Vendetta

Many thanks to MHz for showing the TV adaptations of Jan Guillou's Carl Hamilton novels. Commander Hamilton is a most attractive creation. Born into nobility but politically progressive, highly intelligent and technically competent but self-effacing, disciplined and principled but not averse to evasion and deception, he's deeper and more complex than Fleming's Commander Bond.

I found the first mini-series, Enemy's Enemy, thoroughly engrossing, with complex plotting, nail-biting suspense, still relevant geopolitical background and intriguing details of political and technical strategy as well as the super cool but simpatico central character, played beautifully by the young Peter Haber. In fact I didn't think Haber could be bettered but in Vendetta Stefan Sauk has proved me wrong, adding more thoughtfulness and vulnerability to the compelling looks and natural elegance. I wish Sauk had made more series, ideally with the first Eva-Britt, the lovely Maria Grip.

Apparently, MHz plans to air all the Hamilton series. It will be interesting to compare the leads and the directors but I can't imagine the quality of the first two being surpassed. I hope whoever holds the rights will put them out on DVD -- soon.

PS: I would like to register my disagreement with Morristang-1's comments regarding the Italian series shown by MHz. I welcome the diversity of MHz's programming -- the more the better.

i just saw this series on MHz networks and have a blast! the 1995 product is even better than what we have now in 2015. this series is so cool and so realistic that the tension is so huge causing me sometimes forgot to breath or made me unconsciously hold my breath. there's no special effect, no computerized cgi crap, nothing but purely thrilling human actions. the acting of everyone involved in this great series were just top notched. MHz networks has provided us with many great series, but some of them are nothing but farces, such as all of the so-called 'mysteries' from the Italian writers and producers, don't know why they always put some clowns in the police force. it seems to me that Italian screenplay writers didn't know how to write realistic drama series, they even put a catholic priest to involve in a lot of murder cases. there's also a police series used Venice as the story background, but all speaking German, making the series like Venice was colonized by the Germany, like hong Kong was colonized by the British, so the high ranking police officials were Germans. it just feel funny and ridiculous.

but this 'vendetta' is simply a different advanced production out of Sweden(?), the leading character, Hamilton, is so capable and so professional, even better than British created 007.

i just wish that MHz networks could avoid all of the Italian TV dramas and concentrate on Scandinavian, German or British productions. furthermore, try to avoid those so-called 'mysteries' adapted from the female authors' books, because they often turned out to be ridiculous with poor logic.

Stefan Sauk plays the Swedish equivalent of James Bond(kind of at least) in this action thriller involving the Sicilian maffia in the Hamilton saga.I think Sauk is the best Carl Hamilton ever.He brings so much power and intensity to this role.Stellan Skarsgård was ok as Hamilton,didnt have sense for Stormare or Peter Haber and noone of these come close to Sauk's interpretation.Sauk shows both guts and wit in this solid thriller.The supporting ensemble cast gotta be some of Italy's finest actors.A nice way to spend October afternoon.