DVD Review: Hinderland

Compared to The Fall and Broadchurch, the dark Welsh detective series HINTERLAND, Series 1 debuts on DVD on July 1, 2014 from Acorn, an RLJ Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: RLJE) brand. A gritty noir set amid the remote seascape of Aberystwyth, Hinterland stars Lark Rise to Candleford’s Richard Harrington in this gorgeously shot 2013 production. The DVD 4-disc set includes 4 feature-length episodes, plus behind-the-scenes clips and more ($59.99, AcornOnline.com). A second series is currently in production. Intriguingly, the series was filmed in both Welsh and English. The Welsh version premiered in Wales on S4C in October 2013, while the bilingual version in this DVD set aired in the U.K. on BBC One Wales and BBC Four in 2014.

What Wallander is to Sweden and The Killing is to Denmark, Hinterland is to Wales: a dark and harrowing detective drama with compelling characters and suspenseful stories. Filmed on location in the starkly beautiful coastal town of Aberystwyth, this “no-holds-barred gritty thriller” (Western Mail) was an immediate hit with viewers and critics, hailed as “groundbreaking” (The Observer) and “magnificent” (London Evening Standard).

Richard Harrington (Bleak House) is DCI Tom Mathias, a brilliant, brooding loner newly arrived in this isolated land of mountainous terrain and close-knit villages after 10 years with London’s Metropolitan Police. Mali Harries (Foyle’s War) is smart, hard-working DI Mared Rhys, a local girl who knows Aberystwyth society inside out. Together they confront a series of mystifying murders that ultimately push Mathias to the edge.

BONUS: The myths behind two of the episodes, behind-the-scenes clips (24 min.), Welsh show reel (4 min.), and a photo gallery

Street Date: July 1, 2014                              SRP: $59.99  

DVD 4-Disc Set: 4 feature-length episodes on 4 discs • approx. 398 min., plus bonus • 16:9 widescreen • SDH subtitles • UPC 0-54961-2143-9-6

Contains strong language, violence, and disturbing images

My Thoughts

Hinterland is a detective series set in Wales. The seaside town makes a fitting backdrop for the dark storyline. The show follows DCI Tom Mathias who is a great cop but something of a loner.  After working in London for ten years, it's quite an adjustment for him to get used to the small towners in the village towns. This DVD set includes four episodes, each one just under 100 minutes. They include:

Devil's Bridge - This is Mathias' first day at the new job. A older woman is murdered, but the body is missing. The case leads to an old orphanage and the local legend of the Devil's Bridge seems tied to the disappearance.This may be a case of revenge.

Night Music - Another older member of the community is killed, this time beaten and left for dead at a remote farm. Though she was thought a recluse, she was somehow wrapped up in land deals and missing German soldiers.

Penwyllt - An unidentified body is found in a lake, almost naked. The people in the town have no intention of talking, so Mathias is on his own. Was this a suicide or a murder?

The Girl In the Water - A body is found dressed in scarlet. The murder reminds Mathias of the past that caused him to leave London.

I loved this series. It's  filled with action, unique story lines, and surprising conclusions. The backdrop is beautiful and all the actors give stellar performances.  The series does end in a bit of a cliffhanger, so I know I'll be anxiously awaiting the release of series 2.

If you'd like to grab a copy of this fantastic series for yourself, you can order a copy on the Acorn Media website for only $59.99.