While in the U.K., thanks to the TV channel BBC4, the English people get acquainted for the first time to the Inspector Montalbano’s adventures, at the same time here, in Sicily, we are getting to know, little at the time, how Salvo Montalbano became the so much talked about Commissioner of Vigata. The substitution, already in the third week episode, does not make one miss the old inspector.
The show has had a boom in the ratings and it seems to be of good quality, and if I may say so, Michele Ridondino, as well as Luca Zingaretti, are very likable, and the ladies like them too.
The screenplay of the series, directed by Gianluca Tavarelli, has been written by Andrea Camilleri. The settings are always the same: the magical ones of Ragusa Ibla, Scicli, Punta Secca and the hinterland. And every time I see that landscape, that town square, those beaches, so dear to me, I get emotional time and again.
At the same time, in reading some statement made by Michele Rondino, we get the impression that he does not show to have much conviction on the work, fearing that the THE NEW MONTALBANO could simply be a shrewd commercial trick: [Google Translates] “Non sono un fan della fiction che ho visto dopo essere stato scelto. In compenso, sono un lettore e appassionato di Andrea Camilleri […] in Camilleri la mafia è trattata in modo diverso da come siamo abituati a vederla solitamente. Lui non mostra la mafia che uccide, ma quella che è entrata nella profondità dei comportamenti della gente, quella che per ‘convincerti’ non ha bisogno di sparare. […] Ci tengo a restare uno normale. Spero che non mi capiti quanto accaduto a Luca Zingaretti. Ma sono solo sei puntate e il pubblico ha memoria breve. All’inizio ho avuto molti dubbi, non ero certo di voler accettare questo ruolo ma Tavarelli e Camilleri, che ci teneva tanto a sviscerare gli inizi della sua creatura, mi hanno convinto.”
And the young Montalbano jumps up with his temperamental features:
[Google Translates] “Introverso, timido, riservato, anche un po’ insolente nel rapporto con gli altri, forse per mascherare le sue debolezze. A volte abusa un po’ del suo ruolo, ma solo per darsi un tono. Odia le gerarchie, ma fa parte della piramide. Insomma, vive un po’ in contraddizione“
Even us, as good Sicilians, are used to live in contradiction! In the next episode the commissioner has already moved to the now very famous Punta Secca’s residence.
Lucia Iacono
http://evainsicily-siculasugnu.blogspot.com/
I have read all the old Montalbano books and have the shows on DVDs. Someone told me about the Young Montalbano shows. I will see if I can get them from Netflix.
I visited Ragusa in 2004 to see a retired Italian Air Force friend. The entire southern coast of Sicily is an interesting place to visit.
The young Montalbano is extremely nice to look at and he plays the part well, but unfortuately he is not Luca Zingaretti, I do so hope that there will be a series 6 with Luca Zingaretti in it, he is MONTALBANO. I will watch young Montalbano again as I like to see Italy and the actual series is very good.
Dear Christine
there will be again Salvo Montalbano (the older)… New episodes are ready for next season in Italy. They worked hard during last spring time in Ragusa area for them!
Buona visione!
Lucia (Evainsicily)
Lucia, fantastic news that they are filming another series with the older Montalbano. It made my day when I read your post.
The run of Young Montalbano has just finished in Australia. Enjoyed it immensely.
As a native Sicilian (from Naso, provincia Messina), it does my heart good to see the glorious countryside.
I love these shows! I gave the first 6 episode discs to my friend for Christmas, and also a book on Sicilian history. The shows make one want to visit that beautiful country! The actors are terrific, and peform so well, that one almost does not need the subtitles…
Dear Margareth
do you really catch the meaning without subtitles? complimenti
In effect some expressions lose power and effect if traslated…some Sicilian expression are very funny to me as well, Pure Sicilian!
The places in the fiction are excatly as you see them on Tv ..meravigliosi….
You’re welcome here in Sicily.
Un caro saluto,
Lucia
My Mother and Father come from Mellili Sicily. I understand about half of the Italian, especially when they get mad (not really) and talk 100 MPH. It is great. I have been to Scilia many times, I love the land and the people. When there, I Belong. Ciao
By accident I came across Young Montalbano No 2 , showing this evening [Dec15] across Australia.
What changed older Salvo into the world weary , but respected, character we love…and his hair to fall out ? Too much exposure to the unpleasant side of life?
Then there is his lack of promotion. Perhaps because of clashes with his superiors?
And I can’t recall older Salvo referring to Montalbano Estate wines.
So much promise…..but we wouldn’t have it any other way.
As a HUGE Montalbano fan, my cousins showed me on RAITV on the Internet that the shows were available at around 10:00 p.m. USA time after they first aired the same day in Italy. I stayed up each night to watch the Young Montalbano. What a smile he has!
Then, when browsing through Amazon, I see the DVD’s are already available for episodes 1-3 and 4-6. I bought them that exact moment when I saw them!
http://www.amazon.com/The-Young-Montalbano-Episodes-1-3/dp/B009ERK1AE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1355917575&sr=8-1&keywords=young+montalbano
The Dance of the Seagull is coming out in English in Februrary 2013 and I also had my cousins send me the Italian book Una Voce di Notte, which was published in October.
I never watched the Inspector Montalbano series but I am hooked on the Young Montalbano and now it’s not on. So, it has lead me to watching a lot of the other international detective series. Very interesting, very good writing and in most cases, a lot more believeable than the American detective series. I have been to Italy, though not Sicily, so I’m enjoying the scenery and remembering how much I enjoyed the visit.
I am thrilled to hear that a new season of Montalbano has been filmed. Now, when will we see it in the U.S.? I somehow discovered the series last year (summer 2012) on MHZ networks and I am hooked. I have seen all of the episodes and need to see MORE! I simply love this show. I don’t mind seeing them twice since you miss a lot while you are reading subtitles. Thank you for the great news.
Do you know if more episodes of Young Montalbano are planned?
Please please bring back another series of Inspector Montalbano. Saturday evenings are not the same anymore since the last series finished. Other programs shown in its place are not a patch on Montalbano!
Are there any more Inspector Montalbano episodes being made for 2015/2016? I am suffering serious withdrawal! It is easily my favorite show, especially the Luca Zingaretti version.
Wow! So many Montalbano fans out there! I’ve seen most of the Zingaretti episodes and liked them. Now I’m hooked on the Young one, and I’m a gran!
I guess age is irrelevant when it comes to discerning tastes?
Michele gets stuck into the older Monty with apparent ease.
His crowning glory disappeared on account of the stress caused by Mafia
doings. That’s my view and I’m sticking to it.
Ciao!
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