Well, as with all good serials, director Edgar Reitz seizes the viewer's attention in the opening instalment and always leaves us with questions to which we simply have to know the answers. Moreover, he ensures that the events and emotions that his characters experience are familiar to us all, thus persuading us to identify with their passions, ambitions, frustrations, triumphs and regrets.

In Heimat (1984), Reitz introduces us to Maria Simon, who has to cope alone with the 1920s Depression after her husband abandons her to try his luck in America. Then, as Hitler leads his nation into war, she finds unexpected romance and bears a third child, Hermann, whose story will dominate both Die Zweite Heimat (1992) - in which he becomes a composer after studying in 1960s Munich - and Heimat 3 (2004), in which he and long-lost love Clarissa attempt to make a new life for themselves against the backdrop of German reunification.

DID YOU KNOW?
	The actress who plays Maria (Marita Breuer) had to age from 19 to 82 but was actually 27 to 29 during the 18 months of filming the first Heimat series.

From Charles Dickens to Coronation Street, the key to keeping people hooked on a continuing storyline has been the quality of the writing. In all three films, Reitz succeeds in juggling numerous plotlines without resorting to melodrama or caricature. He's also supported by an exceptional cast, whose natural performances draw you in to the key social, political and cultural issues that impacted across the entire continent.

So, why not give Heimat a try? It's totally addictive and, you never know, you could find yourself hoping that the election of a German pope will inspire the 72-year-old Reitz to contemplate a fourth masterpiece.