MovieChat Forums > Livvagterne (2009) Discussion > The Protectors ('Livvagterne') - Another...

The Protectors ('Livvagterne') - Another under-rated Nordic-noir series

posted 13 years ago by et_tu_Brute
6 replies | jump to latest

Yet another brilliant, but under-rated Danish TV crime drama series.

I am located in Australia and it has taken almost 3 years for this gripping series to reach our TV screens courtesy of SBS-TV, abeit late at night possibly due to the strong content.

It is early days, to complete a full review of the series, but from the 2 episodes aired to date, this appears to be every bit as good as "Unit One" ("Rejseholdet"), "The Eagle - A Crime Odyssey" ("Ørnen - en krimi odyssé") and "The Killing" ("Forbrydelsen") all produced by DR TV.

All of these series are excellent examples of the recent emergence of the Nordic-noir crime genre and are indicative that the Danes can punch above their body weight when it comes to producing quality crime drama. They are a refreshing change from the schlock & slick formulaic CSI, Law & Order & NCIS multi franchises that are repeated ad nauseum on our TV screens.

For English-only speakers who don't like sub-titles, most series emanating from the Scandinavian countries are relatively easy to follow as the languages from these nations (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and to a lessor extent, Finland & Iceland) contain a lot of adopted English vocabulary as well as providing the native words that are roots for the English language.

Fortunately SBS TV & Madman Entertainment in Australia have released the first series on DVD for Region 4 countries. The discs are actually Region 0 (All Regions) and are PAL format with English sub-titles and would be okay for viewing in the UK, Eire and Europe (Region 2) countries. Google EAN (UPC) barcode no. 9322225090798 for more information.

Ciao

Locked my wire coat-hanger in the car - good thing that I always carry spare keys in my pocket :)

[–] sam-151 12 years ago

I am happily surprised that tv-series like Rejseholdet and Livvagterne has made it all the way to Australia :) ! Both are among my favorite series.
I guess it's easier for English-language productions to be popular outside of their "home-countries" than the other way around. In Europe we get a lot of English-language series. Of course a lot from the US, but also a great deal from the UK and from Australia, and we're used to that. But I tend to get a little surprised when I hear that "small" Scandinavian productions get noticed overseas.
As for Livvagterne, I wish they would at least make a couple of "2 years later" episodes, like they did with Rejseholdet. I would very much like to know what happens with Jasmina, Rasmus, Jonas and the others

[–] 12 years ago

[deleted]

[–] cmcurrie2 11 years ago

What are the other Nordic Noir to watch? I've seen the protectors, the Swedish trilogy, and the business man who was a thief in his spare time -- can't remember the titles. Much better than US series/film.

[–] martinsorensen990 11 years ago

Some of them are :

Ørnen: En krimi-odyssé
Broen /the bridge
Forbrydelsen 1,2 and 3
Rejseholdet /unit one
Borgen (political drama)

[–] sam-151 11 years ago

What about Himmelblå? Maybe it's not "noir", but it is a great series :)

[–] dmcdknf 11 years ago

In addition to Martin's list (which includes some great shows), you might also check out:

Annika Bengtzon: Crime Reporter
Henning Mankell's Wallander (Be sure to watch the Swedish version and not the BBC version)
Headhunters (dark Norwegian action/thriller)