In the age of endless streaming options at your disposal and more being offered up every week, you will always hear about someone’s favorite show that you need to be watching. Even the most dedicated among us have our blindspots, so we cast no judgement when you say that you have not watched The Wire or if you have not experienced the little slice of heaven that is Friday Night Lights. With that being said, we cannot just stand by and not tell you that Babylon Berlin is one of the most all-around excellent shows on television that you may have not even heard of prior to this moment. This German series was created, written and directed by Tom Tykwer (Run Lola Run), Achim von Borries and Hendrik Handloegten, based on novels by author Volker Kutscher. This stylish neo-noir explores the political and criminal machinations of 1929 Berlin and the stirring of communist and fascist factions across Europe. Although this may sound a bit dour, this could not be further from the truth. The sixteen episodes that comprise these first two seasons are some of the most thrilling, engrossing and fun pieces of entertainment that have hit the small screen in some time.
The larger political developments of Berlin are given weight through various expertly crafted human storylines that are woven throughout the season. The core duo of the show is an unlikely pairing of individuals who each struggle with complicated personal lives. Gereon Rath (Volker Bruch) is a detective from Cologne who has come to Berlin as the newest member of the Vice Squad. Gereon is in town with his own secret agenda, but he finds himself more and immersed into the rapidly changing power structure of this city still suffering from the ramifications of World War I. It is not just the city that is trying to recover from the war; Gereon self medicates himself into a stupor with morphine to combat his PTSD along with the occasional stab at psychotherapy. He is a haunted man, but he soon finds a ray of light in this dark world in the form of Charlotte (Liv Lisa Fries), an ambitious young flapper who wants more for herself than the poverty-stricken life that plagues her family. Charlotte has big dreams of becoming the first female inspector, and watching her career journey is one of the most rewarding aspects of the series.
The rise of the far-right radicals is a development that mostly simmers in the background for much of these first two seasons while a myriad of other threads and crimes are investigated. Chief among these is a train car filled with Russian gold which serves as the intersection of no fewer than four storylines, each with their own fascinating nuances. The first episode can be a bit of information overload as you try to get a handle on who exactly these various characters are and their motivations, but it all starts to really click into place by the end of the second episode. It is the climax of this episode that convinced me that this was a show for me. The show takes a moment to spotlight a cabaret performance which feels like a mini-musical moment with joyous dancing, juxtaposed quite nicely with a vicious hit being carried out across town. This dance solidifies certain character dynamics while simultaneously pulling off a major plot development in the overall story. Plus, it’s a hell of a lot of fun. Babylon Berlin is a show that is perfectly paced, and in the end you will understand that no moment included is expendable. This series rewards those who get caught up in the storytelling.
Every episode of the series reveals new layers to the story and recontextualizes events that have occurred previously in a way that is deliciously satisfying . This is the type of show where you will be scrambling to play the next episode until you are all caught up. Each episode builds on the previous one with puzzles pieces constantly being put together until you reach a very rewarding conclusion. This is reportedly the most expensive German show to ever be made, and every cent of it shows up on screen. Every element from the intricate production design to the perfectly crafted outfits is simply flawless. And it is all captured by some of the most cinematic camerawork that you have seen this side of a Scorsese movie. None of this would mean a thing, though, if you did not have performers that could handle the material, and not a single person is miscast. Each character brings something exciting to the series, which makes it all the more crushing when the story necessitates the early exit for some of them. Babylon Berlin is one of the best television surprises that has crept up on me in some time. Few shows in recent memory, no matter the country of origin, have been so expertly written, crafted and executed in such an immaculate manner.
Video Quality
Babylon Berlin: Seasons 1 & 2 comes to Blu-Ray in a gorgeous 1080p transfer. With this being a brand new series, it stands to reason that the presentation should be without flaws, but that does not make the end result any less impressive. The cinematography is truly top notch for this series with many stunning locales. The color palette is natural and vivid with brilliant moments of stunning hues that pop off the screen. The series looks great on Netflix, but the Blu-Ray presentation has more consistent black levels and less compression by a mile. Fine detail is present in the production design and ornate costumes. The vegetation of the countryside also gives the disc a chance to shine in the detail department. Skin tones look natural throughout the season, and there are no digital anomalies to speak of. Kino Lorber has done an excellent job with this presentation.
Audio Quality
The Blu-Ray set comes with a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track that is quite lively. The set is presented in the original German with optional English subtitles. The series is primarily dialogue driven, but there are also fairly frequent action-packed sequences such as shootouts or a foot pursuit that kick this track into overdrive. There is some nice ambient activity in the rear channels, especially during crowded sequences at the club or during public speeches. The dialogue primarily stays in front center channels and is reproduced clearly. The track does a good job of making sure neither sound effects nor the score ever overpowers dialogue. The score from Tom Twyker and Johnny Klimek brings a richness to the series that fills up the room on this track. When the action kicks in, there is some heft to the low end that is appreciated in a series such as this one. This track has a substantial dynamic range that should please fans of the series.
Special Features
- Making-Of Documentary: A pretty wonderful 46-minute documentary in which the cast and crew explore the development of the show, creating a bustling Berlin, casting the best performers for the show, filming the elaborate set pieces, the music of the show and much more. This is a very cool supplement for fans of the show.
- Behind-The-Scenes Footage: Nearly two-minute of candid footage from the production of the series is provided here.
- Trailers: There are trailers provided for Seasons 1&2 and Season 3.
Final Thoughts
The first two seasons of Babylon Berlin offer some of the most thrilling moments on television that I have seen in recent times. These sixteen episodes come together to create a sprawling, breathlessly engaging narrative that only rewards more the deeper you get into it. Kino Lorber has released a Blu-Ray set that offers an A+ technical presentation and a few fun special features. Do not let subtitles scare you away, this will be one of the best shows you watch all year. Highly Recommended
Babylon Berlin: Seasons 1 & 2 is currently available to purchase on Blu-Ray and DVD..
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Kino Lorber has supplied a copy of this set free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.
