Detective Montalbano

Watch Detective Montalbano

  • TV-14
  • 1999
  • 1 Season
  • 8.3  (4,505)

Detective Montalbano is an Italian crime drama series based on the novels by Andrea Camilleri. Produced by RAI, the show was first broadcast in 1999 and has since become one of Italy's most successful and critically acclaimed TV series. The show centers around the character of Inspector Salvo Montalbano, a detective in the Sicilian city of Vigata. He is a middle-aged man with a sharp tongue and a strong sense of morality, who is often frustrated by the bureaucracy and corruption of the Italian police.

Montalbano is played by the actor Luca Zingaretti, who has been praised for his portrayal of the character's complexity and depth. He is supported by a strong cast of regulars, including his deputy Mimi Augello (played by Cesare Bocci) and police officer Fazio (played by Peppino Mazzotta).

Each episode of the show follows Montalbano as he investigates a different crime in Vigata. The crimes are usually complex and often involve multiple suspects and motives, but Montalbano always manages to solve them in the end.

The show is known for its slow-paced, character-driven approach to storytelling, and for its evocative portrayal of the Sicilian landscape and culture. The series is shot on location in Sicily, which gives it an authentic and immersive feel.

One of the key themes of the show is the tension between the Sicilian way of life and the demands of modern policing. Montalbano is often torn between his loyalty to his home and his duty as a police officer, and must navigate the complex web of relationships and power dynamics that underpin Sicilian society.

Another important aspect of the show is Montalbano's love of food, which is often depicted in loving detail. Montalbano is a gourmand who enjoys cooking and eating the traditional dishes of his native region, and many of the episodes revolve around his culinary adventures.

The show has been widely praised for its authenticity and attention to detail, and for its nuanced portrayal of contemporary Italian society. It has also been lauded for its strong performances, particularly by Zingaretti, who has become one of Italy's most beloved actors.

Despite its popularity in Italy, the show has been less well-known in other countries until recently. However, with the rise of streaming services and the growing international interest in European crime dramas, Detective Montalbano has begun to gain a wider audience.

One of the reasons for the show's success is its ability to combine the conventions of the crime genre with a strong sense of social and cultural commentary. The crimes that Montalbano investigates are never simply puzzles to be solved, but are always embedded in a larger web of social and political issues.

For example, one episode of the show deals with the issue of illegal immigration, while another explores the legacy of Italy's fascist past. Montalbano is always acutely aware of the historical and cultural context of the crimes he investigates, and this gives the show a depth and complexity that is rare in the crime genre.

Overall, Detective Montalbano is a rich and rewarding TV series that combines thrilling crime-solving with incisive social commentary and a vivid sense of place. With its strong performances, authentic setting, and emotionally resonant storytelling, it is a must-watch for anyone interested in the best of contemporary Italian television.

Detective Montalbano is a series that ran for 1 seasons (37 episodes) between May 6, 1999 and on MHz Networks

