El cazador

You hear stories about this Italian mafia and those who tried and sometimes dies trying to stop their activities. Really enjoyed this textured portrayal of both sides. Looking forward to season 2.

This Italian series tells of the war against the Cosa Nostra in the 1990s; in particular the hunt for Leoluca Bagarella, a senior Mafioso and his associates and a child they are believed to have kidnapped. Saverio Barone, a young prosecutor recently recruited to the Anti-Mafia squad, is among those leading the hunt; a hunt he becomes obsessed with. He is partnered with Carlo Mazza, a more experienced prosecutor. Over the course of the first series we see events from the perspective of these prosecutors; Bagarella and his associates, most notably his driver Tony.

I really enjoyed the first season of this series and hope the second becomes available here soon. The tone is understandably fairly bleak... anybody hoping for the fun of Sicily based crime drama 'Inspector Montalbano' will be sorely disappointed! The series doesn't shy away from showing Mafia crimes; there are some fairly gruelling scenes of torture and murder and as hunt for the boy drags on for months and years with him chained up and his chance of survival not that great there is a sense of bleakness. The opening of each episode reminds us that this is based on real events, but with details changed for dramatic purposes; this helps keep the viewer on edge, especially if like me you don't know how the real story ends. The cast does a really impressive job bringing their characters to life... not 'larger than life'; the Mafiosi are shown as fairly ordinary people who happen to be violent criminals rather than obviously evil villains, which explains why they aren't easily caught. Overall I'd certainly recommend this.

These comments are based on watching the series in Italian with English subtitles.

Very nice series on historical events which tells the ups and downs of the magistrates who captured the most infamous mafia criminals in Sicily.

Good interpretation from the actors, nice story, nice photography.

It makes you love the role of magistrates and prosecutors!

In a sentence this is by far the best of maybe half a dozen recent TV series following the fight-against organised crime in Sicily, beginning around the time of (in this instance, shortly after) the assassinations of legendary lawmen Falcone and Borsellino. It is also, hands-down, one of the best crime shows from anywhere in recent years.

The Hunter (Il Cacciatore) is exemplary for its attention to 'historical' detail and mood, for its nuanced script which makes no one too heroic or Bond villain-bad (though there be monsters here a-plenty). The acting is almost all great, the action scenes are terrific, the settings, of course, to die for. Where is it all going? Well we know that the power of the Corleonese Mafia was greatly reduced in the period covered by this show (mid '90s onwards), so it's not surprise but authenticity and character that is needed to keep you watching, and The Hunter provides both in spades. High-level drama, convincing and largely intelligible familial relations and complications, and at least one complex (i.e. Flawed) 'hero' on a mission to take Sicily back from those who've stolen it, all make this a TV series not to be missed. Even where the personal narrative seems to be about to follow a too-obvious turn, the writers do something interesting and unexpected (for instance avoiding a long-drawn-out show-down between central character and his nemesis in favour of a new development in the main story, something Hollywood almost never has the courage to do). Add to all of this the often inspired slow-reveal exposition of essential details in place of easy summaries and you have a show (first season at least) which makes others look predictable and clumsy in comparison. Highly recommended.

Let me begin by saying that I am not one for usually writing reviews. Having said that, and after having seen the entire series, I feel compelled to share my thoughts. Let me begin by saying that this show treats the viewer with respect, both for their intelligence and their time. Unlike regurgitated puke-inducing American shows, this superlative Italian crime drama, absolutely redefines the genre. It is original, gripping, filled with nuances and intrigue, and never relinquishes control of the viewers attention. I cannot say enough good things about the level and maturity of the acting on display. It is such a breath of fresh air to find a show, albeit in another language, that brings to life a story and characters in the most lucid and thought provoking manner. 10 out of 10.