande (Fußballtrainer Wulff, Treasure Island), and Martin Brenner (Jan Hendriks, another Edgar Wallace regular) (4). Henning Schlüter was Köster's chief, Kriminalrat Franz Millinger. Der Alte premiered on Easter 1977 with a 94-minute pilot titled Die Dienstreise, written by Oliver Storz (Raumpatrouille Orion) & Jochen Wedegärtner (Graf Yoster gibt sich die Ehre) and directed by Johannes Schaaf. 

 

Der Alte schlägt zweimal zu, an episode written and helmed by French novelist/filmmaker José Giovanni, stirred controversy for the methods used by the detectives in the story. Karl Heinz Willschrei, one of the scriptwriters of the series, co-created Ein Fall für zwei (1981-2013) for ZDF. At the end of 1984, Siegfried Lowitz expressed his desire to leave Der Alte with the 100th episode (aired in January 1986) and return to theatre. Helmut Ringelmann gave the role of the new boss of Mordkomission II, Hauptkommissar Leo Kress, to Rolf Schimpf. Ringelmann noticed the actor in Der Sheriff von Lisenbach (1984) and first hired him in Mensch Bachmann, a family series he produced the same year. Schimpf was no stranger to the crime genre because he played Waldi Zeldmann in  SOKO 5113 since 1978.

Gerd Heymann remained but Martin Brenner got transferred. The Polizeiarzt  ("police doctor") played by Ulf J. Sohmisch since 1983 stayed a few years more but never got a proper name. Leo Kress came from Augsburg with his own assistant, Henry Johnson. This black detective (a first in the history of German TV) was based on a real-life black investigator from the Munich police named Raimund Eichner and he was portrayed by Charles M. Huber (credited Charly Muhamed Huber). A new theme intro, composed by Eberhard Schoener, replaced the theme by Peter Thomas. Sold in more than 100 countries, Der  Alte arrived in France in 1987 as Le Renard. The French dubbing of the Erwin Köster era being unaivalable, Elephant Films releases Der Alte on DVD in France from its 10th season. The "Le Renard - Intégrale Saison 10" 6-disc DVD boxset contains the following episodes:

- Zwei Leben. The great 100th episode was written by Adolf Schröder & Günter Gräwert, who helmed it. Köster and Heymann investigate the disappearance of a woman from Gerd's circle of friends. Katja Flint, Friedrich von Thun (Die Verbrechen des Professor Capellari), Sven Eric Bechtolf and a pre-fame Christoph Waltz are amongst the guest stars. In German with subtitles.

 

- Sein erster Fall (69 minutes). A brilliant first case for Leo Kress written by Leopold Ahlsen, Volker Vogeler and Günter Gräwert under the pseudonym of Tobias Bertram. Gräwert directed the episode. A man arrested by Erwin Köster years ago is released from prison. With Klaus Löwitsch (Welt am Draht, Peter Strohm), Amadeus August and Evelyn Opela (who married Helmut Ringelmann in 1986). Last episode with Martin Brenner. Volker Vogeler wrote 181 episodes of Der Alte. In German with subtitles.

- Das Attentat. An excellent episode written by Volker Vogeler and directed by Zbyněk Brynych. The return of an old acquaintance from Kress's Augsburg days is part of a machiavellian plan. Wilfried Klaus (Behrend) was a regular of SOKO 5113/SOKO München from 1978 to 2009. First appearance of Bettina Redlich as Leo's daughter Sabine. With Herbert Stass and Peter Kuiper. In French or in German (without subtitles).

 

- Der Mord auf Zimmer 49. A man (Manfred Zapatka) who spent several years behind bars is suspected of the murder of a hotel chambermaid. Written by Bruno Hampel (Polizeifunk ruft, Kommissar Freytag) and helmed by Günter Gräwert. Third appearance of Gert Burkhard this season, in different roles. In French or in German (without subtitles).

 

- Der Trugschluß. Written by Volker Vogeler and directed by Theodor Grädler. Kress and his colleagues investigate in a market hall. With Jutta Speidel, Hans Georg Panczak and a young Hannes Jaenicke. In French or in German (without subtitles).

 

- Terzett in Gold. Written by Bruno Hampel and helmed by Wolfgang Becker. With Jochen Horst and Rainer Hunold before Balko and Ein Fall für zwei. Rosel Zech (Veronika Voss, Lola) plays Helma Köhler. The lady in the train is played by Eva Maria Bauer (Die Schwarzwaldklinik). In French or in German (without subtitles).

- Gigolo ist tot. A splendid work by Volker Vogeler. Two burglars find a dead body and Kress faces a devious adversary. Günter Lamprecht plays a Columbo-esque (and racist) villain. First appearance of Marküs Böttcher as Werner Riedmann, a role he played for 29 years. With Bettina Redlich (Sabine), Claude-Oliver Rudolph, Anja Jaenicke, etc. Directed by Dietrich Haugk. In French or in German (without subtitles). 

 

- Killer gesucht.  A chemist (Udo Vioff) has the bad idea to hire Henry to kill his wife (Christiane Hörbiger). Meanwhile, the new girlfriend of the wife's younger lover is shot dead in the street. Penned by Volker Vogeler and helmed by Alfred Weidenmann. In French or in German (without subtitles). 

- Tödliche Freundschaft. A bank robbery is a strange way to reconnect with an old school friend. Written and directed by Günter Gräwert. Based on an idea by Adolf Schröder, this episode is carried by the performances of Peter Sattmann (Hans) and Walter Renneisen (Ingmar). In French or in German (without subtitles). 

- Falsch verbunden. A young woman takes a phone call from someone who tells her he's about to commit suicide. Penned by Bruno Hampel, this episode feels like a Derrick (like Hampel's Der Mord auf Zimmer 49). Amadeus August guest starred in 7 episodes of Der Alte vs 9 for Sven Eric Bechtolf. Directed by Wolfgang Becker. In French or in German (without subtitles). 

- Floßfahrt ins Jenseits. A classic written by Bruno Hampel and helmed by Dietrich Haugk, who has an uncredited cameo. Irene Möller (Eva Kryll) tries to run the taxi company of her lazy and drinking husband Bartholomäus (Rainer Basedow). With Uwe Friedrichsen. In French or in German (without subtitles). 

- Tadverdacht. The reconstitution of an armed robbery goes wrong. Second appearance of Manfred Zapatka in Der Alte. With Lisa Kreuzer (Der amerikanische Freund), Eva Maria Bauer, etc. Written by Volker Vogeler and directed by Günter Gräwert. In French or in German (without subtitles). 

In 1998, Leo Kress and his men appeared in the final episode of Derrick. Kress retired at the end of the 322nd episode (2007) but Rolf Schimpf returned as the ex-detective in Episode 340. He was succeeded by Walter Kreye as Hauptkommissar Rolf Herzog (2008-2012) and Jan-Gregor Kremp (Hauptkommissar Richard Voss, 2012-2022). Michael Ande decided to leave the series in 2016 after 39 years as Gerd Heymann. Charles M. Huber left in 1997 and was replaced by Pierre Sanoussi-Bliss as Axel Richter until 2015. Huber changed career for politics and humanitarian work. Bonus material of the "Le Renard - Intégrale Saison 10" boxset is comprised of a photo gallery and the trailers of some other titles of Elephant Films, like Derrick, Hunter (with Fred Dryer), Frank Riva (with Alain Delon), Ein Fall für zwei and Commissaire Valence. Next year Thomas Heinze will be the new Hauptkommissar of Der Alte.

(1) Friday crime drama.

(2) Unlike Der Kommissar, Derrick was filmed in colour and produced by Helmut Ringelmann's other company Telenova for ZDF, ORF and SRG.

(3) http://krimiserien.heimat.eu/a/der_alte_hintergrund.htm

(4) The team was later completed by Meyer Zwo (Wolgang Zerlett, 1979-1987) and Löwinger (Jan Meyer, 1985-1986).

 

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See also: 

 

https://tattard2.blogspot.com/2022/06/a-case-for-two-ein-fall-fur-zwei-season.html (Ein Fall für zwei on DVD)

https://tattard2.blogspot.com/2022/06/derrick-seasons-1-2-french-region-2-dvd.html (Derrick on DVD)

HORST TAPPERT (1923-2008)

Special thanks to Nathalie ATTARD and David GENTIAL

German actor Horst Tappert died on December 13 in Munich. He was 85. He will remain, although he would probably not have wished it, the symbol of a longtime institution of the pre-Hermann Joha or pre-CSI German television: the Freitag-Krimi, the typical German cop show of Friday evenings, with one single tv series: Derrick (1974-1998).

ROBBERS AND COPS

Like most German actors seen on television, Horst Tappert has his training years on stage. His first notable role is the character of the criminal mastermind in The Great Train Robbery (Die Gentlemen bitten zur Kasse, 1966), a three-part miniseries considered as a milestone in the History of German tv. The same year he appears in the fourth movie adapted from the popular Jerry Cotton crime novels (with US actor George Nader as G-Man Jerry Cotton), Tip not included (Die Rechnung - eiskalt serviert).

