The Kingdom - Series One and Two

The Kingdom: Series One and Two includes both volumes of Lars von Trier’s acclaimed supernatural thriller.

The Kingdom is Denmark’s most technologically advanced hospital, but inside its mazelike corridors, bizarre and otherworldly events are occurring. Evil has taken up residence, and now it won’t let go.

Addictive, complex plot - eerily funny independent horror

For any Twin Peaks fans out there - order this masterpiece right away. Has the same exact qualities as the David Lynch classic:

-Complex, addictive storyline
-Directed by one of the maverick masters of independent cinema
-Darkly funny and, when it comes down to it, not really scary most of the time
-Trademark cinematography - grainy and sepia Handycam effects
-Incomplete - this ends after 2 of what should have been 3 or 4 series

The last point sounds off-putting, but I haven't met anyone who hasn't thoroughly enjoyed this. When this was filmed, Lars von Trier was famous only in his native Denmark. The camerawork is a lot more easily digestible than in some of his later works, and his typical broodiness is balanced by dark Scandinavian humour - totally addictive. December 16, 2008

Two thirds of a trilogy

This set contains the first two seasons of "The Kingdom". Lars Von Triers made "The Kingdom" with the intention that it would be a trilogy of mini-series, but unfortunately, after the second season, both Ernst-Hugo Jaregard (Dr. Helmer) and Kirsten Rolffes (Mrs. Drusse), that is, the two main actors, died, putting a stop to Season Three (and to be perfectly honest, I wouldn't like to see a season without these actors). As a result of this, few of the story lines introduced in Season 1 are resolved in Season 2, and the ending comprises a number of cliff-hangers that Von Triers, presumably, intended to resolve in Season 3. Having said that, "The Kingdom" is an excellent series, and is one of the best TV series that I have ever seen.

"The Kingdom" is set in Denmark's top hospital, which is run by a group of arrogant doctors, who operate a secret society from the hospital's basement, and is haunted by an assortment of ghosts. Season one of "The Kingdom", which was later remade for American television as "Kingdom Hospital", centres around Mrs. Drusse (a Miss Marple-like old lady) and her quest to put to rest the ghost of a young girl who died at The Kingdom many years earlier. Sub-plots include Prof. Bondo's quest to obtain a rare sarcoma; a bizarre pregnancy; and Dr. Helmer's (possibly the most arrogant doctor to ever appear on television) attempts to avoid a malpractice lawsuit.

Season 2 starts off immediately following the end of Season 1. Highlights of this series include Dr. Hook turning into a patient-hating psychopath after a rather unpleasant incident (I found Hook to be smug and self-righteous in Season 1, so really enjoyed this change of character); the revelation of Aage Kruger's true nature; ambulance racing; and a greater presence of Bulder (a hospital orderly) and Mogge (a medical student). There is also a greater focus on the occult in this season, and I found this season to be both sillier and scarier than the previous season.

In my opinion Season 1 is the better of the two seasons, I found the first two episodes of Season 2 to be a bit tedious (I didn't like the sub-plot about Prof. Moesgaard seeking psychiatric help or the one about Judith and her baby, at all). However, the final two episodes more than make up for them, and by the end, I really did want to see more.

Fans of series such as "Twin Peaks" and "Kingdom Hospital" will definitely enjoy "The Kingdom", but don't go in expecting a satisfactory conclusion or you'll be disappointed.
April 6, 2008

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