I enjoyed the Danish TV drama ‘The Killing’ on BBC4 earlier this year so it was with some trepidation that I tuned into the US remake.
The US version is classy, without a doubt, and has a distinctly European feel. It is, however, a virtual word-for-word, scene-for-scene copy (based on last week’s double episode). Apparently, though, the ending is different.
Many of the characters look and sound like their Danish original and have similar names (Lund / Linden). But, to me, some of the American actors just didn’t pull it off. In the Danish version the character of the Mayor was both avuncular and a wily political operator but his US equivalent was bland. This was even more pronounced in the difference between sexy and occasionally sinister Troels Hartmann – his US equivalent is too conventional, too smooth and basically just an identikit American politician.
The US version is stylishly shot and either the music was the same or very similar. The trademark dramatic crescendo at the end of an episode was copied across.
Overall, although it was well put together I just struggled to see the point. When something is as perfect as the Danish original was, why try to copy it? Is it that the networks think that Americans can’t cope with subtitles? If so, how patronising is that? I watch a lot of subtitled films or dramas and although at first it can take a few minutes to get used to it, after that I find I get so caught up in the story that I’m barely aware that I’m actually reading subtitles, so natural does it seem.
Some people rave about American dramas on TV. Admittedly they’re slick but, with the exception of idealistic and witty West Wing and brilliantly wacky Boston Legal, I just don’t get the fixation with American TV. Swedish Wallander, Danish The Killing and French Spiral get my vote any day.
I am a Conservative Councillor, representing Kentwood Ward in Reading. I am also currently Deputy Chairman of LGBTory.