In 1968 he plays a guest part in Das Kriminalmuseum (1963-1970), an anthology produced by a man who invents popular tv fiction of the 20th century in Germany: Helmut Ringelmann. Tappert will work for Ringelmann again in two episodes of one of the most popular shows of this producer: Der Kommissar (1969-1976), with Erik Ode as Kommissar Herbert Keller - conceived originally as a German Maigret.

Horst Tappert is also a familiar figure in the Edgar Wallace movie series, even playing twice the same inspector, in Gorilla Gang (Der Gorilla von Soho, 1968) and The Man with the glass eye (Der Man mit dem Glassauge, 1969). In 1972 he's back as the criminal mastermind of Die Gentlemen bitten zur Kasse in Hoopers letzte Jagd.

CRIME AND PUNISHMENT

In 1974, Horst Tappert becomes Oberinspektor Stephan Derrick in Helmut Ringelmann's new Krimiserie, Derrick. To ensure a certain continuity with his hit Der Kommissar, Ringelmann wisely decides that Kriminalhauptmeister Harry Klein (Fritz Wepper), one of the characters, will leave Kommissar Keller to work with Derrick (and two men of the new team appear in the previous show). Derrick is the brainchild of Ringelmann and writer Herbert Reinecker, and is influenced naturally by Der Kommissar, but also by Maigret and in some respects by Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment.

The premiere of the first season (three episodes), Waldweg, and Season 2's first, Mitternachtbus, are two of the best episodes of the show and set its ambiance, with dark and pessimistic stories. The scripts of Derrick, all written by only one man, Reinecker, are imprinted by his own vision of life and his experiences. The pattern of the show is simple: a sordid crime is committed in the small bourgeoisie or high society of Munich and Derrick investigates with his assistant, Harry Klein. Stephan Derrick acts in most episodes as a sort of misanthropic observer without a single oz of concession but with a solid sense of Justice, and occasional expression of his own feelings - when he's appalled by the situation in spite of the fact that this hardened cop has seen them all.

The formula of Derrick, a counterpoint to the US cop shows of the seventies as the series relies more on psychology than action, makes its success to the point that the series will last 25 seasons until 1998 (a longevity common to many German shows, especially those devised by Helmut Ringelmann) and will see the character naturally evolve.

DERRICK IN FRANCE: THE CASE OF THE "MALENTENDU"

There's a die hard cliché in France about the so-called "slowness" of the show and the fact that only senior citizens are meant to watch it (1). Derrick arrives in France in 1986 on Silvio Berlusconi owned La Cinq, in the middle of a train of illustrious US shows, and the Krimiserie suffers the comparison, not unlike the damages done by CSI and its clones on German fiction production today. Derrick is mocked as a "slow", quasi-grabataire cop show, whereas it's more a psychological (and often philosophical) study about the weakness of the Human soul through the prism of two notions: Guilt and Justification.

In fact, Derrick owes more to the first Claude Chabrol movies (particularly in its first seasons) than to Starsky & Hutch or other Aaron Spelling ventures. And the show is often filmed like a stage representation of Brecht or Tchekhov. Action is required only when necessary as Stephan Derrick is, after all, a Kripo (Kriminal Polizeï) cop: take for instance Episode 5 of Season 2, Zeichen der Gewalt, with the late Raimund Harstorf (in one of his appearances alongside erotic icon Sybil Danning), as a runaway killer chased (literally) by Derrick and killed by the Oberinspektor after several gunshots. This episode has the flavor of a "film noir" a la Jean-Pierre Melville, Jacques Deray or José Giovanni (who wrote and directed the third episode of Der Alte, Ringelmann's replacement of Der Kommissar).

More, Derrick explores wide narrative areas, from stories that seem borrowed from Der Kommissar to "chabrolian" portraits of the bourgeoisie, with sometimes detours to Nietszche or Kafka. The 75-minute long Ein Kongreß in Berlin (Season 6, Episode 9), is a cross between Mabuse and The Spy who came from the cold. Edgar Wallace is not far of some episodes and there's even a bank robbery narrated in voice-over by Derrick. Herbert Reinecker and Helmut Ringelmann manage to maintain high stories standards through the years: Das Lächeln des Dr. Bloch (Season 18, Episode 11), with a duel between two fantastic actors, Peter Sattmann and the great Hans-Michael Rehberg, and Isoldes tote Freunde (Season 18, Episode 12) - with a magnificent and delicate performance of Juliane Rautenberg (2) - are amongst classics of the series.

