A world-class German series. Camera, story, actor! Everything seems to be right in this German series. The six-part captivates from the first minute, only comes a little lurch in the end. All in all, however, an extraordinary achievement from the author as well as the actor and director. True Detective in Germany
18 Reviews
Tense, disturbing but a little too safe
davidallenxyz3 February 2022
The series is very much like it's lead character Thomas Bethge (Matthias Brandt). Steady, stoic, and thorough. The contrast with the behaviour of the various suspects in the murder of his sister is both a strength and a weakness. There is a slow build up of tension, but a significant amount of screen time is taken up with repeating situations we have already seen before.
A slight disappointment is that the final episode doesn't end up exploring all the possibilities that were suggested in the previous two. But perhaps that is the danger when doing a "true crime" drama - I didn't know anything about the events it is based on, but the production team are understandably wary of taking too many liberties with what actually happened.
A slight disappointment is that the final episode doesn't end up exploring all the possibilities that were suggested in the previous two. But perhaps that is the danger when doing a "true crime" drama - I didn't know anything about the events it is based on, but the production team are understandably wary of taking too many liberties with what actually happened.
Well acted
gallagherkellie22 February 2022
The story was quite gripping, it wasn't until the last 2 episodes that things dragged a little. It was shot and directed well, and the costume and make up department did such a good job and ageing the cast over the decades!
When you just HAVE TO know...
shoshanim13 June 2021
This series was one of the best I've watched in long time on all levels.
While it is detective murder mystery, it goes well beyond that to draw you deep into the suffering and pain endured by the family of a missing wife/mother/ sister. The pacing of the show, while keeping you on the edge of your seat, at the same time enables you to experience the agonizing heartache of the family of the missing woman over an excruciating 27 years. That is masterfully accomplished, so much so that I found myself in tears at the conclusion having gone along on their journey for the truth.
Watch it.
While it is detective murder mystery, it goes well beyond that to draw you deep into the suffering and pain endured by the family of a missing wife/mother/ sister. The pacing of the show, while keeping you on the edge of your seat, at the same time enables you to experience the agonizing heartache of the family of the missing woman over an excruciating 27 years. That is masterfully accomplished, so much so that I found myself in tears at the conclusion having gone along on their journey for the truth.
Watch it.
Gripping!
florian-zenk7 December 2020
Slows to a Crawl
Warin_West-El26 March 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Series started out pretty good. But the last three episodes began to really bog down. Perhaps the filmmakers were trying to have the audience experience the strain of what the investigators went through.
But there were repetitious dream sequences that had no bearing on the plot and no relevance to the investigation. I found myself fast-forwarding through the last two episodes.
What was REALLY disappointing was, the two major breakthroughs in the case occurred completely by happenstance rather than by the logical deductions of the investigators. Essentially, the only quality the detectives brought to bear was dogged persistence.
The primary killer captured himself by having an auto accident. And the corpse was found when a tile broke beneath Thomas Bethge's feet.
Furthermore, it was never fully explained why the Weesenburg police department tried so hard to prevent Bethge from succeeding. I was expecting the revelation of a secret long-standing feud between Bethge and someone in Weesenburg. But that never happened.
As it has been pointed out, "Dark Woods" is a poor choice for the title of this series. The forest is tangential to the location of the main action.
This story could have been thoroughly told in five episodes. Starting at episode 3 you can sense the filmmakers straining to stretch this series out to 6 episodes.
But there were repetitious dream sequences that had no bearing on the plot and no relevance to the investigation. I found myself fast-forwarding through the last two episodes.
What was REALLY disappointing was, the two major breakthroughs in the case occurred completely by happenstance rather than by the logical deductions of the investigators. Essentially, the only quality the detectives brought to bear was dogged persistence.
The primary killer captured himself by having an auto accident. And the corpse was found when a tile broke beneath Thomas Bethge's feet.
Furthermore, it was never fully explained why the Weesenburg police department tried so hard to prevent Bethge from succeeding. I was expecting the revelation of a secret long-standing feud between Bethge and someone in Weesenburg. But that never happened.
As it has been pointed out, "Dark Woods" is a poor choice for the title of this series. The forest is tangential to the location of the main action.
This story could have been thoroughly told in five episodes. Starting at episode 3 you can sense the filmmakers straining to stretch this series out to 6 episodes.
