15 Russian detective series for which you are not ashamed

Classic film adaptations of books by the Weiner brothers and Yulian Semyonov, as well as a couple of modern projects.

A selection of Soviet and Russian detective films has already been published on TricksHelper. However, it included only full-length works from a maximum of two series. In this list you will find television films and series lasting three episodes or more.

15. Charlotte's Necklace

• USSR, 1984
• Detective, crime.
• Duration: 3 episodes.
• IMDb: 6 ,3.

KGB Colonel Seryogin and his assistant Lieutenant Pavlov are investigating the murder of a speculator and currency dealer. It turns out that he was connected with a secret group exporting rare objects of art abroad.

Director Evgeny Tatarsky at the time of the release of this film had already become famous thanks to the works “The Golden Mine” and “The Suicide Club, or The Adventures of a Titled Person” . This time he took as a basis a short story by Anatoly Romov “Customs Inspection”. The film adaptation departs from the plot of the original, but makes the story even more exciting.

14. Vertical racing

• USSR, 1982.
• Detective, crime, adventure.
• Duration: 3 episodes.
• IMDb: 6.6.

Still from the series “Vertical Racing”

MUR employees led by inspector Tikhonov arrest a repeat offender nicknamed Baton. Due to lack of evidence, he is released, and the villain continues his criminal activities. But Tikhonov had already firmly decided to catch Baton.

One of the many film adaptations of the works of the Weiner brothers shows a very tense story of the confrontation between two charismatic heroes. The performers of the main roles have a lot of merit in this: Tikhonov was played by Andrei Myagkov, and Baton was played by Valentin Gaft.

13. Entrance to the labyrinth

• USSR, 1989.
• Detective, crime.
• Duration: 5 episodes.
• IMDb: 6.9.

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Investigator Muromtsev is investigating the activities of criminals who, under the guise of police officers, come to the apartments of suspects and rob them. Suddenly he learns about a strange drug, metaproptisol, which is called a “drug against fear.”

Another film adaptation of the Weiner book. Moreover, in 1978, the film “The Cure for Fear” was already released based on the same novel. But many consider the second version to be more successful.

12. And it's all about him

• USSR, 1977
• Detective, drama.
• Duration: 6 episodes.
• IMDb: 7.1.

Young worker Evgeniy Stoletov dies while logging in Siberia. It looks like he just fell off a moving train platform. But investigator Prokhorov understands the circumstances of the incident and understands that dark things were going on in the settlement.

Many remember Evgeny Leonov exclusively from comedic roles. But here he played the attentive and intelligent police captain Prokhorov. And the plot of the film interestingly combines the personal story of the deceased and the story of the dishonest management of the enterprise.

11. Profession – investigator

• USSR, 1982
• Detective, crime.
• Duration: 5 episodes.
• IMDb: 7.2.

< /p>Still from the series “Profession – Investigator”

The police discover a suitcase with a large sum of money on a pensioner at the Belorussky railway station. Trying to find their source, investigators find a serious gang.

The film, directed by Alexander Blank, is based on real events that occurred in the late seventies. Then a group of criminals organized a fake procurement base and allegedly sent 100 tons of red pepper to buyers. In fact, the trucks were traveling empty, but real money was paid for non-existent cargo.

10. Sunday, half past seven

• USSR, 1988.
• Detective, crime.
• Duration: 4 episodes.
• IMDb : 7.2.

A young lawyer, Sergei Krasheninnikov, is investigating the death of a girl in a remote area of ​​Moscow. The case seems as simple as possible: you just need to establish the identity of the deceased. But soon the hero realizes that all the witnesses are not telling something.

This is the third and perhaps the most successful film in which Vasily Funtikov plays Krasheninnikov. In the first films – “Krosh's Vacation” and “The Unknown Soldier” – the hero was still a schoolboy and student, but now he has grown to become a prosecutor's office trainee. What’s interesting is that the plot here is not about the cruelty of criminals, but about human indifference.

9. A Visit to the Minotaur

• USSR, 1987
• Detective
• Duration: 5 episodes.
• IMDb: 7, 4.

Investigator Tikhonov is finding out the circumstances of the theft that occurred in the apartment of a famous musician. The thieves stole Antonio Stradivari's valuable violin. In parallel, the story of the life and work of a famous master in Italy of the 17th century is told.

And again the Weiner brothers. It’s interesting that their work includes a whole series of books about Tikhonov. True, in films this character was always played by different actors, and in “Enter the Labyrinth” he was completely renamed Muromtsev. By the way, the hero’s boss, Vladimir Ivanovich, is the same Sharapov from the series “The meeting place cannot be changed.”

8. TASS is authorized to declare…

• USSR, 1984.
• Detective.
• Duration: 10 episodes.
• IMDb : 7.4.

