Fascinating history, very good movie — but demanding, and its lack of easy answers will frustrate some. Lessons about 21st century terrorism are implicit, but not overly stressed.
The Baader Meinhof Complex (2009)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:12
Fresh:8
Rotten:4
Average Rating:6.5/10
Consensus: Intricately researched and impressively authentic slice of modern German History, with a terrific cast, assured direction, and a cracking script.
Theatrical Release:14-11-2008
Synopsis:
Germany in the 1970s: Murderous bomb attacks, the threat of terrorism and the fear of the enemy inside are rocking the very foundations of the still fragile German democracy. The radicalized...
Germany in the 1970s: Murderous bomb attacks, the threat of terrorism and the fear of the enemy inside are rocking the very foundations of the still fragile German democracy. The radicalized children of the Nazi generation led by Andreas Baader (Moritz Bleibtreu), Ulrike Meinhof (Martina Gedeck) and Gudrun Ensslin (Johanna Wokalek) are fighting a violent war against what they perceive as the new face of fascism: American imperialism supported by the German establishment, many of whom have a Nazi past. Their aim is to create a more human society but by employing inhuman means they not only spread terror and bloodshed, they also lose their own humanity. The man who understands them is also their hunter: the head of the German police force Horst Herold (Bruno Ganz). And while he succeeds in his relentless pursuit of the young terrorists, he knows he’s only dealing with the tip of the iceberg.
Producer and scriptwriter Bernd Eichinger (PERFUME - STORY OF A MURDERER, DOWNFALL) brings Stefan Aust’s standard work on RAF terrorism, THE BAADER MEINHOF COMPLEX to the big screen for Constantin Film. Director Uli Edel (LAST EXIT TO BROOKLYN, ZOO) presents the dramatic events that shook the democratic foundations of the Federal Republic of Germany from 1967 to the “German Autumn” of 1977. --© Vitagraph
Starring: Moritz Bleibtreu, Martina Gedeck, Johanna Wokalek, Bruno Ganz
Starring: Moritz Bleibtreu, Martina Gedeck, Johanna Wokalek, Bruno Ganz, Nadja Uhl, Alexandra Maria Lara, Karoline Herfurth, Hannah Herzsprung
Director: Uli Edel
Director: Uli Edel
Screenwriter: Bernd Eichinger
Producer: Bernd Eichinger
Studio: Vitagraph Films
Reviews for The Baader Meinhof Complex
As an action-packed pageant of events it is excitingly demonstrative and provocative, but as human drama it proves a mite too enigmatic and unyielding.
Along with Downfall, with whom it shares a screenwriter, this is among the greatest of the recent new wave of German films.
There is a real problem with a film that, although thoroughly researched and directed with integrity, struggles to move the audience.
There are plenty of suspect devices and home-made bombs duct-taped to alarm clocks here, but we never find out what makes their creators tick.
The Baader-Meinhof Complex, directed by Uli Edel from a screenplay by Bernd Eichinger, represents a darker vision of the period that, given the ongoing war on terror and fear about home-grown militants, seems especially timely.
Fascinating history, very good movie -- but demanding, and its lack of easy answers will frustrate some. Lessons about 21st century terrorism are implicit, but not overly stressed.
The Baader-Meinhof Complex is diluted by too many events and characters distributed over too much time.
Even though its purpose couldn't be more serious, its style could hardly be more pulp. Which is probably fitting for a group that started out with high-minded goals and ended up robbing banks and blowing people away.
A long but powerful true-life drama of 1970s German terrorists features masterful storytelling and bravura performances.
An explosive performance by Johanna Wokalek gives some relief to an otherwise long and humdrum series of characters, blow-'em-ups and prison locations.
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