Detective Montalbano
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Seasons
The Catalanotti Method
37. The Catalanotti Method
March 8, 2021
A midnight dalliance causes Mimi to stumble into one of Vigata's strangest homicide cases ever. Salvo and the new head of forensics investigate what's behind the disappearing corpse. Directed by Luca Zingaretti, 2020.
The Safety Net
36. The Safety Net
February 18, 2020
Montalbano tries to figure out the story behind some odd home movies, while a break-in at an elementary school reveals the darker side of social media. Directed by Luca Zingaretti, 2019.
Dear Livia
35. Dear Livia
February 11, 2020
A gifted young researcher suffers a brutal death in a municipal archive but the leads don't add up: Montalbano discovers a complicated personal life but finds no enemies. Directed by Luca Zingaretti, 2019.
A Diary from 1943
34. A Diary from 1943
February 18, 2019
A long-hidden diary opens a window into tragic events related to World War II. Directed by Alberto Sironi, 2019.
BONUS: True Sicilians
33. BONUS: True Sicilians
March 7, 2016
Detective Montalbano Bonus Feature
BONUS: From Page to Screen
32. BONUS: From Page to Screen
March 7, 2016
Detective Montalbano Bonus Feature
BONUS: A Conversation with Luca Zingaretti
31. BONUS: A Conversation with Luca Zingaretti
March 7, 2016
Detective Montalbano Bonus Feature
BONUS: Making Montalbano
30. BONUS: Making Montalbano
March 7, 2016
Detective Montalbano Bonus Feature
Montalbano and Me: Andrea Camilleri
29. Montalbano and Me: Andrea Camilleri
March 7, 2016
Actress Teresa Mannino interviews Andrea Camilleri, author of the Detective Montalbano books, about his life, writing and the irascible detective who captured the hearts of readers and viewers around the world. Directed by Claudio Canepari and Paolo Santolini, 2014.
The Mud Pyramid
28. The Mud Pyramid
March 7, 2016
In the course of a murder investigation, Montalbano discovers a ring of corruption between construction companies and the Mafia.
A Delicate Matter
27. A Delicate Matter
February 29, 2016
Montalbano investigates the murder of a well-loved 70-year-old prostitute, along with an accusation of molestation at an elementary school.
A Ray of Light (English subtitled)
26. A Ray of Light (English subtitled)
May 6, 2013
In Italian with English subtitles. Detective Mimi Augello has no problem obliging when Montalbano asks him to be an undercover lothario in the investigation into a female assault victim's alibi. Montalbano' got bigger problems: a farmer has reported trespassing in an abandoned shed and there' evidence to support the presence of an arms trafficking ring.
A Voice in the Night (English subtitled)
25. A Voice in the Night (English subtitled)
April 29, 2013
In Italian with English subtitles. When a theft occurs at a supermarket controlled by the Mafia family, Detective Montalbano finds himself trying to trap the guilty with unconventional methods. His rationale: when one' adversaries aren't following the rules, you're authorized to break them yourself.
Mirror Game (English subtitled)
24. Mirror Game (English subtitled)
April 22, 2013
In Italian with English subtitles. When a neighbor' car breaks down, Montalbano offers to drive her to work in the mornings. Their friendship heats up, although she appears to have a secret agenda. Next, a few explosions happen in Vigata, plus a couple of murders: it all points to the fact that Montalbano really doesn't have a handle on what' going on.
Angelica's Smile (English subtitled)
23. Angelica's Smile (English subtitled)
April 15, 2013
In Italian with English subtitles. In his investigation of a series of break-ins among Vigata' elite, Montalbano falls in love with Angelica, one of the victims. As he looks into the crimes, he begins to realize that the robberies are only a cover for something completely different and far more tragic.
The Age of Doubt (English subtitled)
22. The Age of Doubt (English subtitled)
April 4, 2011
In Italian with English subtitles. Nothing is as it seems in Inspector Montalbano' investigation of a corpse found at sea. When a young girl arrives from Palermo claiming to meet her aunt, who' pulling into Vigata harbor in a yacht, he discovers a connection between the corpse, the yacht, and a motorboat.
The Treasure Hunt (English subtitled)
21. The Treasure Hunt (English subtitled)
March 28, 2011
In Italian with English subtitles. A hyper-religious elderly couple barricade themselves in their home and begin shooting from their balcony for no apparent reason. When a camera crew videotapes Montalbano and his men entering the home, they become overnight heroes. The publicity brings out the kooks, however, and a disturbed maniac begins a macabre treasure hunt with Montalbano.
The Dance of the Seagull (English subtitled)
20. The Dance of the Seagull (English subtitled)
March 21, 2011
In Italian with English subtitles. Montalbano' worst nightmare begins when the father of trusted deputy Fazio reports his son missing. Convinced that he' off on an investigation of his own, which may have gone bad, Montalbano comes across ominous signs of a shootout.
The Potter's Field (English subtitled)
19. The Potter's Field (English subtitled)
March 14, 2011
In Italian with English subtitles. When a body is found cut into pieces and wrapped in a plastic bag, all signs point to an old-fashioned Mafia-style execution. The case becomes especially complicated for Montalbano when his friend Mimi starts behaving erratically and insists on handling the investigation himself.
August Heat (English subtitled)
18. August Heat (English subtitled)
November 2, 2008
In Italian with English subtitles. The August heat of Vigata is driving everyone crazy and may be part of the reason for Montalbano losing his personal and professional bearings during a murder investigation. He gets help from the beautiful twin of the victim, but unwittingly falls prey to her lust for vengeance.
The Wings of the Sphinx (English subtitled)
17. The Wings of the Sphinx (English subtitled)
November 3, 2008
In Italian with English subtitles. Montalbano investigates a local church organization in connection with the murder of a young Eastern European immigrant. He's also trying to work things out with Livia, but has better luck unraveling the mystery of the butterfly tattoo on the shoulder of the unfortunate victim.
Track of Sand (English subtitled)
16. Track of Sand (English subtitled)
November 10, 2008