Soviet intelligence learns that a CIA agent is hiding in Moscow. He sends secret information to America related to African countries where a military coup is being prepared. The fate of the entire state depends on the work of Soviet services.

Yulian Semyonov is another famous author of books about the Soviet police and intelligence services. As a master of the detective genre, he became famous after the release of the novel “Petrovka, 38,” which was soon filmed. “TASS is authorized to declare…” is also based on Semenov’s book of the same name, and the author himself adapted the plot to the script.

7. Method

• Russia, 2015.
• Detective, thriller, crime.
• Duration: 16 episodes.
• IMDb: 7.4

Still from the TV series “Method”

A graduate of the Faculty of Law, Yesenia Steklova, goes on an internship with investigator Rodion Meglin. He has an incredible talent in uncovering the activities of maniacs. The girl hopes that her mentor will help her find her parents' killer. However, Meglin himself often seems dangerous.

The series by Yuri Bykov with Konstantin Khabensky in the title role has become one of the most important events in the world of Russian detectives and thrillers in recent years. Unfortunately, work on the second season took a long time.

6. Born of a revolution

• USSR, 1974–1977.
• Adventure, detective, historical.
• Duration: 10 episodes.
• IMDb: 7.5.

The plot is dedicated to the emergence and development of the Soviet police. Young Pskov peasant Nikolai Kondratyev joins the ranks of defenders of the law. He will have to devote most of his life to work.

The action of this series stretches over years. In parallel with the lives of the main characters, the viewer is shown important events in the life of the country, against the backdrop of which the criminal investigation department is fighting crime.

5. The investigation is being conducted by the Experts

• USSR, 1971–1989.
• Detective, drama.
• Duration: 22 episodes.

< li>IMDb: 7.6.

The series is about three Moscow police officers. Investigator Znamensky, criminal investigation inspector Tomin and forensic expert Kibrit investigate the most complex cases, catch counterfeiters and speculators, and sometimes murderers.

The classic series has been published for more than 15 years. During this time, 22 episodes were filmed, each of which lasted as long as a full-length film. In 2002, the project was briefly resumed, releasing two more episodes with the subtitle “Ten Years Later.”

4. Confrontation

• USSR, 1985.
• Detective, crime, military.
• Duration: 6 episodes.
• IMDb: 7.8.

< /p>Still from the series “Confrontation”

The police discover the headless corpse of a certain Mikhail Gonchakov. Suspicion falls on taxi driver Grigory Milinko. But it soon turns out that the real owner of this name died in the war.

Another film adaptation by Yulian Semyonov. In this story, the main plot develops in the 70-80s, and in parallel there are flashbacks about the times of the war.

3. Liquidation

• Russia, 2007.
• Detective, crime, military.
• Duration: 14 episodes.
• IMDb: 8.3.

In post-war Odessa, a gang of criminals led by the mysterious Academician robs military warehouses. Lieutenant Colonel of the Odessa Criminal Investigation Department David Markovich Gotsman is trying to catch the villains. Meanwhile, Marshal Zhukov himself is exiled to the city.

Many people loved this series for its witty Odessa vocabulary and humor. But in fact, the detective component in “Liquidation” is written no worse. The identity of the Academician remains a mystery for a long time.

2. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson

• USSR, 1980–1986.
• Detective, drama.
• Duration: 5 films (11 episodes).
• IMDb: 8.6.

The most beloved film adaptation of the series of books by Arthur Conan Doyle about the great detective Sherlock Holmes and his partner Dr. Watson. Detectives investigate unusual cases and even fight with the king of the underworld, Moriarty.

The project was released in the form of five television films, each of which consisted of two or three episodes. Many still consider this version to be the most successful and canonical adaptation of the books about Sherlock Holmes.

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1. The meeting place cannot be changed

• USSR, 1979.
• Crime, drama, detective.
• Duration: 5 episodes.
• IMDb: 8.8.

< /p>Still from the series “The meeting place cannot be changed”

After the war, intelligence officer Vladimir Sharapov goes to serve in the criminal investigation department under the leadership of Captain Zheglov. From the very first days of work, he has to take on a difficult case: investigate the murder of Larisa Gruzdeva and catch the Black Cat gang of robbers.

The series is based on the novel by the Weiner brothers, “The Era of Mercy.” The authors of the original, together with director Stanislav Govorukhin, insisted in every possible way that Vladimir Vysotsky be cast in the role of Gleb Zheglov, although the party leadership was against it. But it was this artist who largely ensured the popularity of the project.

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Which TV films and series from the list have you already watched, or maybe watched several times? Or do you like other detective stories from the USSR and Russia? Then tell us about them in the comments.

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