Excellent miniseries, complex story, satisfying finish
symmachos4 December 2021
I had trouble getting into the first episode of this six-part series. That was partly because it was hard to sort out the flashbacks from events in the present day, and partly because the show looked like a standard European procedural with a mismatched male/female pair of detectives (one cliche) investigating the disappearance and murder of various young women (another cliche) as well as a few men. But since the show was streaming on Topic, and just about everything else I'd seen on Topic turned out to be excellent, I persisted and was glad I did.
The story is complex and the investigation ends up lasting for decades, but the plot is well constructed and the conclusion makes sense. All the actors are strong, especially the tormented protagonist, played by Matthias Brandt (who was also brilliant as Benda in Babylon Berlin). I'd recommend this show to anyone who likes crime dramas -- especially true crime, since "Dark Woods" is based on an actual case: the Göhrde murders of 1989.
One commenter complained that the title (in German -- Das Geheimnis das Totenwaldes, The Secret of the Deadly Forest) was misleading. I don't understand that criticism, since many of the corpses were discovered in Iseforst, a forest in Germany; the forest itself appears in every episode; characters often mention Iseforst; and in the series, the media start calling the crime scene "Totenwald." So the title seems perfectly apt, in English as well as German -- especially if you interpret it both literally and metaphorically (e.g., the "selva oscura" -- dark forest -- mentioned in the opening verses of Dante's Inferno).
The story is complex and the investigation ends up lasting for decades, but the plot is well constructed and the conclusion makes sense. All the actors are strong, especially the tormented protagonist, played by Matthias Brandt (who was also brilliant as Benda in Babylon Berlin). I'd recommend this show to anyone who likes crime dramas -- especially true crime, since "Dark Woods" is based on an actual case: the Göhrde murders of 1989.
One commenter complained that the title (in German -- Das Geheimnis das Totenwaldes, The Secret of the Deadly Forest) was misleading. I don't understand that criticism, since many of the corpses were discovered in Iseforst, a forest in Germany; the forest itself appears in every episode; characters often mention Iseforst; and in the series, the media start calling the crime scene "Totenwald." So the title seems perfectly apt, in English as well as German -- especially if you interpret it both literally and metaphorically (e.g., the "selva oscura" -- dark forest -- mentioned in the opening verses of Dante's Inferno).
Not that Dark of a Woods
s1d33p26 November 2021
The title is so misleading. There is barely a 15 minute reference out of a runtime of approximately 6 hours.
The show starts of as murder mystery but than slowly moves into procedural of finding a kidnapped person.
It's based on a real story as they say but could have created in a much better way for TV/VOD.
Some in the reviews have compared this to True Detective, I don't think it's even comparable to the Good Nordic shows let alone True Detective. The closest it comes to are Brit Detective shows.
The show starts of as murder mystery but than slowly moves into procedural of finding a kidnapped person.
It's based on a real story as they say but could have created in a much better way for TV/VOD.
Some in the reviews have compared this to True Detective, I don't think it's even comparable to the Good Nordic shows let alone True Detective. The closest it comes to are Brit Detective shows.
Surprised me!
Poster-Boy11 October 2021
When I first started watching this series I almost bailed on it. Maybe it's that it seemed to start a little slow and that it was another crime show where the young brash female detective would save the day. She does play a vital part but the story doesn't fit into a neat package.
Great acting and direction and the plot will keep you interested.
Great acting and direction and the plot will keep you interested.
More docu- than drama
jeffpsy25 February 2023
In sifting through some of the reviews of Dark Woods, I was surprised to see so many words, like "gripping" and "captivating." While I found it interesting, well acted, and well produced, for me it was a bit more plodding than gripping. By episode 6, I felt much like the characters who had been waiting for an answer for 28 years: a bit weary.
I assume that the filmmakers adhered closely to the real facts of the case, but I wanted more dramatic highs and lows, and less of a muted documentary feel. Indeed I felt like the series could have played out in a brisker, tighter 4 or 5 episodes than the six.
On a side note, I watched the series on the newly discovered (for me) Topic channel. On Topic, the default version is English dubbed. I quickly got out of that version to watch it in the original German with English subs. Much better. Would I recommend this series? Yes. Would I rave about it? No.
I assume that the filmmakers adhered closely to the real facts of the case, but I wanted more dramatic highs and lows, and less of a muted documentary feel. Indeed I felt like the series could have played out in a brisker, tighter 4 or 5 episodes than the six.
