"Der Fahnder" (1985) TV series 1985-2005

Directors:

Jürgen Bretzinger
Hajo Gies

Writers:

Ingmar Gregorzewski (writer)
Werner Masten (writer)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12

Release Date:

3 October 1985 (West Germany)

Genre:

Crime

Plot Keywords:

Police

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Klaus Wennemann	...	Faber (91 episodes, 1985-1993)
Dietrich Mattausch	...	Norbert Rick / ... (48 episodes, 1985-2001)
Jörg Schüttauf	...	Thomas Becker (47 episodes, 1988-1997)
Martin Lindow	...	Tom Wells / ... (44 episodes, 1994-2005)
Michael Lesch	...	Martin Riemann (38 episodes, 1997-2001)
Hans-Jürgen Schatz	...	Max Kühn / ... (35 episodes, 1985-1993)
Barbara Freier	...	Susanne (34 episodes, 1985-1993)
Dieter Pfaff	...	Otto Schatzschneider / ... (31 episodes, 1985-1996)

Runtime:

45 min (203 episodes)

Country:

West Germany

Language:

German

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Filming Locations:

Cologne, North Rhine - Westphalia, Germany

Company:

Bavaria Film

'Der Fahnder' a.k.a 'The Investigator' - An original detective series from Deutscheland..

For starters 'The Investigator' was a serial aired by the German company Transtel which gave us other brilliant detective serials like 'Derrick' and 'The Old Fox'. 'The Investigator' revolved around an undercover cop named Faber and his police department in Munich, Germany.

Faber and his colleagues tackled everything, from deranged criminals with hostages to amateurs who want to make a quick buck by robbing people, or asking a ransom. What made this show a class apart from other detective serials was its interest in the characters and their development. Faber wasn't just a cop, his relationship with his girl-friend Suzannah was probed right from their courtship till the time they got married and after they had their first child.

Adding to the appeal of this show were the other witty and interesting characters. Faber's colleagues were an amusing, adorable lot, from the straight collared cute Max, also Faber's partner; to the funny Otto who provided plenty of humor with the silly enterprises he fell into every now and then! An integral part of this mayhem was of course Herr Rick, Faber's Boss who tried to maintain control with his exaggerated leadership skills but failed miserably..! The center of attention was their office which served as everything from an overnight refuge for hostages(in one case Faber himself) to a chaotic "madhouse"(Rick) with criminals hanging around the place as if they work there and there was a shortage of staff.

This was a memorable show which lasted for more than 8 years, must be even more.. I used to love it because unlike some other grim police serials this was funny, the characters were friendly, endearing and after awhile they became like old friends. In that sense, it was perhaps a little like 'Due South', which also a comic-drama revolving around the law and crime... 'The Investigator' would have lost its appeal if they had not bothered to individualize every character and present it in a rounded way. It was humorous without being slapstick and behind every crime that Faber used to perseveringly solve, there was a very realistic probe from a human, layman's point of view.

One thing that really amazed me about 'The Investigator' was its realism, the actors acted with such a panache that it really felt as if there was some hidden camera in some Police department in Munich and these guys were being shot on and off the job. Realism is one thing I really credit this serial for. I would like to Thank everyone connected with this serial, especially the actors- Klaus Wennemann(The Investigator himself), Hans Jurgen-Schatz(Max), Dieter Pfaff(Otto), Dietrich Mattausch(Rick) and Barbara Frier(Suzzanah, I wonder why she's not credited over here?) and the guy(Stefan Melbinger) who provided that catchy title music for the serial. Before I say "Ladies & Gentleman" I'll stop..!