User reviews

Greatest Belgian show of all time, would binge 10/10

Lili & Marleen follows the story of a group of friends from the last days of World War 2 until the expo in Belgium (1958). All episodes are located in an Antwerp pub, called "De Vuurtoren" (Probably located in the region of "Het Eilandje"). The pub is owned by "Moeder Lisa", who lives there with her brother Rik, a "salesman" who wants to get profit out of everything (Germans, Allies, ...) and his daughter Nieke (Who loves to have a luxurious life but ends up having the baby of a German soldier). Moeder Lisa also has a son, Pierre. Other inhabitants of the pub are Marleen (a girl from Limburg who came to the big city to escape the violence of the war and gain some money), Stavros (A Greek on the run from the Germans) and Jef and Ida (the two "cabaratiers" of the pub). Other important guests are Rikkie (the son of Nieke and the German soldier) and Nonkel Frans (the rich boyfriend of Nieke). The story follows the problems (love, pregnancy, money, ...) of the characters but with an humorous tone.

This is absolutely the best belgian comedy series of all times. Good cast, spoken in Antwerp dialect. It tells the story of a family and some friends, living in the same building during and after ww 2.

The outline of the plot has been adequately described in a former contribution to this site.Although the series has many local characteristics that can only be fully understood by a Flemish public, it offers that undeniable element of universal appeal that is inherent to all outstanding sitcoms.People are basically the same all over the world and cultural differences are merely appearances that mask our true and similar identities.All good script writers, directors and producers who are aware of this fact always succeed in surpassing the limitations of their immediate environment. "Lili & Marleen" apart from having a keen eye for detail and historical exactitude is supported by a team of professional actors who excel in portraying typical individuals we are likely to encounter in everyday life.The series is without any doubt one of the best and most witty sitcoms Belgian television has produced in recent years.