Murder and intrigue: The Danube is deeply enthusiastic about the Passau audience!

Murder and intrigue: The Danube is deeply enthusiastic about the Passau audience!

A hotly debated topic on German television on Friday, June 20, 2025 was the feature film *The Danube is deep*, which was broadcast on 3sat as part of the *Crimes from Passau* series. Maurice Hübner's crime novel shows us the gripping story of private detective Ferdinand Zankl, who is accused of murdering his ex-wife. The broadcast took place at 9:44 p.m., and last but not least for crime fans, the 3sat media library offers the opportunity to stream the film online, although not all programs are available there and no repeats are planned on classic TV. The film was produced in 2020 and is intended for ages 12 and up and features, among others, actors Marie Leuenberger, Michael Ostrowski and Nadja Sabersky in central roles.

In the plot, Zankl is suddenly confronted with his dark past when his ex-wife, Nunzia Rossi, is found murdered. Shortly before his arrest, Zankl had buried the body of an Arab contract killer to protect his accomplice Frederike Bader. Zankl finds himself in a hopeless situation: while he is in prison, he has to put pressure on Frederike to investigate his innocence. But Frederike, an ex-policewoman, is initially skeptical, but feels compelled to help in order to protect her daughter. This conflict between personal protection and worthwhile commitment forms the heart of the exciting thriller, in which time is of the essence and a dangerous situation threatens.

The crime horizon in Germany

Crime in Germany has been declining for some time, as the current police crime statistics (PKS) from the Federal Criminal Police Office make clear. There were a total of 5.84 million cases in 2024, a decrease of 1.7% compared to the previous year. One reason for this decline is the falling cannabis offenses that have been observed since partial legalization. Nevertheless, the fear of crime remains a constant side effect, as crimes that affect people's sense of security are on the rise. What role do media reports like *The Danube is deep* play in raising awareness of crime?

What is particularly striking is that violent crimes, such as murder and manslaughter, only make up a very small proportion of total crime compared to other crimes. In 2024 they were only 0.1%, while sexual crimes were around 2.2%. These statistics make it clear that reports of serious crimes such as those in *The Danube is Deep* may provoke critical debate, but in reality the absolute number of such crimes reflects minimal balances within the broader crime spectrum. Especially in city states like Berlin or Hamburg, the probability of becoming a victim of a crime is significantly higher.

Crime scenes in Passau

Looking back at the film itself, the setting of Passau plays a crucial role. The city's charming landscapes and impressive monuments add a special touch to history. Zankl's challenge to come to terms with his past reflects the struggle of a man who would risk everything for the love of his family. While Zankl sits in his cell, Frederike has to investigate against the clock and comes across another lead that is connected to the Czech puppy smuggler Jaroslav Kaiser, which further intensifies the tension.

The developments surrounding Zankl's imprisonment and Frederike's investigation show that although the overall crime rate is declining, there are still many stories to tell. The protagonist's entanglements and his compulsion to face both his inner demons and external threats make *The Danube is deep* a captivating film that not only offers suspense, but also encourages reflection on the reality of crime.

For interested viewers, the details of the film and the history of its creation are available in the 3sat media library. Take a look and experience a hot crime thriller that shows how thin the line between right and wrong can be.