Just saw this version on the Talking Pictures (UK) channel. We had previously seen the same story done in the old (60s) BBC version with Rupert Davies (about an hour runtime), though it wasn't featured in in the two series (90s ITV) with Michael Gambon (died just recently) as Maigret (runtime about 90 mins).
One of the reviews (wjspears) has an excellent outline of the episode. Another (by writers-reign) is one of the daftest I've ever seen on IMDB, saying he (she?!) doesn't think much of the characters, not sure if they were written that way, has never read Simenon?! Well, I think you need to read some Simenon, else you won't appreciate Maigret's methods, immersing himself in the characters involved in the crime, gradually discerning what happened, as opposed to the picture at least some of the witnesses are trying to paint? And no car chases, no odd shoot-outs (well, one or two in 50+ episodes), just an occasional bit of obstruction from the examining magistrate (France has a different enquiry method to USA and UK).
This episode is most enjoyable, Maigret has flown to the Med coast to try and wrap up a murder and "make no waves" -- he has the unwelcome attentions of a local officer, and the way that chap is dealt with is both effective and very funny. Unlike some Maigret stories, this one has quite a long list of possible culprits, his 'wife' and her mother (actually he has a legal first wife in Australia), his 'friends' at a local bar (Liberty of the title) that he hangs out with for much of the time, or could it have been his son, trying to get full control of the family company? Could it even have been some connection to WW2 (this part seems odd, an Australian who was a Resistance hero?) - but Maigret soon dismisses that possibility.
Though the running time flies by, as Maigret floats (well, plods) round the various characters, working out who was where on the fateful day, who had a really good motive, and why wait until now, had anything changed for the victim in recent days or weeks?
The acting is impeccable, the sleazy bar is beautifully shot (as are the location shots of the sea, even if as we hear it's actually South African sea?!). Eventually one character turns up with a surprising (and very large!) sum of money, just where could that have come from? And we reach a surprise, though compassionate ending. And no 'waves' as requested!!