Wallander: Season 1
  • Network: BBC-1 , PBS , BBC
  • Series Premiere Date: Nov 30, 2008
  • Season #: 1 , 2 , 3
User Score
8.0 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 16 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 16
  3. Negative: 1 out of 16

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  1. judys
    Jun 4, 2009
    4
    The music and soundtrack deliberately obscure a lot of the dialog, making it extremely difficult and stressful to hear and follow the plot.
  2. GeraldT
    Aug 6, 2009
    10
    I would call this a genuine masterpiece of cinematography, scripting, and acting. Creates an involving story woven through with a unique atmosphere. Branagh's talent and professionalism, coupled with his passion for the role, make him truly worthy of his accolades.
  3. AndersE
    May 16, 2009
    6
    They tired to do too much with this. It's hard to hear what is siad sometimes because of the sound track . It did a poor job of explaining who the differnt characters were. Sometimes you can get too artistic for your own good.
  4. richardd
    Jun 7, 2009
    9
    First rate... Atmospheric... dark... brooding, and well acted. At times the cinematography is a work of art. If you liked Inspector Morse, you may enjoy this a good deal.
  5. donelson
    Sep 26, 2012
    6
    This could have been excellent, but is let down by lacklustre writing. In every single episode, clues the audience sees, and would be seen by the police EASILY, are let slide, thus insulting the show's characters (and audience). Scenery is fine, production values good, editing good, but pacing sometimes shouts "must fill 90 minutues". Ugh. I hope he actual police of Sweden are not so thick.
  6. gunvor
    Jan 23, 2012
    10
    This is a great series. Wallander is obsessed with work and although he is a great detective, his personal life is often tragic/pathetic. The bleak atmosphere created by the cinematography and soundtrack is truly beautiful and help exhibit how lonely Wallander is. I highly recommend this show.
  7. Jager
    Nov 25, 2012
    0
    I think the writers really got the Wallander character wrong. The original series from Sweden, Wallander is a decent, internal optimist not a selfish, depressive character that people don't respect. Yes, bad things happen but his internal strength of character, love of classical music , his dog, and good scotch help him get through. Richardd's comment was exactly right, the character is as depressing as Inspector Morse! What's the moral message coming from this character?… Expand

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
71 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Matthew Gilbert
    70
    The pieces don't tend to add up to much; the suspects and victims often slip out of custody too easily; and each episode's crimes dovetail with some predictability. These aren't brain teasers. Still, the series has great hypnotic allure, as the murders and deaths drive Wallander further into himself.
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  2. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Maureen Ryan
    75
    The strength of the script and Branagh's finely drawn performance--not to mention the excellent scenes between Branagh and David Warner, who plays Wallander's dad--make up for missteps [by the director].
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  3. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Robert Lloyd
    70
    I recommend the series, though Sunday's opening film, "Sidetracked," does present a bit of a stumbling block.
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