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DVD Description
Set in and around Rome and based on the best-selling novels by the late Michael Dibdin, Rufus Sewell stars as the fictional Italian detective Aurelio Zen. Vendetta, Cabal & Ratking will feature many of the combined attractions of Italy and the Dibdin novels--thrilling investigations, fun, passion, warmth and beautiful people.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
117 of 118 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is a high-quality drama series produced for TV based around the detective books by Michael Dibdin about a detective called Zen who works in modern day Rome. Each 90 minute episode is a cut above the usual fare for TV detectives; these are effectively full length feature films which happen to be made for television.
Each episode is a stand-alone story based on Dibdin's early Zen books, and they benefit from Dibdin's careful character development and intriguing plots. The stories have been sympathetically adapted for the screen, keeping much of Zen's idiosyncratic behaviour and his delightfully dry wit. Although the crimes are often grim and the danger to Zen and his comrades is very real, these films incorporate a light, almost playful touch (especially as his office romance develops) which makes this series far less gruelling to watch than the recent Wallender adaptation.
Filmed in Rome, the camera work is very stylish, although not stylised. It makes the most of Rufus Sewell's good looks and his ability to wear a very sharp suit, and he perfectly portrays Zen's air of puzzlement when he has to deal with corrupt authority, the bureaucracy of the Italian police, the heavy hand of the Vatican, his wife who wants a divorce, office politics, gangsters with sawn-off shotguns, living with his mother, and seducing a beautiful secretary who has taken something of a shine to him. The first story, Vendetta, is not the strongest of the trio; Zen's artful talents come to the fore in Cabal, and Ratking is by far the best episode.
My only problem with these films is the somewhat weird attitude to local accents. The scripting is all English, and Zen speaks with a neutral accent. His girlfriend and mother speak with a pronounced Italian accent, and bystanders and background chatter is in Italian. That all seems reasonably consistent, and then other supporting actors suddenly start speaking in a broad Geordie, Mancunian, West Country or other British regional accent. It's extremely Odd. An explosive rant from Zen's boss, which would've worked fine with some Latin flourish, really didn't work in a `it's grim oop north' accent.
Strange accents aside, the Roman background couldn't be more evocative or deftly portrayed. Zen's Alfa Romeo roars along cobbled roads; he parks at a skew next to stupendous marble churches; a suicide leaps from a bridge into the Tiber. Visually, this series is very rewarding and, likewise, it is intellectually satisfying. I hope they make another three episodes for next year.
8/10
Each episode is a stand-alone story based on Dibdin's early Zen books, and they benefit from Dibdin's careful character development and intriguing plots. The stories have been sympathetically adapted for the screen, keeping much of Zen's idiosyncratic behaviour and his delightfully dry wit. Although the crimes are often grim and the danger to Zen and his comrades is very real, these films incorporate a light, almost playful touch (especially as his office romance develops) which makes this series far less gruelling to watch than the recent Wallender adaptation.
Filmed in Rome, the camera work is very stylish, although not stylised. It makes the most of Rufus Sewell's good looks and his ability to wear a very sharp suit, and he perfectly portrays Zen's air of puzzlement when he has to deal with corrupt authority, the bureaucracy of the Italian police, the heavy hand of the Vatican, his wife who wants a divorce, office politics, gangsters with sawn-off shotguns, living with his mother, and seducing a beautiful secretary who has taken something of a shine to him. The first story, Vendetta, is not the strongest of the trio; Zen's artful talents come to the fore in Cabal, and Ratking is by far the best episode.
My only problem with these films is the somewhat weird attitude to local accents. The scripting is all English, and Zen speaks with a neutral accent. His girlfriend and mother speak with a pronounced Italian accent, and bystanders and background chatter is in Italian. That all seems reasonably consistent, and then other supporting actors suddenly start speaking in a broad Geordie, Mancunian, West Country or other British regional accent. It's extremely Odd. An explosive rant from Zen's boss, which would've worked fine with some Latin flourish, really didn't work in a `it's grim oop north' accent.
Strange accents aside, the Roman background couldn't be more evocative or deftly portrayed. Zen's Alfa Romeo roars along cobbled roads; he parks at a skew next to stupendous marble churches; a suicide leaps from a bridge into the Tiber. Visually, this series is very rewarding and, likewise, it is intellectually satisfying. I hope they make another three episodes for next year.
8/10
29 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Dear BBC...Have you gone mad to stop this great series? Great actors, good stories, nice settings...What is wrong with this world? Make another 30 or 40 episodes! This is magnificent and much better than most detective series.
63 of 64 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I agree with another reviewer - a cut above the norm. Not a scruffy anorak in sight, no seedy housing estates, not a hint of the 'f' word, just elegant surroundings (yes I have been to Rome and I do know there is another seamier side) elegantly dressed people, even just passers by in the street. So refreshing. Great throw away lines, subtle humour, clever plots and Rufus et al casting brilliant. Hope there are many more in the BBC pipeline - get rid of all those dreadful reality shows and dismal soaps.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Very poor
I was influenced by the many reviews when purchasing this series - a big mistake. Previously I have found reviews to be helpful but on this occasion I wondered if I was looking at... Read more
Published 22 hours ago by Trevor Billington
ZEN ENLIGHTENMENT
Excellent series - and just a bit different. Set in Italy like Inspector Montalbano, this is just a tad more believable - more grown up. Read more
Published 1 day ago by Zenna Brown
Heavenly Zen
It was unbelievable when the BBC took this off air after one series - it's such good fun and Rufus Sewell is in his element as Zen.
At least we can watch it on DVD! Read more
At least we can watch it on DVD! Read more
Published 2 days ago by Helen Murray
Brilliant
This is a rare example of TV improving on the written word. The cast is impeccable and the decision to actually film in Rome was a masterstroke. Read more
Published 9 days ago by Bowral
That's amore
With stunning soundtrack, slick cinematography, great locations, superb adaptations of Michael Dibdin's novels, not to mention Rufus Sewell and Ben Miles - that's amore!
Published 25 days ago by kir royale
Zen one of the best
Cannot believe that there seems no chance of this series being expanded. Really found everything about this series just superb, great story line, excellent acting and character... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mrs Sylvia K Saunders
Looks like we've had our Zen moment...
Admission time - I loved this series. I liked it as much as "Sherlock" too.
Maybe I'm the only one, but I found the dialogue rather muffled and difficult to follow in the... Read more
Maybe I'm the only one, but I found the dialogue rather muffled and difficult to follow in the... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Bigredbucket
Zen - the new Saint
Zen is a thoroughly enjoyable DVD detective series. Set in Rome and the Italian country side, the photography is brilliant, the plots credible, the acting superb, and the lead... Read more
Published 2 months ago by RosaQld
WHAT CROCK
I bought this dvd because of the rave reviews & I was very disappointed. I forced myself to watch the whole series & it was excruciatingly painful. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Yu Hea Hui Anna
BBC stupid to axe
What were the BBC thinking when deciding to stop at one series? Zen is a delight and every person I've recommended it to has loved it. Read more
Published 3 months ago by KJ
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