Matador : Let's talk about this great show.

Shame that there is'nt more activity on this board, because Matador is a wonderfull tv-show.
So, if you are up to it, we could discuss, why Matador is such a great show. Why is that? The caracters, the plot, or something else?

I heard that it was based on the english tv-show; Upstairs-Downstairs, and what do you think about that?
I think Matador is so much more, I love Upstairs-downstairs, but that show is much more like a soap, and not so thought through and quality packed, as Matador. And I think, that the only resemblance is that you follow the "Downstairs" peoble and the "upstairs" peoble, and that is a nice touch, but that is the only thing the two tv-shows have in common, or what do you think?

An something I also heard, but can't get confirmed is; That Mr. Swan, was written out of the show, because the actor thought, that the show was based on him, that he was the main caracter, and that the show was based on him! If that's true, I think the actor is as annoying, as the caracter is in the show ;)
Have you heard something about that?
And by the way, which caracters do you love the most? I love Mrs. Fernado Mghe, she' so funny, and well thought through. And I love hating Mr. Swan ;)

So, what do you think, and do you have some interesting comments on the show?

Jm.

I love Matador. Personally I think this show is one of the best Ive ever seen, and I compare it to the best British productions, like The Forsythe Saga (the one from 1967). Matador is a wonderful mix of comedy and drama, character development, historic details, quality acting, stories within stories, wonderful locations and lovely music. I think perhaps no one in Matador is the main character, theres so many parallel stories to tell, and each person in the small city is interesting. If I had to name a favourite character, Id go for Maude. In many ways she seem like a fluffy airhead, and she is incompetent, spoiled and naive. But she also rise to a challenge, and it was genuinly touching to see her engage in saving Mr. Stein. But how could I pick, from such a rich gallery of characters. The pig dealer and his wife, they are solid gold. The waiter at the railway station caf, Misse Mghe, Pusling, Laura, Agnes, the good doctor, they all deserve my praise. And the rude Viggo Skjold-Hansen and his vulgar wife Musse. The noble, good friend Baron von Rytger. The choleric oberst Ditlev Hachel.

In fact I was wondering about the annoying Mr. Schwann, who disappeared from the show without any explanation. He just went up in smoke.

Id also like to mention the ending of each episode. They suddenly freeze the picture in the middle of a scene, and in such an intelligent way that they always get it right. Matador is a much better show than the original Upstairs Downstairs.

Hr. Schwann was writing out because he in season two asked for a high wage increase, so Hr. Balling wrote him out. Much also because he was annoying :)

I think Mr Schwann was written out from the show because the actor who played him had health problems. He was the eldest of them all (born: November 9, 1897) and died even before the last episode was aired (November 28, 1981).

Rudolf Schwann wasn't my favorite character but I'm sorry for him because he was poor and had no money in the evening of his life and that wasn't his fault. Partially at least.

The way I see it, the music teacher Andersen simply took over Schwann's story arch. You'd just as well work it in your head, so that Andersen is in actual fact Schwann, as you're watching it. (Different actor n' stuff, but)

Yes, I agree, this show is worth so much more attention. But maybe the fact that it is a Danish production - and therefore less internationally known - is the main reason for this. We can hope that it becomes more known in other countries, because even though it is an old production it is completely timeless.

Anyway, I have just re-watched the whole series, (as my own personal Christmas calendar, 24 is a nice number!) and I still love it and am so fascinated how they managed to produce a series that could spellbind a whole nation, several times, even! Part of the reason I love "Matador" is that the story allows the characters to evolve. Maude steps into character when she has to face HC's adultery, Daniel learns to stand up for himself, Skjold-Hansen changes completely after his stroke, Agnes goes from being a humble - but obstinate - maid to becoming a successful and independent business woman, just to name a few of the personal developments. One of the less important characters, Mrs. Violet Vinter, changes after inheriting a small fortune from being a sympathetic and helpful person into a completely selfish drunk. But to me, the most important change in the story, is the one from enmity into friendship in the relation between the Varnaes and Skjern families. The first episode introduces the conflict and it is solved after so many intricate twists and turns in the 24th and final episode.

Maybe you won't agree with me on this, but watching the series also makes me a bit sad. Many, not to say most, of these lovely actors have passed away today and when you make a count, they make an impressively long list of brilliant 'creme de la creme' of Danish theater, that are with only a few exceptions, IMHO, replaced by actors of the same quality today.

My husband never watched this, so we're spending our Easter in the company of the people of Korsbk.

I always had a great love for the strong women in this show Ingeborg, so down to earth and with her undying dedication to her family and her wit and ability to take her husband off his high horse with one very thought-filled remark Elisabeth with her cool and calm demeanor hiding a soul so full of fire and passion for what she really wants, and yet she ends up time and time again sacrificing her happiness for others. And Agnes, who is so string and so independent and who grows into a successful businesswoman in no time, stepping up when need be

I do not have a favorite episode, other maybe than the one where Vicky meets Herbert there are so many star-crossed lovers in this show, and I love them all

jeg tror roligt i kan tale dansk ingen andre ved det her eksisterer

Ned Charles:
THE REASON I DON'T LIKE BLACK RAPPERS
They don't rap about my life.

Nej, det var ogs det jeg tnkte

I'll tell you the meaning of life, but first you have to promise not to laugh

Du kan roligt tale dansk, fr jag r svensk och skning och van vid det danska sprket.
Det hr r det bsta jag sett i serievg. Formidabla gestaltningar av mnniskorna i Korsbaek. Min favorit r Agnes. En starkare mnniska fr man leta efter.

Fingal61

N kom jeg litt tilfeldig til g inn igjen p denne diskusjonstrden, og dermed er jeg i gang: maraton-reprise p Matador. Hadde egentlig planlagt vente med dette til sent i oktober/november, nr kveldene er lange og mrke. Men nei, tante Mghe og hennes crew fr meg igjen! Jeg elsker denne serien. Den tilhrer mine absolutte favoritter i DVD-samlingen.

While visiting Denmark for 5 days EVERYONE I met, when they discovered how much I liked Danish TV shows like Borgen and The Bridge said "Have you seen Matador?" "You MUST see Matador!", so before I left to return to the US, I bought the series. I am up to episode 15 and I LOVE it. It and Krniken are two series worth getting hold of. They are both great.

>> jeg tror roligt i kan tale dansk ingen andre ved det her eksisterer

Der er jo ingen skade for at prve at slge den til resten af verden. Why not?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzlcTXnH4QU&list=PL1zefP4G38zjKgg9L_8KMzuabVIe0S5wG

Whole damn thing with English subtitles.