The original Swedish movies 
Some people like the Branagh-version of Wallander and some like the Swedish original better. I belong to the latter group. I found Kenneth Branagh’s representation of Wallander to be overly theatrical and the whole atmosphere somewhat lacking in authenticity. But that’s taste and preference only. Both series are excellent, intense and very entertaining.
Among the movies in this DVD-set, the episode ‘Mastermind’ in particular would rate as among the most spine chilling and powerful crime films I have ever seen. It is extremely suspenseful, strong and simply wonderful. In all the movies in the Swedish version, I find the supporting cast does a much better job than in the English version of the series.
SYNOPSES:
Afrikanen / The Afrikan:
Ystad’s Social Democrats are putting up campaign posters for their candidate whose fight against anti-immigrant forces has cleansing Scania of its racist reputation as its No.1 priority. Then a train rolls into the railway station in Gdansk in Poland – with a dead black man on board. It appears he was murdered in Ystad, where the train originated, making this a case for Kurt Wallander. Most of the evidence points to a race crime, further strengthening prejudice against Scania. But the investigation takes an unexpected turn when the murder weapon is connected to one of Kurt’s childhood friends.
Den svaga punkten / The Tricksters:
When a farmer is kicked to death by his favourite horse, the horse breeder claims it is impossible, while an examination of the farmer’s body provides new clues to the cause of death. The neighbours confirm that the farmer lived alone, but there had been a mysterious woman, that he met through the personal ads, staying at the house. Searches for the woman turn up nothing until the police discover the farmer’s bank accounts were emptied the day he died. Kurt and Linda play cat and mouse with the killer when they place their own personal ad. The bait works and Kurt finds himself in deep water.
Mastermind:
Someone has infiltrated the Ystad police station, effectively closing it down for several critical hours. The culprit is everywhere and nowhere, like a virus that is noticed far too late.
At the same time, Kurt Wallander is trying to comprehend the connection between his colleague Martinson´s daughter Therese and a woman found hanged. And why has someone left a chopped-off doll’s head in a field?
What is behind all these events, which must have taken years of planning? Wallander and Martinson are soon behaving like hunted animals.
Fotografen / The Photographer
An American tourist is found dead and her husband demands the body and all her possessions be returned. But the woman had been visiting an internationally renowned photographer, who lives locally, fuelling the husband’s long-held suspicion that she was being unfaithful.
Kurt Wallander takes an interest in the cuckolded husband and the dead woman believing there is more to the photographer than meets the eye. But he is surprised to learn that the dead woman was murdered, and that the motive is to be found far from Sweden.
- Actors: Krister Henriksson, Fredrik Gunnarsson, Mats Bergman, Douglas Johansson, Stina Ekblad
- Writers: Henning Mankell
- Format: PAL
- Language Swedish
- Subtitles: Danish, English, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish
- Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
- Studio: SF(Fox)
- DVD Release Date: 7 Nov 2006
- Run Time: 361 minutes
(Published by courtesy of ScandinavianBooks.com)
