Saw this on the Talking Pictures channel (UK, old films and TV). They had previously shown the 1960s series (50+ episodes, BBC, B&W) featuring Rupert Davies, a generally acclaimed Maigret.
We've also seen the excellent 12 episodes (2 series) that ITV did (90s) with Michael Gambon as Maigret (terrific portrayal) and the less successful later efforts with Rowan Atkinson in the lead.
This Cremer version is of course French, with subtitles, but they are not too wordy, so fairly easy to follow. Also very French, lots of atmosphere, meaningful looks, thoughtful silences.
I see some reviews refer to how faithful this Maigret is to the books, a ludicrous statement in one respect, as Lucas, his main assistant in all the books I've seen, has almost completely disappeared!
I haven't liked all the episodes so far of this Cremer version, but some have been WONDERFUL, this one is OK, well acted, but was also done in the old BBC series, and the later Gambon episodes. I'd say both of them were superior to this one -- and they tell the story perfectly well in far less time.
The other present reviews (inc Spears and Whalen) have outlined the story, and the assorted characters, very well (though La Rochelle isn't a "village" - sorry Spears! - and this story is NOT set there, just nearby).
Maigret gradually finds out why the victim was detested by everyone, a crabby old woman who opened or stole mail, spread rumours and openly insulted almost everyone. She'd even disinherited her daughter, didn't like the husband or child. How did she last so long?!
He senses that the 'outsider' teacher has been framed as a handy scapegoat, but was the 'murder' actually an accident? Who ACTUALLY saw something, and what has been invented.
As Whalen recalls, he comes out with a great line, after the local policeman (who IS from nearby La Rochelle!) asks if he knew what happened, does he have a "lead"? Well, "not a lead, but a scent" - and likens such cases to being near the sea, you can smell wen you're getting close. Great line -- and sums up how Maigret operates, by talking, or at least prodding others to talk, and listening and watching very carefully.
This version differs from the previous we've seen, in that the teacher was never shown, stayed in custody (a salary saved I suppose?!). It also didn't make very much of the sub-plot, a dodgy insurance claim after a boy had been injured in the street, that boy not being in school and so could he be a witness - he can walk to his window - or is he actually the culprit?