Zen

2011

Zen

7.7 | en | Drama

Zen is a British television mini series produced by Left Bank Pictures for the BBC, co-produced with WGBH Boston for its Masterpiece anthology series, Mediaset and ZDF. It stars Rufus Sewell and Caterina Murino and is based on the Aurelio Zen detective novels by Michael Dibdin. The series was filmed on location in Italy, but the dialogue is in English. The series, which comprises three 90-minute films, was broadcast in the United Kingdom on Sunday evenings from 2 January 2011 on BBC One. The three films were based on the books Vendetta, Cabal and Ratking.

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Seasons & Episodes

EP3 Ratking

Jan. 16,2011

After industrialist and political party funder Ruggerio Miletti is kidnapped, the Ministry turn to Aurelio Zen, to get him back alive at any cost.

EP2 Cabal

Jan. 09,2011

The death of a famous aristocrat, Umberto Ruspanti, leads Detective Zen into the shadowy world of The Cabal - an organisation more powerful and secret than the Mafia. The Ministry want a quick verdict of suicide, but Zen's not so sure. Meanwhile, things are looking up with Tania.

EP1 Vendetta

Jan. 02,2011

Detective Zen is sent to a remote village to re-investigate a murder, which may spark a political scandal. Zen is under pressure from the politicians and the Chief of Police, but he would rather be spending time with Tania, the Chief's beautiful assistant. Meanwhile, a gangster is after Zen, seeking revenge.

7.7 | en | Drama | More Info

Released: 2011-01-02 | Released Producted By: , Country: United Kingdom Budget: 0 Revenue: 0 Official Website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00x9x43

Synopsis

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Cast

Rufus Sewell , Caterina Murino , Stanley Townsend

Director

Rebecca Eaton

Producted By

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Trailers

Cast

Rufus Sewell

as Aurelio Zen

Old The Father The Pale Horse Judy Gods of Egypt City of Sin Killing Jesus Killing Jesus The Man in the High Castle

Caterina Murino

as Tania Moretti

Veneciafrenia La Maison d'en face Selfiemania Il giudizio Plan B My Brother, My Sister Disclaimer Time Is a Killer Se son rose...

Stanley Townsend

as Moscati

The Current War The Song of Names Resistance Florence Foster Jenkins One Chance 24: Live Another Day The Physician Fleming Quirke

Reviews

jzpresto While the performers and settings look wonderful, the craft of creating a plausible action movie gets lost on the Autostrada. Three bloopers: 1) Normally, a cell phone that falls underwater goes out of use. Not so Zen's; after his struggle in the underground lake, he's back on his cell phone, talking to his new girlfriend. 2) And in that cave adventure, he loses the flashlight to the mysterious girl. Yet, a few moments later, he's got it in hand again, finding his way out. 3) When Zen escapes from his three, heavily-armed captors, he doesn't so much fight his way out as much as the camera and film editor help him out with quick, evasive camera shots.

TheLittleSongbird When I first tuned into Zen I was expecting something interesting. Not only did it achieve that, but I wasn't expecting something this good so early on in the year.Zen is just terrific, I loved the concept and I think the programme lived up to this concept. The writing is witty, fresh and thought-provoking, the soundtrack is good, the episodes are all well paced and I think the perfect length too, the stories were both perplexing and interesting- the first was the best in terms of plot construction- and the whole series is very well directed.The characters are also credible, I just love how charismatic, brooding and cool Aurelio Zen is. The acting is very good, Rufus Sewell is just perfect in the lead meeting his character traits with aplomb. Plus Caterina Murino is stunning beyond words. The real revelation was the production values, as good as the photography, lighting and costumes are the scenery and colours are just breathtaking.Overall, Zen was brilliant, I had high hopes and got more than I expected and I mean that in a good way. I don't know about anyone else but I also thought it was a very refreshing change of pace, however it is deserving of more episodes if and when it comes back, the three episodes while wholly satisfying still left me wanting more. 10/10 Bethany Cox

planetShhhh A bit harsh but this is just paper thin TV for a Sunday audience who want to look at something nice and escape before they clock in on Monday.Sewell is competent and sophisticated but often bland and monotone. The attempts to create tension, atmosphere and empathy come across mawkish at times because the acting is on the whole quite poor, for example the brother and sister in episode 3. Also many people have mentioned the accents and it is distracting that there are so many upper middle class Brits in Italy.It is well filmed and the cinematography is great and it could be that this is where they spent most of budget. Should a supposed classy TV drama rely so heavily on locations and lighting to provide entertainment? What about the writing? Even though I've not read the novels this adaptation feels rushed with little depth or strong characterisation.Nice women though, hence the screensaver comment. It seems the BBC made sure there was something attractive here because it certainly wasn't the plot. Seems like an expensive failure but people will still watch because British viewers are use to weak offerings like this.American TV drama will certainly not be quaking in it's boots at this standard UK fodder.

ph-nijman Wow, a treat for the eye and brain. Beautiful locations, la bella figura, good soundtrack, a 70-ish leader and colors that remind of The American (the one with Clooney's buttocks). Full of not obvious clichés as the mama and the 'damn-the-rules' driving.Rufus Sewell plays Aurelio Zen with an understated coolness that is nearly Bond-like. Although uncorrectable there is always a twist in the end. The suits are sharp, one hand never leaves his pocket and he strikes a pose when entering a room. Not when there are women in the room who he has to zip up, then he is the fumbling schoolboy. Caterina Murino as Tania Moretti, the office secretary all the men drool about, has a nearly chique appearance. But, the cleavages are to low, the skirts to tight and the top button with to much tension.The comparison between Kenneth Brannaugh's Wallander end Sewell's Zen is has to be made. Both play a foreign detective in the original setting. But in Wallander they cut back on the office lightning to create suspense and a gloomy, Swedish atmosphere. In Zen everything is vibrating with sunlight and warmth.Love it, we want more, we want more.