Ulrich Tukur stars as the enigmatic Wiesbaden detective Felix Murot in the innovative crime series “Tatort,” debuting in 2010. As Murot embarks on his 13th case, “Murot und das 1000-jährige Reich,” set in 1944, he also embodies Nazi investigator Friedrich Rother. Known for its imaginative storytelling, the series notably includes “Im Schmerz geboren,” which holds the record for most deaths, and engages with diverse genres and themes, making each episode a unique cinematic experience.
Ulrich Tukur, aged 67, has portrayed the enigmatic Wiesbaden police detective Felix Murot since 2010. The latest episode, ‘Tatort: Murot und das 1000-jährige Reich’, is set to air on October 20 at 20:15 on das Erste. This installment promises to be unconventional, unfolding in 1944, where Tukur will also play the role of Nazi investigator Friedrich Rother. Each Murot crime scene offers a fresh narrative experience.
The Murot episodes stand out as some of the most creative and eclectic entries in the Sunday crime drama lineup. This was particularly evident in the fourth episode, ‘Tatort: Im Schmerz geboren’, which holds the record for the highest number of deaths in a ‘Tatort’ episode—47 fatalities—and has garnered numerous accolades, including the Golden Camera and Grimme Prize. It’s been a decade since this iconic film graced our screens, making it the perfect opportunity to revisit all of the Murot cases.
The Tumor Conversations
Ulrich Tukur’s journey as Felix Murot began with ‘Tatort: Wie einst Lilly’ in 2010. This inaugural episode tackled a somber chapter in German history: the investigation of RAF crimes, leading back to a terrorist incident in the 1980s, which Murot, as a young BKA officer, was compelled to examine. Right from the start, it was clear that Murot was unlike any other detective; he grapples with a brain tumor he affectionately names Lilly, conversing, laughing, and even singing with it. This surreal dynamic laid the groundwork for the distinctive narratives that followed in the series.
In 2011, Murot returned in ‘Tatort: Das Dorf’, an episode that pushed the boundaries even further with its unconventional narrative style. Here, Murot, still under the influence of hallucinations, investigates illegal organ trade in a small Taunus village, oscillating between reality and delusion, ultimately confronting his own brain in a metaphorically gruesome tableau.
‘Tatort: Schwindelfrei’ in 2013 felt more subdued compared to its predecessors. Murot, liberated from Lilly, delves into a missing person’s case at a circus—a picturesque setting that ultimately lacked the emotional depth that fans had come to expect.
Record-Breaking Episode: ‘Born in Pain’
However, fans were quickly rewarded with ‘Tatort: Im Schmerz geboren’ in 2014, widely regarded as the pinnacle of the Wiesbaden ‘Tatort’ series. This film blends elements of westerns, romantic dramas, and Quentin Tarantino-style storytelling, infused with Shakespearean references. Murot finds himself embroiled in an old friend’s vendetta, leading to a staggering 47 deaths—a record for the franchise and an instant cult classic.
With ‘Tatort: Wer bin ich?’ in 2015, expectations soared once more. This episode broke traditional ‘Tatort’ molds, featuring Tukur playing himself in a film-within-a-film scenario, caught up in a murder investigation that bleeds into his real life. The narrative was not just entertaining but pioneering within the ‘Tatort’ universe.
‘Tatort: Es lebe der Tod’ in 2016 took a darker turn, presenting Murot’s cat-and-mouse game with a serial killer during intense interrogation sessions, a prime example of the psychological depth the series is known for.
Homages to Film Classics
‘Tatort: Murot und das Murmeltier’ (2019) embraced the theme of time loops, resembling the iconic film ‘Groundhog Day,’ where Murot relives the same day while managing a hostage crisis.
In ‘Tatort: Angriff auf Wache 08’, various cinematic references abound, particularly to the 1976 thriller ‘Assault,’ creating an intense narrative as Murot and others face a sniper attack during prisoner transport.
More cinematic tributes surface in ‘Tatort: Die Ferien des Monsieur Murot’ (2020), reminiscent of ‘The Holidays of Monsieur Hulot’ while weaving elements from Erich Kästner’s ‘Das doppelte Lottchen’ and Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Prestige’, wherein Murot exchanges lives with a doppelganger and must solve a murder plot that threatens his own existence.
Moments of Uncommon Calm
‘Tatort: Murot und das Prinzip Hoffnung’ (2021) offered a different tone, focusing on flashbacks to Murot’s past as he investigates a series of murders intricately linked to his history.