Zen [DVD]

An admirable BBC production, well cast, beautifully filmed and what happened? An idiotic editorial decision saw this cut from the schedule as the main character was a(nother) white male detective, so never mind the quality...I despair. Please don't overlook this fine albeit short-lived gem of a production. It's fabulous and the BBC's decision was foolish, short sighted and lamentable.

I often wonder why certain television companies make decisions regarding wonderful series like Zen and sending them into the trash bin. This top quality mini series could have run and run - with such superb acting and directing from all involved it is a crying shame that no more were made.That saying, these three episodes are up there with the best of British television and that's saying something! Rufus Sewell is amazing as Zen - the honest Italian cop - a character see keeps up with all through each episode. The story lines are good too, with plenty of guesswork when necessary.For me watching Zen again, after several years of it being unavailable was and is a refreshing change to a lot of cop based TV series - and you don't need subtitles either.If you want quality television at its best, then buy this, you will not be disappointed.

Ah, Rufus Sewell with those cheekbones you could slice lemons with! This series had a very short run on television and I could never understand why. The casting was excellent, the locations perfect, and the acting perfection. Sewell has a very 1960s look, with his sharp suits and cropped hairstyle - in fact, all the men in the Questura look very chiselled and sharp. I have read Michael Dibdin Zen stories but prefer them on television as sometimes the dialogue is a little clunky.For anyone looking for cerebral thrillers, buy this DVD. You will not be disappointed. 5 stars.

.... and yet the BBC pour mega-millions into a new Top Gear and despite all the pre-hype it's first edition has only pulled in 4.4 million viewers (which doesn't bode well for its International sales). Doesn't the BBC realise that many people like quality and intelligent programmes to view?Anyway the review -I watched this when it was first broadcast in 2011 and loved it. My husband insists that he never saw it, which baffles me as we have always spent our evenings together and so why would I watch it without him? There's no other signs of early onset dementia (in either of us!!).However, he DOES watch and really enjoys all the BBC4 Saturday evening European dramas, from Montalbana to the Scandi's, and so I thought that I would buy the Zen box set to watch together.As it was some 5-years since I originally saw the series it was like watching for the first time for me (and it WAS watching for the first time for my husband - or so he still insists!). ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC. Three episodes of absolute first-class storylines, acting and scenery and the cinematography is so atmospheric. Total bliss. Once the programme was set up (sets, actors etc) it surely wouldn't have been that expensive to adapt more of the books? Such a wasted opportunity - and all thanks to Danny Cohen of the BBC (interestingly, at 42-years of age he is now said on WIKI to be 'an unemployed television director).If you haven't ever seen this series then I highly recommend that you do so and - if you have - then you already know that it's well worth seeing again.AND let's be honest, the added bonus of Rufus Sewell's handsome dark looks and gorgeous voice is even more icing on the cake, isn't it?!.

Quite possibly one of the best 'cop' dramas ever produced by the BBC. Rufus Sewell is perfectly cast as the Venetian detective working in Rome, Aurelio Zen. Michael Dibdin's Zen stories are already a great starting point but the cast and crew here have produced a series of gems. The balance of tension, humour and romance is brilliantly handled and delivered at a perfect pace. The only downside is knowing that the man responsible for commissioning at the BBC decided that he would not give the go ahead for any more episodes to be made. I know the person in question had what they thought were sound and well considered reasons for his decision but it doesn't alter the fact the he was a completely short-sighted incompetent of unparalled magnitude. It's too late now for this cast and too late most certainly for the talented Francesco Quinn (the image of his father, Anthony) who tragically died of heart failure while out jogging with his children just a short time after this series was first aired. But all these sadnesses to one side, this is a cracking series which will not disappoint.

What a pity the BBC cancelled this series. Shame on them!!The novels are enjoyable and these filmed episodes live up to them. The plots are interesting, and the superb acting (especially by Rufus Sewell) brings out the humour. Filmed in Rome, the series is a feast for the eyes.If the idiots at the BBC can't recognise quality, then perhaps another company/channel can do a "Bake Off" and take them on. It would be a more worthwhile project than some of the dross we have to put up with.

After reading some of the 5 star reviews about the general quality of the story etc we were looking forward to watching this. Watch this for less than an hour and was put off by the poor poor sound quality, not the dvd, but the production. Insisting on high level of background sounds and incidental music ruined a potential winner. This atry way of making it appear your sitting at the next table overhearing the conversation is ridiculous. As for the lead role, what is this with the mumbling through some of his lines???? I can see why the BBC Execs may have decided to end this series after 3 episodes, maybe poor sound got to them. All in All not a big success I would think for sales.