“Tatort” from Munich
Murder under the mistletoe: Batic and Leitmayr on the trail of Agatha Christie
The Munich “Tatort” commissioners Franz Leitmayr (Udo Wachtveitl, left) and Ivo Batic (Miroslav Nemec, right) are investigating this time as Chief Inspector Francis Lightmyer and Constable Ivor Partridge
© BR/Bavaria Fiction GmbH/Hendrik Heiden / ARD
The “Tatort” dares an experiment at Christmas: The Munich inspectors Franz Leitmayr and Ivo Batic embark on a journey through time and investigate in 1922 as police officers in an English mansion. There the butler was killed.
- 3 out of 5 points
- A “crime scene” as a costume film in the style of Agatha Christie
What’s the matter?
The Munich detectives Franz Leitmayr (Udo Wachtveitl) and Ivo Batic (Miroslav Nemec) are invited to Christmas dinner by their colleague Kalli (Ferdinand Hofer). When they arrive at the apartment, they are amazed: the two are waiting for five more costumed colleagues at a festively set table. Kalli explains to Leitmayr and Batic that it is a murder mystery dinner where each guest slips into a role to solve a murder. The investigators only reluctantly get involved in the game – and find themselves a little later in an English mansion. The scenery jumps to 1922, where Batic and Leitmayr as Constable Ivor Partridge and Chief Inspector Francis Lightmyer are called to an operation: Lady Mona Bantam’s (Sunnyi Melles) butler was killed on Christmas Eve. It is the prelude to an entertaining chamber play. In addition to the lady of the house, her son and his former lover, the perpetrators can also be a clergyman, a doctor and a chambermaid.
Why is the “Murder under mistletoe” case worthwhile?
The thriller on Boxing Day has a long tradition. Two years ago there was a western “crime scene” from Ludwigshafen, last year there was a horror film with Udo Lindenberg. In the Munich case with Batic and Leitmayr, things are now much more relaxed and contemplative – that’s very beneficial after an already turbulent year. The suspense is not neglected, after all, the makers (book: Robert Löhr, director: Jobst Christian Oetzmann) walk in the footsteps of Agatha Christie or deliberately allude to the characters Sherlock Holmes and Dr. watson A bit of flair of the “Downton Abbey” series can also be felt. The setting is extremely successful, the props and costumes are convincing and Sunnyi Melles in particular shines as a British aristocrat.
What bothers?
The plot repeatedly jumps between place and time: sometimes the protagonists are in Munich in 2022, then again in England in 1922. Not all the actors remain consistent in their roles. When Batic and Leitmayr explain themselves as Constable Ivor Partridge and Chief Inspector Francis Lightmyer what to do next, it makes little sense. Statements such as “damned axe”, which the doctor Dr. Mallard (Alexander Hörbe) active in a scene does not fit the year 1922. The idea of the role-playing game could have been implemented more consistently.
The commissioners?
The atmosphere between the Munich commissioners is quite tense. After 30 years of service, Ivo Batic is considering early retirement and has not personally informed his long-time colleague about it. Franz Leimayr feels offended and reacts offended. “We don’t really work together anymore because everyone just does their thing,” says Batic. Do the two get back together or is this the next “crime scene” farewell? After all, Batic and Leitmayr have been investigating as a team since 1991 and are therefore among the longest-serving detectives.
Turn on or off?
A film to watch relaxed on Boxing Day. If you’re expecting a classic crime thriller, you might be disappointed.
Commissioners Batic and Leitmayr recently investigated the following cases: