Pagan peaks, also known as sacred or holy mountains, hold a significant place in different cultures and religions around the world. These peaks are considered to be dwelling places of gods or goddesses and are often associated with spiritual and religious practices. In ancient times, these mountains were revered for their awe-inspiring beauty and their perceived closeness to the divine. They were believed to be gateways to the heavens or the physical manifestations of divine power. As a result, many ancient cultures built temples or shrines on these mountains and performed rituals and ceremonies to honor the gods or seek their favor. One famous example of such a mountain is Mount Olympus in Greece, which was believed to be the home of the twelve Olympian gods in Greek mythology.

The Crime Warp

I’m glad I waited until I’d seen all eight episodes of this German / Austrian co-production. Unlike the reviewer of a popular daily paper, I’m not going to write obvious lazy generalities, comparing it to the Bridge, the Tunnel and other programmes that deal with cross border police investigations. I think he even managed to bring Corbyn and Boris into his review, so I’m not sure we both watched the same series at all. Der Pass might resemble Scandi Noir in its atmosphere and pacing, but Wiedemann and Berg, producers of Dark and The Lives of Others have brought to screen a cracking story with unexpected twists and an outstanding Austrian / German cast.

When a bizarrely staged frozen body is found on top of a snowy pass straddling the Austrian / German border (described by previously mentioned reviewer as the dullest pass in Europe, it is in fact not used in the winter due to the altitude and snow levels), teams from both countries are forced to work together to investigate this strange murder. The German team is led by a female inspector, Ellie Stocker, while her Austrian counterpart is Gedeon Winter, a lost soul in every meaning of the word. He’s addicted to pretty much everything going and has lost all interest in life, his work or his fellow man. Played by the classically trained Nicholas Ofczarek, we see a slob of a man, albeit it an intelligent one, who is cynical and lacks empathy. Will this case finally strip him of all humanity or will it offer a sliver of hope for redemption?

Ellie Stocker, movingly played by the talented German actor Julia Jentsch, is a bright positive cop, who despite her cheery demeanour struggles with her own personal challenges. After initial clashes, they are able to work together as they set aside their egos and focus on hunting down this murderer, whose killing spree is escalating at an alarming rate. I found his use of masks to be particularly disturbing. It's not enough to kill people, but to observe the victims behind a mask of anonymity and revel in their fear . the use of the very real Alpine Pagan Krampus tradition is inspired. If you are taken with the masks and costumes you must book your next holiday for December 6th, the Feast of St Nicholas and you can get your adrenaline pumping just by hanging out in an Austrian village which honours this frightening custom.

What makes this series so interesting psychologically, is that we encounter the psychopathic serial killer early on and can follow his development down a road of total destructive evil. Franz Hartwig puts in a stellar performance with great subtlety and credibility.

Representing our esteemed press is a glory-hunting journalist who is happy to destroy lives as long as he gets his story. I wonder to what extent this sub plot and characterisation have affected some reviews of this outstanding series.

Other reviewers have called the setting stunning or beautiful, but if you’ve ever seen the Austrian mountains, you will know that the camera work has succeeded in portraying the Alps as creepy, reeking of evil, and eerie. You won’t find a holiday picture postcard landscape or the sun sparkling on fresh snow. You won’t find friendly hospitable ski instructors, but damaged hard-nosed natives struggling with the ambiguous challenges of daily life. Not one of them bears any resemblance to Maria in the Sound of Music. In fact, one of my favourite film composers, Hans Zimmer, contributed to the quirky sound track, which firmly places the story on the Austrian side of the border.

Shown by Sky Atlantic in the original German with subtitles, you should be able to get it ‘on demand’.
(T.Forsyth-Moser)

Pagan peaks

When a body is found in the Alps close to the German-Austrian border, cynical Austrian police inspector Gedeon Winter and optimistic commissioner Ellie Stocker from Germany are tasked to investigate the case which leads them into archaic Alpine customs and the paranoid world of the killer.

One famous example of such a mountain is Mount Olympus in Greece, which was believed to be the home of the twelve Olympian gods in Greek mythology. Mount Sinai in Egypt is another notable sacred peak, as it is believed to be the location where Moses received the Ten Commandments from God in the biblical account. In addition to their religious significance, pagan peaks often held a practical importance for the communities living in their vicinity.

Episodes

In the Alps, on the German-Austrian border, a bizarrely staged body is found; German detective Ellie Stocker and Austrian investigator Gedeon Winter are called in to investigate.

Another murder of an entrepreneur proves to be very similar to the first case; a drawing of the suspect reveals a devilish grin, and a mysterious message of the Red Season is found.

While looking for a missing woman, Ellie and Gedeon meet a cult leader with links to their killer, but they can't stop him from taking another life.

Stocker and Winter devise a trap for the killer that requires them to go outside the law; however, the killer is always one step ahead, pushing the detectives to play by his rules.

Ellie and Gedeon clash as the investigation starts to take its toll; they find a strange clue in a cold case.

In Salzburg, a fashion mall becomes a war zone after a deadly bombing which strikes fear in the general public; Ellie is targeted by the killer as revenge for her public comment about him.

These mountains were considered as sources of water, fertility, and protection. The belief in the sacredness of these peaks instilled a sense of reverence and respect for the natural world, leading to the preservation of their surrounding ecosystems. Even today, some pagan peaks continue to be revered and visited by pilgrims and travelers seeking spiritual enlightenment or connection with the divine. Mount Kailash in Tibet, for example, is considered sacred in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Bon religions. Many believe that circumambulating the mountain can purify one's sins and lead to enlightenment. In conclusion, pagan peaks are mountains that hold religious and spiritual significance in various cultures and religions. They are considered holy and sacred, and often serve as a gateway to the divine. These peaks have played a vital role in shaping the beliefs, practices, and communities of the past and continue to inspire awe and reverence in the present day..

Reviews for "The fascinating folklore of Pagan Peaks"

1. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Pagan Peaks" as a fan of crime dramas, but I was sorely disappointed. The plot was convoluted and confusing, making it hard to follow the story or connect with the characters. The pacing was inconsistent, with slow moments that dragged on and sudden jumps in the narrative. Additionally, the acting felt forced and unnatural, further detracting from my enjoyment of the series. Overall, "Pagan Peaks" failed to live up to its potential and left me feeling frustrated.

2. John - 3 stars - While "Pagan Peaks" had its moments, I found it to be ultimately underwhelming. The concept of combining two crime dramas from different countries was intriguing, but the execution fell short. The plot lacked depth and failed to fully explore the potential cultural and narrative clashes that could have made the series unique. Furthermore, the characters felt one-dimensional and lacked the development needed to engage the audience. Though the cinematography was beautiful, it couldn't compensate for the shortcomings in the storytelling. Overall, "Pagan Peaks" had promise, but failed to deliver a truly compelling viewing experience.

3. Emma - 2 stars - I had high expectations for "Pagan Peaks" but was left disappointed. The storyline was confusing and hard to follow, with too many subplots that distracted from the main narrative. The dialogue felt stilted and unrealistic, making it difficult to connect with the characters. The pacing was also off, with certain episodes dragging on while others felt rushed. Overall, "Pagan Peaks" failed to captivate me and left me feeling underwhelmed. I wouldn't recommend it to fans of crime dramas looking for a compelling and well-executed series.

Pagan Peaks: a journey through time