BECK is a Swedish television series which airs on MHZ NETWORKS in the United States.
This is one of the most unique cop shows I've ever seen. It's like a breath of fresh air in a genre that stinks to death with cliches and tedium.
In the short time that I've spent watching episodes on MHZ NETWORKS and YOU TUBE, it has become one of my favorite cop shows of all time.
HOMICIDE: LIFE ON THE STREET is the only other cop show that I feel passionately about.
MHZ NETWORKS presents BECK in WIDEscreen with Swedish subtitles.
My Swedish is extremely limited, but I have NO complaints with the subtitles used in this series. In fact, I think they're above average. They're not too quick and are easy to read.
The camera work is beautiful, even during gruesome scenes.
All of these characters feel real. They're so detailed, so human.
The main character is Martin Beck, and he is portrayed by Peter Haber.
The writers, actresses, and actors in this show, do an incredible job.
Mikael Persbrandt as Gunvald Larsson
Ingvar Hirdwall as Beck's neighbor
Rebecka Hemse as Beck's daughter Inger
Stina Rautelin as Lena Klingström
Each 85 minute episode, feels more like a movie than part of a TV show.
Some of the stories contain very harsh content that no U.S. broadcast network would ever air. Usually, you only find this type of content on U.S. cable channels, that should tell you how gutsy this show is.
Some of the more disturbing episodes I've seen - on MHZ NETWORKS and YOU TUBE - have involved....
A killer that chopped-up his victim and put his body parts in a broiler that usually holds chickens
A baby locked-up in luggage... then the luggage was blown-up by the cops
A baby being dropped from a tall apartment building
A group of kids that murder people in the Stockholm subway
A killer that peels off human faces
Most of the stories I've seen, are NOT as disturbing as the previously mentioned episodes.
BECK also has a lot of dark humor, and it's actually funny.
If you get a chance to watch BECK, then please do so.
MARTIN BECK originates from a series of novels written by Per Wahlöö and Maj Sjöwall.
This version of BECK was released on region one DVD by MHZ... NOTE: This series is NOT based on any of the books.
Walter Matthau portrayed BECK in a movie called THE LAUGHING POLICEMAN ( AKA Den Skrattande Polisen ). It was released on region one DVD by FOX.
