"Who is Kurt Wallander?", "The Wallander Look", "Branagh - Mankell interview", "Branagh's Wallander"

Wallander is based on a popular series of books from Swedish crime writer Henning Mankell, about an Inspector tackling the most difficult crimes. The character first came onto the screen in Sweden with Rolf Lassgard in the titular role for nine films adapted from the novels from 1994-2007; more Wallander movies has been production over there since last year, with Krister Henriksson taking Lassgard's place. Mankell is currently working a new Wallander novel entitled The Worried Man set to be publish in Sweden this August. ***

Now, the BBC puts their own spin on the character with acclaimed British actor-director Kenneth Branagh this DVD that contains all three 90-minute films that recently aired on PBS. Kurt Wallander isn't your typical detective. He is someone that has a lot of demons -- and a lot of baggage that comes with it. He drinks too much, eats too much, and has few friends. Wallander's the kind of person that knows too much but has seen too much on the job. Much of an loner, he continues to ask himself everyday why he remains on the force rather than just quit. Like NYPD Blue's Andy Sipowicz and 24's Jack Bauer, Kurt Wallander is a deeply flawed, complex, brooding, troubled, volatile man yet has goodness inside of him: the characterstics of a tragic hero. ***

"Who is Kurt Wallander?", "The Wallander Look", "Branagh - Mankell interview", "Branagh's Wallander"

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