ABSCHIEDSGESCHENK

Derrick has two weaknesses, one retrospective, the other real. The retrospective is the choice, for the soundtrack, of songs that were hits at their times but are sometimes now more than dated (to put it nicely). The second weakness is the use by Ringelmann of an almost "Repertory company" of recurrent faces (but somehow excellent guest actors), such as Sky du Mont (http://tattard2.blogspot.com/2008/05/sky-du-mont.html), Evelyn Opela (Helmut Ringelmann's wife), Klausjürgen Wussow, Wolf Roth, Christian Kohlund, Jacques Breuer, Dirk Galuba and many others... But reruns in disorder (3) add to this "Mercury Theatre" or Scene of the Crime (4) effect, the impression that the same guests are regularly coming back.

Horst Tappert makes his exit from Derrick with class and dignity in Episode 281, Das Abschiedsgeschenk, where he leaves Munich for a promotion at Europol. The intrigue of this finale is rather weak but the actors of Der Alte make uncredited cameos (like Helmut Ringelmann) and Tappert's final scene with the song Hey, Mr Gentleman, performed by Helen Schneider, is a great and moving moment of Television.

The death of Horst Tappert marks the end of an era in the History of German television fiction. Although devised by Reinecker and Ringelmann, Siska (1998-2007) - the successor of Derrick, is well crafted and well played but not as subtle. Derrick was the unique combination of the clever psychological scripts of Herbert Reinecker, the producing skills of Helmut Ringelmann and, above all, the quality of the interpretation of both Fritz Wepper (a talented actor - remember Cabaret - but overshadowed by the star of the show) and Horst Tappert.

Farewell, Mr Gentleman... Derrick is not an average cop show. It's a novel for television in 281 chapters, a play in 281 acts, a journey in the darkest alleys of subconscience. It's Night Gallery in Munich.

(1) Which is of course false. And since several years there's even new Derrick fans amongst twenty or thirtysomethings.
(2) Juliane Rautenberg's Homepage (in German): http://home.arcor.de/juliane.rautenberg/ + Her blog (Idem): http://julianerautenberg.wordpress.com/
(3) A French speciality, for a series unfortunately terribly adapted and dubbed in French language.
(4) An excellent but short-lived anthology mystery tv series (1991) from Stephen J. Cannell, where a small group of actors played a different part each week.

SKY DU MONT

Sky du Mont was born in Buenos Aires and spent his childhood in United Kingdom before starting a brilliant career in Germany and internationally. From his debut on stage, his guest roles in the tv-series of Helmut Ringelmann (Der Kommissar, Derrick, Der Alte...) to Eyes Wide Shut and his comic characters in the movies of Michael « Bully » Herbig, Sky du Mont talks with us about his work and his different and numerous artistic activities.

Sky du Mont, your very first contact with acting was at the end of the Sixties with an extra part in a play where you caught the attention of the director. Could you please tell us more about this debut and how it lead you to acting school?

Sky du Mont : I was broke - as usual - and I did extra-work on plays for television. This is where a very famous german director, Fritz Umgelter, discovered me and gave me my first role in a tv-play.

I was very lucky because an acting instructor from the National Theatre gave me lessons for free as she believed in me and in my talent.

During your three years at acting school in Munich (1969-1971) which teachers marked you the most and why?

Sky du Mont : Miss Hanschke, because she taught me everything there was to know about Theatre. Everything else you have to learn while working: « learning by doing »...

After school you start your career on stage for the Residenztheater of Munich and the Staatstheater in Berlin. For which plays and which roles?

Sky du Mont : I started off with Schnitzler's Professor Bernhardi in Munich. After that I joined the Staatstheater Berlin (National Theatre) an played Gorki, Tchekov, Edward Bond, etc.

Your first movie is the Heimatfilm Das Schweigen im Walde (1976), directed by Alfred Vohrer. How did you work under the direction of this great artisan of german cinema?

Sky du Mont : As I had a tiny part there is not much to tell...

The Boys from Brazil (1976), the well-known thriller directed by Franklin J. Schaffner, constitutes the beginning of your international career. What was you role in this movie? How were you chosen? With which actors did you share some scenes?

Sky du Mont : All my scenes were with Gregory Peck. I got the part through casting and played a ruthless killer.

We cannot talk about your acting career without a mention of your participation in Mr Helmut Ringelmann's television productions. Mr Ringelmann enjoys to work with a family of professionals, technicians and artists and his actors are like those of a Repertory Theatre company.

Sky du Mont : Ringelmann was one of the most important people in my career. I was 21 ! Derrick, Der Alte... All these parts probably started my career in Germany.

How did you meet Helmut Ringelmann?

