Matador (1978) is a drama web series in English. On New MovieLinkBD: full story, cast, ratings, season & episode guide, official trailer and where to watch Matador online in HD.
Matador — Storyline
Matador is a Danish TV series produced and shown between 1978 and 1982. It is set in the fictional Danish town of Korsbæk between 1929 and 1947. It follows the lives of a range of characters from across the social spectrum, focusing specifically on the rivalry between the families of two businessmen: The banker Hans Christian Varnæs, an established local worthy, and social climber Mads Skjern, who arrives in town as the series opens. The name Matador was taken from the localised edition of the boardgame Monopoly, also the series' tentative English title. In addition, in contemporary Danish a "matador" is often used to describe a business tycoon, in the series referring to the character of Mads Skjern and his craftiness as a self-made entrepreneur.
Directed by famed Danish film maker Erik Balling, Matador was the idea of author Lise Nørgaard who wrote the bulk of the episodes alongside Karen Smith, Jens Louis Petersen and Paul Hammerich. The series is one of the most well-known and popular examples of Danish television and represents the peak of longtime development of Danish TV drama by the public service channel Danmarks Radio.
The series has become part of the modern self-understanding of Danes, partly because of its successful mix of melodrama and a distinct warm Danish humour in the depiction of characters, which were portrayed by a wide range of the most popular Danish actors at the time; but also not least because of its accurate portrayal of a turbulent Denmark from around the start of the Great Depression and through Nazi Germany's occupation of Denmark in World War II.
Cast & Crew
- Created by: Lise Nørgaard, Erik Balling
- Starring: Jørgen Buckhøj, Ghita Nørby, Holger Juul Hansen, Malene Schwartz, Jesper Langberg, Helle Virkner, Buster Larsen, Lily Broberg
Matador — Series Details
| First Air Date | 1978-11-11 |
| Seasons | 4 |
| Episodes | 24 |
| Genre | Drama |
| Language | English |
| Network | DR1 |
| Status | Ended |
| Rating | 9/10 (31 votes) |
Matador — Episode Guide
Season 1
- E1: The traveler (1978-11-11) — Traveling clothier salesman Mads Andersen-Skjern arrives in Korsbæk with his little boy Daniel and sees opportunities when faced with the inept draper Albert Arnesen and this small
- E2: The Neighbour (1978-11-18) — The town's bourgeoisie watch with judging and disapproving eyes as Mads Skern opens his new clothing shop, in direct competition with Arnesen's. Oluf Larsen's daughter, Ingeborg, s
- E3: Succession (1978-11-25) — Arnesen's store is losing money hand over fist, so when he learns that his manager, Mr. Schwann, has inherited a large sum, he persuades him to become his partner; the snobby Mr. S
- E4: The Maiden Aunt (1978-12-02) — Mads' business continues to thrive and he even begins issuing loans to the locals. His younger brother Kristen, a banker, arrives in Korsbæk to assist. Kristen is quickly smitten w
- E5: One Man's Loss (1978-12-09) — Arnesen is in the shambles, and even Varnæs cannot aid him financially any further.
- E6: Deployment (1978-12-16) — To the horror of the bourgeoisie employees of Arnesen's clothing store, Vicki, now a young widow, sells the store to Mads Andersen-Skjern and moves to Copenhagen, against her fathe
Season 2
- E1: The Birthday (1979-11-17) — While Mads Skjern continues to expand his businesses, Hans Christian Varnæs battles a new dynamic force in the board of his bank, the state lawyer Viggo Skjold Hansen, who has obta
- E2: The stranger in town (1979-11-24) — The internationally renowned painter Professor Ernst Nyborg lands in Korsbæk. He is a former art teacher and romantic interest of Maude Varnæs. Also arriving to witness Nyborg's ex
- E3: What about the dresser (1979-12-01) — The Varnæsses' maid, Agnes Jensen, quits her job to get married to railway employee and local communist, Lauritz "Red" Jensen, but to her dismay, Red quickly invites a German refug
- E4: Nowadays (1979-12-08) — Mads' building project is well under way, but Mrs. Møhge supported by Skjold Hansen continues to fight him. Skjold Hansen's daughter Iben arrives in town, having cancelled an upcom
- E5: In a Pinch (1979-12-15) — Agnes delivers a boy, while Vicki, widow of Arnesen, returns to Korsbæk as a traveling vaudeville actress and reconciles with her father, the Colonel. Via Oluf Larsen she meets Her
- E6: For better and for worse (1979-12-22) — Herbert Schmidt and Lauritz "Red" Jensen embark for Spain to fight the fascists in the Spanish Civil War, but Red changes his mind en route, while Herbert continues on. Elisabeth r
Season 3
- E1: A new life (1980-12-06) — Mads is back in business and expands on all fronts and moves his family to a large villa outside of Korsbæk. The Varnæs couple returns from a trip to Paris, envigourated and with M
- E2: The pieces of the puzzle (1980-12-13) — Jørgen Varnæs feels Mads' hand when Jørgen has taken an early Christmas vacation (on December 7) and has traveled to Switzerland. Upon his return a month later, Mads de facto reduc
- E3: To think and to believe (1980-12-20) — As Oluf Larsen is arranging pictures of assorted fascists in his outhouse, he's surprised by Herbert Schmidt, returned from Spain. He's reunited with Vicki, who'd become a teacher
- E4: Laura's big day (1980-12-27) — Laura, having served the Varnæs family for 25 years, are going with Maude to Copenhagen to receive a medal for "loyal service". There, Maude, through a childhood friend meet a Germ
- E5: The adult ranks (1981-01-03) — Sofus Jensen, Korsbæk's beat policeman, seeks out Lauritz along with a police lieutenant early in the morning of June 22, 1941, the day Hitler declares war against the Soviet Union
- E6: Hr. Stein (1981-01-10) — Skjern's business is thriving despite the war and in part due to Daniel's help. The local resistance group launch sabotage missions, and the pictures of dictators in Larsen's outho
Season 4
- E1: Wheeling and dealing (1981-11-28) — Doctor Hansen seeks out Agnes Jensen and offers her to flee with her children to Sweden, where her husband Lauriz is. But her business is thriving, and she refuses. For business, A
- E2: The eleventh hour (1981-12-05) — The war makes it increasingly difficult to secure heat even for the Varnæs family, who send their children to the public bath house. Misse Møhge wishes to arrange her financial pla
- E3: Peace on earth and goodwill toward men (1981-12-12) — The funeral dinner for Frederik Andersen is progressing at the Varnæs house when the radio suddenly broadcasts the news that the Germans have surrendered in Denmark. Amidst general
- E4: All's well (1981-12-19) — Skjold Hansen has announced his retirement from the Korsbæk Bank Board. Bank President Jessen suggests that Jørgen Varnæs return to the board as Skjold Hansen's replacement, but he
- E5: Among brothers (1981-12-26) — Ulrik reveals to Ellen that he is to marry Maja, prompting Ellen to sever all relations. Misse, now a widow, reveals to the leading ladies of the town that she's attracting men, ev
- E6: New look (1982-01-02) — Mads comes home from a trip to USA bringing with him new business ideas. Despite Daniel not having completed his exams, Mads calls on Daniel to help implement the ideas. Mads is ye
Frequently Asked Questions
How many seasons does Matador have? 4 season(s) with 24 episodes.
Who created Matador? Lise Nørgaard, Erik Balling.
Where can I watch Matador? See the Where to Watch section above for current streaming options.
