The Purple Rivers - Blu-ray

Movie: When it comes to special, extraordinary murder cases, equally special investigative tactics are required. That's why the "Central Bureau of Violent Crimes" was created, for which Pierre Niémans (Olivier Marchal) works with his partner Camille Delaunay (Erika Sainte). The first case is very personal for Niémans, as the victim is a former friend and colleague who has spent the last few years living in seclusion as a monk in a monastery. Here, however, the two investigators quickly come up against a wall of silence. The same happens when they investigate a supposed accident in a sect or a murder in the German-French border area. But as mysterious as the cases may be, a shrewd sleuth like Pierre Niémans still gets on the trail of every murderer.

The Purple Rivers is based on the bestseller of the same name by Jean-Christophe Grangé. This was already in 2000 template for a suspenseful cinema thriller with Jean Reno in the role of the maverick investigator Pierre Niémans. A sequel followed in 2004, but it failed to repeat the success, or the quality, of the first film. So now Niémans returns to solve cases of the particularly mysterious kind, often involving long-forgotten customs and religions, in this TV series.

Unfortunately, even the television version doesn't come close to the first theatrical adaptation in terms of quality. The visuals are indeed extremely atmospheric and the four cases, each of which is investigated here in two 45-minute episodes, are excitingly constructed. But unfortunately, the resolution comes across as far too rushed, at times even in the last 60 seconds. Moreover, 90 minutes is simply too long for the stories, which are quite thin in the end. Thus, in the four two-parters, there are always noticeable lengths, especially in the second episode of each, while the opening episodes offer solid suspense.

The Purple Rivers is, unfortunately, not quite a big hit. However, there is enough showmanship and gripping moments of suspense to give the series some entertainment value. Who can overlook the sometimes quite weak scripts and just want to be sprinkled by solid crime entertainment, which is well served here. Worth seeing - albeit with small limitations!

Picture + Sound: The atmospheric imagery of the series comes through well thanks to the atmospheric colour scheme and high overall sharpness. There are minor points deducted for detail in the darker scenes, but otherwise the picture quality leaves a really good impression. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix remains largely unspectacular, as - aside from a few sound effects and ambient noises - the dialogue and restrained soundtrack dominate the proceedings. Good.

Extras: Unfortunately, there is no bonus material.

Conclusion: The Purple Rivers, as a TV series, unfortunately cannot match the quality of the first feature film based on Jean-Christophe Grangé bestseller. Olivier Marchal does not have the raw charisma that Jean Reno used to make the character of Pierre Niéman such an interesting investigator. Moreover, the stories are too simply constructed to work over 90 minutes. Still, there is some entertainment value and the visuals of the series have an engaging atmosphere. This comes across well on the Blu-ray thanks to the good picture and sound quality. Bonus material is unfortunately not available

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp