Marshland is slow burn, albeit entertaining and intriguing police procedural that takes place in a rural Spain during 1980. In addition to this police investigation we have an interesting character study, as we get to know the two detectives Pedro and Juan. The photography in particular is splendid. There was something very trance like feel in this movie, especially the weather n the locations. The music too was good. I enjoyed true detective the mini series. Marshland comes very close to true detective. Also while watching this film, memories of murder came to my mind. The Superb photography, memorable acting, music that asks questions, simmering political undertones. The cinematography was excellent. Certain scenes looked like painting. I highly recommend this to fans of true detective, memories of murder, prisoners and the abandoned (2006).

The difference between a good crime thriller and an average one, is often the setting. In the case of 'La Isla Minima', the surroundings are as important as the plot. The story takes place in a remote part of Spain, an area of treeless plains, lonely marshlands and wide rivers. The inhabitants of the isolated villages are suspicious of outsiders. In this hostile environment, two policemen try to solve the murder of two teenage sisters. Slowly but determinedly, they gather clues and try to squeeze information out of the uncooperative villagers.

Apart from the scenery, the film is also interesting because of the political situation underpinning the story. The film takes place in 1980, when Spain is in the process of becoming a democracy after being ruled for decades by the dictator Franco. One of the policemen, a former officer in Franco's special forces, still holds on to the old fashioned way of using violence to get things done. The other, a much younger man who embraces the new democracy, has a very different style.

The film is beautifully shot, with some remarkable aerial footage. It's nice to see that Spanish cinema has more to offer than Almodovar.

I think "Marshland" is a very good film and I do recommend it...but not unequivocally. This is because this Spanish film is very well done but it's also quite brutal to watch with several ultra- realistic looking dead naked bodies...bodies that had been brutalized. In many ways, it's like watching an episode of the TV show "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" where you get to see everything...and that's something many of you don't want to necessarily see. You'll have to decide for yourself if you're up to seeing the film and if you are, it just recently came to Netflix here in the States.

If you do watch the film, it wouldn't hurt if you know about recent Spanish history. It's set back in 1980...not long after the repressive Franco regime had been replaced with a democratically elected government. In Franco's day, the police could be more brutal and civil rights weren't nearly as important for the people they suspected. Because of this history, one of these veteran cops periodically shows a very brutal side....and witnesses who hold back are likely to get a rather serious beating--even uncooperative old ladies! So what are these cops investigating and why does one of them think it's worth delivering a butt kicking here and there?! In a small town in the marshland, a couple young ladies have disappeared...and at first it's just a missing person case. But when they are eventually found dismembered and there might be other killings, things get very serious. So serious that at one point in the film, even the local drug lord tries to help the police!

The acting in this film is definitely underplayed...most likely to make the flashes of brutality all the more jarring. Now this is not to say that the film is slow or bad in any way...just deliberately paced and with music that definitely helps to set this somber, brooding mood. This helps build tension during the course of the story. My only real complaints are about the corpse scenes...as they are intense. Still, the film is so well made that I'm a bit surprised that I didn't see it listed today among the Oscar nominees for Best Foreign Language Picture.