Commissaris Roos

I got to knew this late 80s/early 90s series only by the 2008 reruns on VTM. It is a pity that Commissaris Roos never is released on DVD, as I would like to buy at least a few of the episodes. I do now and then ask for an episode with iWatch, simply because I like it.

By both modern Flemish (Belgium) and international late 80s standards, it does look a bit dated I mus admit. While Inspector Columbo might be good comparison, it is nothing like Miami Vice or Magnum PI, let alone Aspe or Witse. But Commissaris Roos was decent produced with very decent actors. Note there is some mild overacting, but I guess this was normal for that time.

Series one is most Agatha Christie like, with many murders take place among castles and big mansions. Series 2 is a bit more harsh and 'Flemish' in appearance, with more cases revolving around themes like drugs and footbal (socker) gooligans.

Ward De Raver did a great job in his portrayal of a chief detective. However, he may nowadays appear a bit of a 'softie' with his spotless formal attire and granddad like speaking. Also the fact that he rarely draws his gun and interviews possible murderers at the scene of the crime is no modern police work anymore. Commissaris Roos his methods all look like coming from a different time era. Nowadays, his portrayal would remind more of how a Examing Magistrate would deal with the research of crime.

In the end Commissaris Roos is great to look back at how crime series were made in Belgium once and how far we have come from that.