The story of how late 60's West German student radicalism turned to violence and then cold-blooded terrorism.
If you know a bit of Euro history and also know the German language - and you were old enough to remember all this first time around - then you are about as well placed to enjoy (if that is the right word) this production as I am. However even from this privileged position the production does play like "urban terrorists greatest hits."
Yes, things will blow up, combatants will be riddled with bullets and radical lefty middle class bullshit will be spoken (or should I say shouted.) But I am (as a book reader on the subject) more interested in the characters than the bombs, the bullets and the cigarettes (does any radical not smoke?) Who are these people and why should you shoot people in the head because they happen to run a bank? It is not like you are not using money yourself. Soft targets for soft heads.
Dare I say it, these people were as "German" as their parents: Maybe even more self-serving, violent and compassion-less. Liars and hypocrites too - the bombing of workplaces kills without discrimination. Equally, where does the money (for the guns and hideouts, etc.) come from? This film gives no clear information. Let me help: East Germany some of it - a place where hot members were even allowed to hide out.
Director Uli Edel is wise enough to know that the audience for entertainment will out-number those that look for information, so he keeps the script cracking along like a band rushing to end a bad gig. The plot (while often true) doesn't really bare any more thinking about than the script of a bad Eddie Murphy movie - the West German state wasn't going to release hard line terrorists for any hostage. Token gestures and futile actions.
Praise to the backers. They have coughed up a fortune for props and sets. I can well imagine this is the most expensive local film to date. The acting is good too - even though most have little to actually act with other than a mug sweat.
Most of the real action happened in the heads of the main protagonists and that cannot be filmed or fully explained. Not in rational terms. Their world is a world of nonsense and most of the rest of the world is far too sane (and comfortable) to want to join them in their Marxist/anarchist ultra violent fantasy island. Entertaining as it may be - in watching - in the safety of the cinema.
If you know a bit of Euro history and also know the German language - and you were old enough to remember all this first time around - then you are about as well placed to enjoy (if that is the right word) this production as I am. However even from this privileged position the production does play like "urban terrorists greatest hits."
Yes, things will blow up, combatants will be riddled with bullets and radical lefty middle class bullshit will be spoken (or should I say shouted.) But I am (as a book reader on the subject) more interested in the characters than the bombs, the bullets and the cigarettes (does any radical not smoke?) Who are these people and why should you shoot people in the head because they happen to run a bank? It is not like you are not using money yourself. Soft targets for soft heads.
Dare I say it, these people were as "German" as their parents: Maybe even more self-serving, violent and compassion-less. Liars and hypocrites too - the bombing of workplaces kills without discrimination. Equally, where does the money (for the guns and hideouts, etc.) come from? This film gives no clear information. Let me help: East Germany some of it - a place where hot members were even allowed to hide out.
Director Uli Edel is wise enough to know that the audience for entertainment will out-number those that look for information, so he keeps the script cracking along like a band rushing to end a bad gig. The plot (while often true) doesn't really bare any more thinking about than the script of a bad Eddie Murphy movie - the West German state wasn't going to release hard line terrorists for any hostage. Token gestures and futile actions.
Praise to the backers. They have coughed up a fortune for props and sets. I can well imagine this is the most expensive local film to date. The acting is good too - even though most have little to actually act with other than a mug sweat.
Most of the real action happened in the heads of the main protagonists and that cannot be filmed or fully explained. Not in rational terms. Their world is a world of nonsense and most of the rest of the world is far too sane (and comfortable) to want to join them in their Marxist/anarchist ultra violent fantasy island. Entertaining as it may be - in watching - in the safety of the cinema.