Témoin sous silence

Do yourself a favor and see this series before the American remake. I'm amazed how the majority of American viewers do not realize that every time a Scandinavian TV series or movie is successful, a network or studio buys its rights and soon we have the American remake--which is ALWAYS inferior. The Bridge, The Killing, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, among several others, have been remakes of far superior original versions. The rights for Eyewitness, this excellent Norwegian thriller, were sold to the USA Network and the remake was filmed in Canada for the USA Network. If you can see the original (it is available at DailyMotion), do it before seeing the remake.

While not as long (only 10 one-hour episodes) and labyrinthine as The Killing or The Bridge, this is a relatively complex, character-driven, realistic, well-paced edge of the seat thriller. Two rural teenage boys hide the fact they have witnessed the murder of several bikers to avoid revealing they were having a secret gay encounter. Their secrecy will allow the killer to continue to operate freely while the bikers and the Balkan mafia will go to war. The plot is completely believable while the situations, locations (real biker clubs, etc.), and character development create a naturalistic feeling that prevails in every scene.

This series reaffirms the fact that Norway now shares with Denmark and Sweden the world crown of crime fiction. Eyewitness is an absolute must for lovers of Scandinavian noir and police thrillers.

Now here's a fine crime series from Scandinavia : well-acted, well-plotted, twisty and full of surprises. The series is also moving, especially where it explores the difficulties, insecurities and tensions related to adolescence. It's the cruelest period in human life, when the difference between fitting in and not fitting in can mean the difference between walking home in peace and quiet and being thrown in a ditch. Try being gay under such circumstances - it's pretty much like having "Please kick me" tattooed on your forehead.

I also enjoyed the beautifully shot locations and exteriors.

I've just noticed that "Les innocents", the French adaptation, is on the telly. Would it hurt the eyes of a viewer from Bordeaux to watch a hillside in Norway ? Even if I get to be a hundred, I'll never understand why television makers look at a foreign series, say "Wow, this stuff is pretty good" and then rush away in order to make their own version. Generally speaking it's an exercice in redundancy.

As for series on related topic, I am able to recall Varg Veum, and apparently I have seen all episodes available... Yes, I liked it, but it is more Beck and Wallander than those coming from Scandinavia when you have to watch all in sequence and where are many intertwined events, not every episode dedicated to solving a certain tort or felony.

Øyevitne measures easily up to the currently most famous Danish-Swedish series: gloomy atmosphere, harsh nature, thrilling yet realistic plot with some unexpected changes, fitting actors performing rather as a team than backing someone who is heavily "better" or "distinct" (Axel Bøyum and Anneke von der Lippe had apparently the most versatile characters to play)... Some spend more time on screen, the others less, but they do all have their role and place, not just filling a scene or prolonging the events (6 episodes made the story intense and compact). Plus, I liked the ending as the very final scenes did not contain the odd dramatics so characteristic to the US series, above all. And I also liked that private and sensitive issues were approached in realistic manner, as a part of everyday life, without strict assessments.

I am pleased that Norwegians have vigorously established themselves in the field long dominated by Swedes and Danes. Well done and more similar achievements in the future!

Listen, I watched this series 10 years after it's initial release, and will review it as such. The actual storyline is engaging and interesting, despite an ending that leaves some to be desired. The acting from the two boys is impressive as they were very young, Axel Bøyum does a very good job bringing Philip to life, and his portrayal is both realistic and leveled. Anneke von der Lippe also portrays a complex and interesting character very well, trying to walk the line between professional and personal life. Some of the other characters are less complex and don't bring as much to the story.

The romantic relationship between the two boys also leaves a lot to be desired, and with very little chemistry between them in most scenes, it's hard to care about their relationship. I would prefer for their relationship to be explored more, rather than it taking a back seat to support the rest of the TV-series, regardless of how entertaining the series is.

I'm not at all too keen on watch TV-series, but more into film. Occasionally I find time to check out a new one, and especially I have been interested in the Nordic-noir genre which have been given quite a lot of acclaim the latter years. This Norwegian gangster-crime series follows up this trend. Made in Norway with many connections to both Sweden and Denmark.

This is really an edge-of-the-seat-thriller series, and way more than expected. I think this TV-series manages to engage me so much that I've been looking more and more forward to each episode, and really hate when it's all over after the 6th episode. Proper use of cliffhangers ensure that, but also that the persons are of interest. I find that there's many interesting persons, e.g. from different sides and branches of the police forces, as well as you really get to know some of the persons on a more personal level.

Great actors all over, even the two boys are doing a great job. Quite professionally and sincere. What Ifind very pleasing is that the series seems very realistic. Names of places, locations as well as the use of buildings are all very tidy done. Even the news are made with real well-known news presenters, and there's simply nothing which loses the credibility. I've so many times been annoyed with facts that are plainly stupid in TV-series, you know, like name of countries not existing in the real world and so on. Here it's simply impossible to arrest any fact from Norway, Sweden or Denmark. It's all very real and totally believable. The only thing which can be arrested for not being a fact, is the name of the biker Club (6'ers with the emblem 666), which isn't any real club. However, their club location is real of another existing bikers club. I find that quite impressive. A real done job!

The series is well written, and though I in the start found the opening plot hard to believe, it started off a tension which is very suitable.

Once you get hitched, you won't be able to stop watching! You can't really expect more from a TV-series. One of the best I've seen for years, and just as good as the best of the British ones.