On a side note, I watched the series on the newly discovered (for me) Topic channel. On Topic, the default version is English dubbed. I quickly got out of that version to watch it in the original German with English subs. Much better. Would I recommend this series? Yes. Would I rave about it? No.
Superb series
Vindelander30 January 2022
Watched this series in one evening it was so good. Based on a true story it spans a 25 year hunt for a serial killer/s and it's a truly fascinating account of grit and determination on the part of the investigation team, who had to endure so many obstacles within their own division.
Great cast, script, production and direction I can heartily recommend it.
Great cast, script, production and direction I can heartily recommend it.
A sophidticated hybred of Colombo and Road Runner
Pizzaowner14 February 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This series has all the sophistication of an episode of Colombo.
Imagine Colombo blended with the inevitability of Road Runner and you have a clue as to the sophistication of this police procedural drama.
The antics are strictly from the 70's and modern police rules and guidelines are flagrantly thrown out the window.
The actors are great and the scenery, although bleak and dark like most German dramas, is attractive overall.
The writing is DISMAL and it has the quality that would have disappointed a high school writing teacher.
The sheer number of dead ends and false leads is staggering and the volume of Red Herrings would make a Bouillabaisse large enough to feed the German army.
This show is one tiny insignificant plot and it's dragged, screaming and protesting for 6 agonizing episodes until I found, at episode 3, I didn't even care who did or didn't do it.
The Danes know Drama, the French understand love stories and the Italians know about marital strife. These people know nothing I want to watch.
Imagine Colombo blended with the inevitability of Road Runner and you have a clue as to the sophistication of this police procedural drama.
The antics are strictly from the 70's and modern police rules and guidelines are flagrantly thrown out the window.
The actors are great and the scenery, although bleak and dark like most German dramas, is attractive overall.
The writing is DISMAL and it has the quality that would have disappointed a high school writing teacher.
The sheer number of dead ends and false leads is staggering and the volume of Red Herrings would make a Bouillabaisse large enough to feed the German army.
This show is one tiny insignificant plot and it's dragged, screaming and protesting for 6 agonizing episodes until I found, at episode 3, I didn't even care who did or didn't do it.
The Danes know Drama, the French understand love stories and the Italians know about marital strife. These people know nothing I want to watch.
Glorious
bhatiasexy10 February 2022
Gripping, well made German mini series
jacoblipsonjl6 February 2022
Flicking through the menus I came across this one by chance.
Wasn't expecting much, but I was really pleasantly surprised.
Very well made, believable acting, excellent camera work, and a very gripping story based on actual events.
The final scenes have me goosebumps!
Wasn't expecting much, but I was really pleasantly surprised.
Very well made, believable acting, excellent camera work, and a very gripping story based on actual events.
The final scenes have me goosebumps!
Gripping
fificameron16 February 2022
First German drama I have watched and I loved it. Acting superb, heartbreaking to know this is a true story as it really sucked you in and made you feel the emotion and effect the events had on the loved ones over 3 decades. Executed brilliantly.
Extraordinary for being true
lisbethinsydney5 June 2022
This German drama is a slow burn but a worthwhile one as the complex, almost unbelievable events unfold. Spanning three decades and a change of century, Dark Woods shows us how methods of police detection changed and assisted in finally closing the case. It's those who didn't change who are the problem with their jaw-dropping hurriedness to drop the original investigation and failure to follow up on basic procedures. There are some telling scenes such as when the new female prosecutor tells Anne Bach "You sound like a man" to which she replies "That's the only way to get things done here". Still, it's hard to know how the original prosecutor and police captain of the area force can live with themselves after this.
Great Series
itriatay9951 February 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This is one of the best German tv series that I have watched. A great ending. Maybe some will think that the series are boring but the fact is that this series need patience. The events go slowly because of the details of the case since it took more or less 25-30 years.
True Story
crumpytv1 May 2022
A German production of the same ilk as Nordic Noire.
A true crime, so no real observations about the story.
The only problem I had was that Anne Bach was just not convincing as a murder detective. So fresh faced she looked like she should have been in school and was very diminutive and androgynous. Karoline Schuch played the part well enough, but she did not look right to my eye.
Some good performances all round and well worth watching.
A true crime, so no real observations about the story.
The only problem I had was that Anne Bach was just not convincing as a murder detective. So fresh faced she looked like she should have been in school and was very diminutive and androgynous. Karoline Schuch played the part well enough, but she did not look right to my eye.
Some good performances all round and well worth watching.
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