In Italian with English subtitles. After a badly injured horse dies on the beach outside his house, Montalbano's investigation brings him into a world of elegant races, beautiful horsewomen, and a secret Mafia-run underground betting ring. He' solving a crime, but Livia might not be too happy if she saw him dining al fresco with a new friend.
Paper Moon (English subtitled)
15. Paper Moon (English subtitled)
November 17, 2008
In Italian with English subtitles. A well-to-do womanizer is killed in what appears to be a crime of passion. At the same time, a number of politicians drop dead under mysterious circumstances. To solve it all, Montalbano faces the toughest challenge of his career - understanding the female psyche.
Find the Lady (English subtitled)
14. Find the Lady (English subtitled)
March 13, 2006
In Italian with English subtitles. The apparent murder of a local construction magnate gets Montalbano thinking about the decades-old murder of the man' one-time top competitor. Although a person went to prison for that crime, justice may not have been served. Montalbano finds that the key to one crime may lie in rethinking the other.
The Spider's Patience (English subtitled)
13. The Spider's Patience (English subtitled)
March 7, 2006
In Italian with English subtitles. A young girl is kidnapped, but her once-prominent family doesn't have the money for the ransom. Her heartbroken fianc©e steps up to help the investigation, but as Montalbano digs deeper he wonders how the family ended up broke and if the girl is really in danger at all.
Equal Time (English subtitled)
12. Equal Time (English subtitled)
September 29, 2005
In Italian with English subtitles. A man with 'connections' is found dead in a quarry, shot Mafia-style. When the bodies begin to pile up, it appears to be the beginning of a Mafia war. Montalbano doesn't think so, nor does he buy the idea that the murders were committed by a suspect with serious psychological disturbances.
Turning Point (English subtitled)
11. Turning Point (English subtitled)
September 22, 2005
In Italian with English subtitles. Montalbano encounters a floating corpse during one of his early morning swims. While consulting a fisherman friend about it, he sees a group of illegal immigrants being escorted ashore. What he can't understand is why the little boy in the group flees from his own mother.
The Goldfinch and the Cat (English subtitled)
10. The Goldfinch and the Cat (English subtitled)
November 18, 2002
In Italian with English subtitles. A series of drive-by muggings of little old ladies escalates to a murder. A pregnant girl's father destroys an emergency room in a blind rage and a local gynecologist turns up missing. The testimony of a no-nonsense nurse and a feisty housewife helps Montalbano put it all together.
The Scent of the Night (English subtitled)
9. The Scent of the Night (English subtitled)
November 11, 2002
In Italian with English subtitles. A financial wizard disappears with money entrusted to him by the people of Montelusa. When his car is found with the corpse of an employee inside, authorities are ready to call it a Mafia killing. The remaining employees offer to help the investigation, but Montalbano wonders if any of them can be trusted.
Montalbano's Croquettes (English subtitled)
8. Montalbano's Croquettes (English subtitled)
November 4, 2002
In Italian with English subtitles. A wealthy executive and his wife crash off a cliff and a local burglary gets blamed on some Albanians. Montalbano wonders if the crash wasn't an accident and the thief might have been Sicilian. He visits an ancient Mafia don and learns the secrets that haunted the ill-fated couple.
The Sense of Touch (English subtitled)
7. The Sense of Touch (English subtitled)
October 28, 2002
In Italian with English subtitles. The deaths of a blind man and a local fisherman seem unrelated until Montalbano discovers each had large sums of money in their bank accounts. When another blind man dies, the investigation focuses on an organization that may not exactly deserve the title "charitable".
A Trip to Tindari (English subtitled)
6. A Trip to Tindari (English subtitled)
May 9, 2001
In Italian with English subtitles. An elderly couple vanishes during a scenic bus trip and a computer expert is found dead. Montalbano thinks the two cases are related, but he has to interview a busload of Sicilian senior citizens to get to the bottom of it.
The Artist's Touch (English subtitled)
5. The Artist's Touch (English subtitled)
May 30, 2001
In Italian with English subtitles. It appears the goldsmith rigged his own wheelchair into a suicidal electric chair. Questions arise when it's revealed that his will, which promised everything to his brother, is a forged document. Two brothers' love for the same woman and revenge are just the beginning of this puzzle for Detective Montalbano.
The Mystery of the Terracotta Dog (English subtitled)
4. The Mystery of the Terracotta Dog (English subtitled)
May 9, 2000
In Italian with English subtitles. With a Mafia kingpin who wants to talk, a menacing hit man, and a secret cavern, Detective Montalbano's got his hands full. They all point to what may or may not be a half-century old crime.
The Shape of Water(English subtitled)
3. The Shape of Water(English subtitled)
May 2, 2000
In Italian with English subtitles. When a prominent citizen is found dead in an embarrassing position in his car, the coroner rules heart attack, but Montalbano isn't buying it. And he doesn't buy the very circumstantial case built up against the Swedish daughter in-law of the local MP, either.
The Voice of the Violin (English subtitled)
2. The Voice of the Violin (English subtitled)
May 13, 1999
In Italian with English subtitles. Dozing off en route to a funeral, Montalbano is awakened when his driver crashes next to a seemingly abandoned villa. Nosing around, he finds a corpse and uncovers the secret lives of many people in Vigata. What does it all have to do with a stolen violin?
The Snack Thief (English subtitled)
1. The Snack Thief (English subtitled)
May 6, 1999
In Italian with English subtitles. An elderly import-export merchant is found murdered and a young woman who may have been mixed up with him disappears the same day. Suspecting terrorist involvement, Montalbano has to connect the dots, quick. That and find out who' been stealing some schoolkids' lunches.
Description
Where to Watch Detective Montalbano
Detective Montalbano is available for streaming on the MHz Networks website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Detective Montalbano on demand at Apple TV Channels, Amazon Prime, Amazon and Hoopla.
  • Premiere Date
    May 6, 1999
  • IMDB Rating
    8.3  (4,505)