Brannah and Stott v Wallander and Rebus

[runner]

I often think that tv detectives can make or break a good book....by that I mean watch the tv series and when you come to read the book all you can see is the tv actor. That is fine, in my opinion if the actor and acting is good and my two favourites are Brannah and Stott. Stott is the the second actor to play Rebus ( the first being John Hannah....who in my opinion was a very poor reflection of the character of John Rebus) Stott brings a real heavy and durr presence to the screen as the worn out Rebus nearing the end of a long successful and questionable career...however the real star of recent times is Kenneth Brannah as the unbelievably tatty, forlorn, unshaven, washed out,depressed suicidal Kurt Wallander. Of course what both detectives share in common is lonliness and the inability to form any sort of female relationship (although are fingers are now crossed for Wallander in the tv series )

What is fascinating about Wallander is the way the series has been shot, the real star is the camera work, the washed out colour, the panoramic views and the rather 60's look and feel of the Sweedish police force. I also love the way Brannah has almost absorbed his character Wallander, he doesn't sleep in a bed, never seems to change his clothes, and his eyes are always red and bloodshot.....but as always even though their ways are unconventional they always win through and bag the baddie!....so long may they both continue to bring to life two of the greatest detectives of all time

[Kell]

There's a Wallander series? And Kenneth Brannagh is playing Wallander? Ooh, I'd be very interested in seeing that - I shall have to look for it. I've only read the first Kurt Wallander book (I enjoyed it, but even at the time, I thought I'd enjoy watching it more than I did reading it, which is rare for me).

 

Perhaps surprisingly for a Crime Fiction fan, I've never read any of the Rebus books - they just haven't called to me for some reason. I've never watched the TV show either.

[pickle]

Although I agree with you regarding Stott who bring a real heaviness to the role of Rebus which matches the locations and the character, I think that the Swedish version of Wallender where the main character is playes by Krister Henriksson is far superior. They have been showing it on the BBC until fairly recently, the supporting cast too is very good.

[runner]

must look out for that pickle

[BigWords]

I'm not sure if it was the casting, the camerawork or the script, but the Rebus series never quite hit its' stride - though I have yet to see the very last episode. From the Hannah episodes I got the impression it was meant to 'open the series out' in the same way that the DCI Tennyson series for the BBC altered and adapted the character for its' own needs. It was (arguably) either too soft an adaptation for the hardcore fans, or too restrictive for the casual viewing audience. There were so many things it completely fell down on (the cinematography was abysmal, for one) that it became a real slog to watch - and I love the character in print, so it isn't that there is a preexisting prejudice there at all. I simply couldn't get the point of the show... The Wallander series is, as everyone seems to agree, beautifully made.

[dave165]

Perhaps surprisingly for a Crime Fiction fan, I've never read any of the Rebus books - they just haven't called to me for some reason. I've never watched the TV show either.

 

Oh Kell, I thoroughly recommend the Rebus series. I think one of the best ever detective fiction series and I don't think you will be disappointed. Books I mean not the TV series.

[Ooshie]

I thoroughly agree that Ken Stott is exactly right for Rebus, I can't see what made them ever pick John Hannah, he just wasn't right at all. I thoroughly enjoyed the books, too.

 

I do like watching Kenneth Branagh as Wallander, and the series is indeed beautifully shot. I haven't read any of the Wallander books yet, but do intend to.

[mirandashell]

There's a new series of the Swedish Wallander starting tonight on BBC4

[Ceinwenn]

Although I agree with you regarding Stott who bring a real heaviness to the role of Rebus which matches the locations and the character, I think that the Swedish version of Wallender where the main character is playes by Krister Henriksson is far superior. They have been showing it on the BBC until fairly recently, the supporting cast too is very good.

 

Pickle, I so agree with you about Wallander. I tried watching the BBC series with Branagh & it was awful! To me, there will never be anyone other than Krister Henriksson as Wallander.

 

There's a new series of the Swedish Wallander starting tonight on BBC4

 

mirandashell - you have just made my weekend!!!! I had no idea there was Wallander back on BBC!! I'm a bit wary - according to tvguide.co.uk it says it's episode 1 of 13, but when you click on the link to look at the episode guide it says that there are only 2 more with Henriksson, then they are all Branagh...........so excited, yet so let down!

 

It was interesting to see that I am by far not the only one who feels like I do about the British "adaptation" of Wallander. http://www.tvguide.co.uk/detail.asp?id=61632392

[pickle]

I am so dissapointed I watched the new series last night and I love the Swedish version and now you tell me it will be mostly the Brannagh so sad....the bbc has misled me

[Ceinwenn]

Well, I am not so sure now. I went onto the Wallander/Henning Mankell site & it shows a further 7 shows with Krister Henriksson...........unfortunately, it does seem that there are to be no English subtitles on the movies from #18 The Cellist - Cellisten, onward.

[emelee]

I often think that tv detectives can make or break a good book....by that I mean watch the tv series and when you come to read the book all you can see is the tv actor. That is fine, in my opinion if the actor and acting is good and my two favourites are Brannah and Stott. Stott is the the second actor to play Rebus ( the first being John Hannah....who in my opinion was a very poor reflection of the character of John Rebus) Stott brings a real heavy and durr presence to the screen as the worn out Rebus nearing the end of a long successful and questionable career...however the real star of recent times is Kenneth Brannah as the unbelievably tatty, forlorn, unshaven, washed out,depressed suicidal Kurt Wallander. Of course what both detectives share in common is lonliness and the inability to form any sort of female relationship (although are fingers are now crossed for Wallander in the tv series )

What is fascinating about Wallander is the way the series has been shot, the real star is the camera work, the washed out colour, the panoramic views and the rather 60's look and feel of the Sweedish police force. I also love the way Brannah has almost absorbed his character Wallander, he doesn't sleep in a bed, never seems to change his clothes, and his eyes are always red and bloodshot.....but as always even though their ways are unconventional they always win through and bag the baddie!....so long may they both continue to bring to life two of the greatest detectives of all time

 

It still makes me laugh when I think how they did an english version of Wallander. I crack myself up thinking about pronouncing Kurt Wallander in English rather than Swedish.

 

I am absolutely sure Kenneth Brannah is great, haven