Cpt. Exner

The Cpt. Exner series is a long-standing debt to the original Barrandov detective film The Treasure of the Byzantine Merchant, in which the hero of Václav Erben's original Czech detective stories first appeared. Debt, you ask? Yes, you read that correctly. During the normalization period, two more films were made for television and two more for movie theaters. Exner was never played by Vala again, and every single project started from scratch with its own Exner. It’s not an ideal calling card for an adaptation of a consistent series that has become a favorite among readers over the years. I, therefore, find this Prima series to be a nice idea. Unfortunately, each case split into two dilutes the pace of the investigation, which a large portion of the audience doesn't view with enthusiasm. However, there's so much more room to build a confident story between Exner (the sexy Dlouhý) and his Exner Girl (the sexy Kerekes, who is fabulously tongue-tied). Again, this is the motif that I searched for in vain in the normalization films, when the chemistry between Vala and Gabi Vránová started so successfully. Well, it's exactly, but I accept this debt with open arms and I look forward, maybe in the future, that some of the domestic TV stations will download it for other domestic investigators, because there really is a lot to draw from. (03/09/2017)

Is Dlouhý's resolution of the first Exner case wonderful to the point of being great? Well, it’s not particularly dazzling, but it is certainly acceptable. I had a lot of fun with the mother who was ripe for marrying off her son played by Jitka Sedláčková, I liked Máša Málková, and the pair of old criminal elements, Tesařová and Nárožný, were also good. It's got good ideas in places, and I'm curious about what comes next. It’s much better than some of the other Czech series. (03/09/2017)

As we enter the second case, Cpt. Exner becomes a particularly enjoyable Prague event. I love seeing Exner walk around Prague, and the crime is committed in the 1st underground antique shop, and my God, the views from the Barrandov villas... Well, it has its better moments. Moreover, the guys have a nice bromance interaction with each other, and Exner himself reliably irritates professors and dentists of all natures. Overall, it’s pretty good. (03/09/2017)

An utterly charming continuation of the actor's case. Kanyza and Němcová in the roles of film and radio directors, Navrátil running the 1st underground antique shop, Pat and Mat searching, and Exner looking good. This makes me happy. (01/10/2017)

One of the weaker cases of the elegant Exner. Although the main theme makes one feel the main advantage of Erben's predecessors, this time the episodic characters played by the likes of Vondráčková (Plekancová) are somewhat detrimental to the whole. (19/10/2017)

Fortunately, the weaker part, as it was played out in the last episode, was again improved to something watchable, especially by Viktor Preiss. I was also touched by the fact that even in such a series there was room for a girlish romance between Šeredová and Poullain (Polívková). (19/10/2017)

This good caricature case from a military environment is again packed to the brim with contemporary acting faces (Čvančarová, Langmajer...), leaving almost no room for developing the characters around Exner and their lives outside criminal investigation. Which is really too bad. But I really did enjoy the joint scenes of two legendary Czech redheads, Hrubešová and Kerekes, who became famous, particularly for their revealing scenes. In this way, their strengths (looks) and weaknesses (purely intuitive acting) stand out beautifully side by side. (19/10/2017)

Exner's busy - the cases are getting better. This episode shows what Erben’s books are strongest in - an environment on the edge between art and a pavilion gossip room. Exner's refined style thus stands out, as well as particularly the duo of Beránek and Vlček. There are also good acting performances by Zawadská, Syslová, Brousek Jr., Mysička and Nový. It’s good. (22/10/2017)

The never-ending gossip in one house slowly but surely unravels another crime. I like it. I'm looking forward to the last case. (22/10/2017)

One final case. This time known from an earlier treatment. While the old TV production didn't turn out great, it's the perfect culmination for the current series. On the recommendation of his rusty dentist, Exner unravels a story around a family full of intrigue and a village full of gossip. It's so human... (15/11/2017)

The surviving modern series about Exner from Erben's workshop comes to an end, paying a debt to this substance that began in 1966. (15/11/2017)