Schwerin Investigators Clash with Berlin Police Over Unsolved Serial Murders
Kriminalhauptkommissar Jens Hinrichs and Oberkommissar Kurt Groth step outside their jurisdictional bounds in the Polizeiruf 110 episode “Rasputin,” launching an unauthorized probe into a three-year string of prostitute murders. The Berlin Sonderkommission heading the case has stalled without a hot lead, leaving the Schweriner team to pursue the killer independently using American profiling techniques and a vulnerable informant named Nina.
American Profiling Methods Meet Dead Ends in Schwerin
Several women have died over three years, with a heavy dose of morphine linking every crime scene. While the official Berlin SOKO treads water, Hinrichs splits his time between official duty and late-night investigations to build a behavioral profile. He tracks down Nina at the “Relax” brothel, whose close friend was the most recent victim. Hinrichs enlists Nina as an informant, concealing his true rank by claiming to lead an independent investigative unit.
Oberkommissar Groth watches his partner’s zealous approach with dry irony while refusing to let him fail. Together, the two detectives examine local doctor Dr. Siggi Langer, whose erratic lifestyle includes nocturnal partying, severe tardiness at his practice, and unusual contracts requiring employees to help him sleep and complete housework. Hinrichs also investigates Daniel Blind, a self-described “handy artist” who targeted Nina and continues to stalk her.
Berlin SOKO Side-Lines Schwerin Detectives After Breakthrough
Neither Hinrichs nor Groth realizes that the Berlin SOKO has already recruited Nina to act as a decoy. Hinrichs hits a wall when trying to apply imported profiling formulas to identify the killer. Groth pulls a crucial clue from his partner’s case files just as the two officers edge toward a breakthrough. Instead of acknowledging the progress, the Berlin task force abruptly pulls the plug on the Schweriner duo, leaving Nina in grave danger.
Behind the Scenes of the 1998 NDR Crime Drama
“Rasputin” marks the twelfth joint case for actors Uwe Steimle as Jens Hinrichs and Kurt Böwe as Kurt Groth. The film carries episode number 210 within the broader Polizeiruf 110 television series. Julia Richter stars as the informant Nina, Edgar Selge appears as Dr. Siggi Langer, and Thommi Baake plays Daniel Blind. Additional cast members include Horst Frank as the pathologist and Armin Rohde as the urologist Willem.
Hans-Erich Viet directed the feature and co-wrote the script with Edmund Grote. Polyphon Film- und Fernseh GmbH produced the crime film in November 1998 across Schwerin and surrounding locations on commission for NDR. When the network first broadcast the episode, it pulled a 15.9 percent audience share.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Episode
When was the “Rasputin” episode filmed and broadcast?
Production for the episode took place in November 1998 in and around Schwerin, commissioned by NDR, and achieved a 15.9 percent audience share upon its initial television broadcast.
Who wrote and directed the production?
Hans-Erich Viet directed the film and wrote the screenplay alongside Edmund Grote, while Polyphon Film- und Fernseh GmbH handled the physical production.
Which actors star as the lead detectives?
Uwe Steimle stars as Kriminalhauptkommissar Jens Hinrichs, and Kurt Böwe plays Oberkommissar Kurt Groth, marking their twelfth joint appearance in the detective series.
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