Kommissar Rex

This show is brilliant, believe me. I've been totally hooked since seeing this show for the first time a few years ago. Rex steals the show; Rex is amazing; Rex is my hero!

If you like cop shows; if you don't mind subtitles (for those who don't speak German); if you like European locations (the nice and not so nice sides of Vienna); if you like action and a touch of humour; and you love dogs (or don't) - you'll love 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.

Great dog show. In the tradition of all dog shows, the dog is smarter than most of the characters (all human) on the show. Tight but easy to follow plotlines with the cute Inspector Rex hogging all the limelight from his equally cute owner/trainer. This show does not pretend to be anything deep and meaningful, or try to be gritty and edgy like all the other police shows that are on at the moment. But rather it uses its police storylines to show us the beauty of Vienna, the essence of the Viennese, and of course Rex. It is its simplicity and the star of the show Rex that are the secret of its appeal. In short, if you like dogs of any kind, you will not want to miss an episode.

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.

Moretti is the best. He´s convincent (good actor) with Rex and you can believe the relation man-animal is true. When Moretti disappeared, the series lose suspense and charme. The end of Moser, was an original touch in a tv movie and the tragic scenes impacts all the spectators and fans of Moretti's courage. So is notable the use of humor in the book.