Hautnah - Die Methode Hill Staffel 6 - DVD

Content: After six seasons it is time to say goodbye to Dr. Tony Hill and the great series Hautnah - Die Methode Hill. Due to the high production costs of about 750,000 pounds per episode, the British broadcaster ITV stopped the production in 2008, despite continued success. The films around the brilliant psychologist Dr. Tony Hill, which were based on the books of bestselling author Val McDermid, always offered exciting, but also humorous entertainment, which still worked very well thanks to the great leading actor Robson Green, even in the rather weaker stories.

While the makers have served all fans with the last episode a decent conclusion, but it is still a pity that there will be no reunion with Dr. Hill - especially since his relationship with the DI Alex Fielding (Simone Lahbib), who joined the team in the fourth season, just seemed to pick up speed in the last episodes. But it's just not meant to be - and so now fans have one last chance to join Hill, Fielding and their colleagues on a thrilling manhunt:

DVD 1: AT THE BOTTOM OF LUST

The very first case in this final box set packs a punch: after the body of a young Kurdish woman is found, the investigators come across unsolved cases that could be attributed to the same perpetrator. The investigation leads DI Alex Fielding into the S&M scene, with her new colleague Chris Collins also being targeted.

Dr Hill, who once again provides Fielding with advice and support during the investigation, also has to deal with his paranoid neighbour on the side, who has actually managed to get a restraining order against Tony so that he is no longer allowed to go home. But a Tony Hill does not give up so easily.

At the precipice of lust perfectly understands to loosen up the rather heavy, gloomy moments with amusing scenes around Hill's paranoid neighbor. A very exciting episode, but far from the climax of the final season.

DVD 2: DEADLY EXPERIMENTS

While DI Alex Fielding has to deal with a mysterious series of murders of prostitutes, Dr. Hill is suspected of murder himself at a conference for experimental psychologists and even ends up in prison. Hill, of all people, is alleged to have killed an old girlfriend he met again at the convention. But when she doesn't remain the only victim, Hill does everything he can to find the killer and thus prove his innocence. And soon he suspects it's the same culprit Fielding is hunting.

The fact that Tony Hill won't let even a prison cell stop him makes this episode extremely entertaining once again. The first half in particular is extremely suspenseful and extremely well acted.

DVD 3: CREATIONS OF DEATH

The serial killer and cannibal Michael, who thanks to Dr. Hill in a locked psychiatric ward, suddenly seems to have found God. An act, Hill believes. Rightly so, as Michael manages to escape with a macabre deception. And it seems he has already chosen his next victim: Dr Hill!

At the same time, DI Fielding is desperately searching for the killer of several young men. The investigation leads her to a convicted fight club fanatic who has obviously abused the men for his perverted predilections. But then Alex Fielding does not yet suspect that the real truth is much more gruesome.

Screatures of Death is truly tough stuff and therefore rightly released only from 18 years. The scenes involving serial killer Michael are of extreme intensity and the resolution of the actual murder case is disturbing and extremely grim. A great episode that leaves a strong chill.

DVD 4: IN THE REALM OF THE LOST

In its final episode, Dr. Hill gets to deal with a new supervisor while investigating a gruesome series of murders of homeless people, as Alex has to hand over the investigation to her colleague Hall due to a death, who even manages to win over Dr. Hill with his determined leadership style. At the same time, Dr. Hill has to deal with an investigation committee that is supposed to find out whether Hill is partly responsible for the escape of the serial killer Michael. Although his complete innocence can be proven, the case is far from closed for Hill. For anonymous letters, macabre gifts and the murder of the female officer who was used as a scapegoat for Michael's escape make it clear to the psychologist that he will see Michael again very soon.

The finale of Hautnah - Die Methode Hill has very good moments, is excitingly staged and offers a rounded conclusion. And yet, it leaves you with a somewhat unsatisfying feeling, as the last ten minutes in particular feel a bit rushed and some plot elements, such as the developing relationship between Hill and Fielding, aren't quite brought to a close. All in all, however, the last four cases of Dr. Tony Hill once again offer crime fiction entertainment at a very high level. An absolute must for all lovers of cultivated thrills and British crime entertainment!

Picture + Sound: The overall very clean picture has a good overall sharpness in most moments, which only leaves a little to be desired in some darker scenes. In episode 3 of the sixth season, some scenes look extremely washed out, but this can definitely be seen as a deliberately used stylistic device, as this can only be detected in the extremely bright scenes between Dr. Hill and Michael. The bottom line is that the sixth season again offers a picture quality on a good TV level.

The same applies to the sound, which has only here and there some atmospheric ambient sounds and minor sound effects to offer, but is otherwise dominated by the directionally mixed dialogue. In the German version, these seem a bit more powerful, but in return also lacks a bit of the atmosphere created by the ambient sounds that are more clearly audible in the English soundtrack. Good!

Extras: Unfortunately, there is also no bonus material for the farewell.

Conclusion: Hautnah - Die Methode Hill comes to an end with four exciting new cases. Despite consistently high quality and good ratings, the series has become a victim of the austerity policy of the British broadcaster ITV in 2008. With four exciting and again very good episodes Dr. Hill says goodbye to his fans, which makes this box again for an absolute must - even if there is again no bonus material and the technical implementation is not beyond good TV level. Recommendable!

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp