Kommissar Rex

A cult favourite TV series in Australia, where it is screened in German with subtitles (have you noticed almost all the comments are from Australia), Kommissar Rex is an Austrian show, now in its ninth season.

Try to imagine a German language version of Jim Belushi's K9 movies, with a Viennese backdrop, and you are somewhere in the ball park. A loner male cop paired with a German Shepherd police dog, though Rex veers a little more towards action/mystery than comedy.

The show itself is a little confounding in some respects. It can be rolling along in G-rated family mode, and then they will find a dismembered body in a sewer, or there will be scenes of someone shooting up junk. This doesn't seem to phase Australian viewers but it may mean it will never get a US release (that, and the subtitles.)

Basically there have been three incarnations of Rex. The first four season featured Moretti as Rex's partner. He was good looking, charismatic, and the chemistry was perfect. These trend to be regarded as the classic seasons. A further four seasons followed with another male lead, whereupon the entire cast (including Rex) were replaced and we now have a new male lead who has a female cop love interest. In my opinion this badly interferes with the man-dog chemistry (the male lead should be a confirmed loner/bachelor) - but it's still a likable show even in this incarnation.

Audiences in Australia have been known to become extremely upset if this show is temporarily taken off air. It's a shame it's not available in the US, because it would garner plenty of fans.

I discovered this show on PBS' Spanish program and though I do not speak Spanish watch it regularly. Such a refreshing different approach to police work than the all the other police shows. These Austrian police men not only use the fabulous dog in their work, but they also know how to shoot. All the criminals are hit in the leg, so they cannot run, not killed like the local police seems only be able to do. It would be so nice if one of the networks would buy it, so that I could understand it. The show gives an interesting look into life in Vienna and I think that is so refreshing. Americans need to see how other people live.

I only started watching this show and I love it. It has everything a cop show should have - excellent characters, suspense, drama, action and comedy. Rex steals the show - as well as most of the food! - in this outstanding German TV Series.

While the human acting in this show is often quite poor, and the storylines often predictable, I just seem to love it. The acting from Rex is brilliant as he seems to communicate with his dog mumbles and head tilts. While the series has its faults the two policemen work well together and with Rex often provide moments of comedy in between some serious moments.

The real star of the show is Rex, and anyone who owns a dog will be able to enjoy this show. If not, I recommend watching it because it is one of my favorites.

This series aired also in Greece several years ago, but unfortunately it has been translated into Greek. Subtitles would be better, but anyway.

The Austrians have done a great job, the dog is very clever and Tobias Moretti is ideal for his role.

Apart from the action, the mystery and the whole plot on each episode, passion and humor is also present. I was watching it as a kid, but there are some violent and/or sexual scenes, so parents better be careful with that.

I don't know if the show airs on other countries, but if so give it a shot, I believe it's worth it.