Sky du Mont : I rang his office and asked for an appointment - and I was granted one. 8 days later I got my first part in one of his productions as a man named Manuel Derrick in Der Kommissar.

Can you please talk to us about Tiefe Wasser (1983), an adaptation of Patricia Highsmith's Deep Water produced by Mr Ringelmann.

Sky du Mont : Tiefe Wasser was directed by Franz Peter Wirth, a director I very often worked for.

You played a vast range of characters for Mr Ringelmann but your interpretation of the archetypal suave villain from the Munich Bourgeoisie in his Krimi Series remains very popular. Can we consider this kind of character like a role from the classic Theatre, as these shows possess the aspect and the psychology of a tragedy play?

Sky du Mont : Yes, certainly. And I always believed that even the « bad guy » has a mother and loves dogs - for example.

From 1979 to 1983 you work on international movie productions like Avalanche Express (1979) or American TV prestige miniseries and in Germany for cinema and television. But in 1985 you make your first major jump into the movie comedy world with the mega-cult Otto - Der Film, starring TV-comedian Otto Waalkes.

Was it important for you to play in a comedy at this moment of your dual career in Germany and abroad or was the opportunity to play in this one pure chance, or both?

Sky du Mont : People in Germany only knew me as the villain and it was about time that I change my character as I had on stage. I played in many comedies in Theatre but was never offered a funny part in Film or television. When Otto - Der Film came I took the chance and it became the most popular film in Germany... until Manitou's Shoe.

You have made two incursions in the Soap Opera universe with your participations in this US institution that is General Hospital and Judith Krantz's Secrets, an attempt to duplicate the genre in european co-production. Could you compare these two experiences?

Sky du Mont : Playing in Judith Krantz's Secrets was not very rewarding. It was unorganised, unprofessional and I hated the work. It was never shown in Germany, as I know.

General Hospital was a great experience. Fantastic scripts, great actors and very (very) hard work!

Your name belongs to the great History of Cinema with your role of Sandor Szavost in the last Stanley Kubrick's movie, Eyes Wide Shut (1999). How did you prepare your scenes?

Sky du Mont : When you work with Kubrick you learn your lines but don't set your mind too much on how you will play the part. Usually he wanted it completely different. Nicole Kidman, Kubrick and I rehearsed like on stage. Everybody had to leave the studio - we were alone and had all the time we needed.

What was the most important thing you learned as an actor from this movie and from Kubrick?

Sky du Mont : It is very seldom that in live one meets a Genius... Kubrick was a Genius. He was a director who listened to his actors and was not so arrogant to imply his will.

You seem to take a lot of pleasure shooting comedies. We could not imagine someone else than you as Santa Maria, the bad guy of Manitou's Shoe (2001) and you are fantastic as William The Last, and - again - Santa Maria, in Dreamship Surprise (2004).

How did this collaboration with Michael Herbig start?

Sky du Mont : He offered me the part and I said I wouldn't play it because all the jokes were on his side. When we agreed that I could play Santa Maria as a bad guy that does not take himself serious, with sense of humour, I agreed to play the part.< Herbig gives evidence of a true love for cinema as a director...

Sky du Mont : Bully is a great director and became a great friend.

What does attract you in comedies like Samba in Mettman?

Sky du Mont : In Samba... I could change completely, a wonderful chance for any actor. I love comedies because they are the most difficult in our profession.

Your first novel, Prinz und Paparazzi has been adapted for television with you as the main character and as co-writer. Can you talk to us about the book and his adaptation?

Sky du Mont : That was hard work because the ZDF wanted absolutely no conflicts in the script. People are difficult, they do have problems... so I wasn't quite happy with the film. My second novel is different, closer to reality.

You are familiar of the exercise consiting in using your voice as sole instrument of your acting work, sometimes for public lectures (Die Bekenntnisse des Hochstaplers, Felix Krull, Handbuch des Aufsteigers...) or for video games (EverQuest II).

What interests you in this vocal work?

Sky du Mont : The voice is an important instrument of an actor. Lectures are a bit like being on stage, with the audience... but with less work and more money (laugh).

Actor, talk-show moderator, novelist, writer, voice artist... After your singing numbers as Santa Maria could you play in a musical?

Sky du Mont : No. I have been offered the part of Professor Higgins in My fair lady but that is something I will not do. Don't even ask me why, I have no idea.

On what are you working currently? Would you like to go back to Theatre?

Sky du Mont : No again. Theatre takes up too much time and leaves me me with so little time for all the things I like to do like... actor, talk-show moderator, novelist, writer, voice artist, etc.

At the moment I am writing the script of a thriller for television and will start shooting a movie for children in August.

(Interview done in 2005)