The Baader Meinhof Complex

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The Baader Meinhof Complex - 10/11/2008 12:47:13 PM

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Post #: 1

Too much detail, too little soul - 10/11/2008 12:47:13 PM

zenotrapp

Posts: 55
Joined: 2/10/2005
From: Berlin

The film is based on Stefan Aust's factual roundup of the creation and falldown of Germany's Red Army Faction and it seems like screenwriter/producer Bernd Eichinger and director Uli Edel wanted to say far too much in their adaptation. While staying close to the facts, it is a test of patiente for the audience, especially for non-German viewers unfamiliar with the story. At the same time it feels rushed, passing through headline-making events over decades of German terrorism, without a clear protagonist or any sort of recognizable story structure. In the end, you can't help the feeling that you've really gone to see a very well produced history-lesson. All the information eas in there, but no soul or emotion to make it stick.

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Post #: 2

RE: Too much detail, too little soul - 11/11/2008 6:56:26 AM

grucl

Posts: 2433
Joined: 11/2/2008

I agree, there is just too much going on in the film without explaination. Even I (who studied german history for several years) wasn't totally on top of things all the time (I had to look up some stuff afterwards).

There is going to be a longer version of the film on german television next year (like they did with Downfall) which hopefully will explain things a little better.

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Post #: 3

Fascinating and absorbing. - 13/11/2008 1:32:22 AM

stuffit

Posts: 16
Joined: 30/10/2008

http://volume124.wordpress.com/2008/11/13/baader-meinhof-complex-2008-dir-uli-edel/

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Post #: 4

RE: Fascinating and absorbing. - 16/11/2008 10:52:26 PM

Goodfella

Posts: 15025
Joined: 30/9/2005
From: North Devon

What is a wrong with you people?

This was without a doubt the best foreign film that I have seen since 'City Of God.' It had me mesmerised from start to finish and I thought Moritz Bleibtrau's performance was Oscar-worthy as rogue and rebel leader Andreas Baader. I thought the script was slick and absorbing and I loved it from start to finish. It was very difficult to have any sympathy with the RAF but I thought the characters were amazing.

Arguably the best film I have seen so far this year.

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Post #: 5

Der Baader Meinhof Komplex - 17/11/2008 12:46:54 PM

moviemaniac2

Posts: 525
Joined: 17/9/2006

As a history lesson The Baadar-Meinhof Complex can't be beat - no stone is left unturned , as it gives a (very) detailed account of their story. . At 150 mins , it outstays its welcome a bit. But,it is filled with good performances by all of the actors , especially Martina Gedeck as Meinhof It is a fascinating watch and there's a lot to like.

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Post #: 6

Frustrating, flawed and compelling in parts. - 19/11/2008 11:41:25 AM

Ann100026

Posts: 2
Joined: 10/3/2008

They definitely weren't messing when they put complex in the title!!! I felt that there were too many stands to the story they left unexplored (i mean how were these young kids able to afford this operation) and I was still unclear about what made these students turn terrorists, oh apart from the war in Vietnam and American imperialism I mean blowing up stuff is always gonna help the cause!!!
I just found them a bit thick and their motivations for the extreme things they did not justified, I don’t know whether this was the point that the film maker was trying to make or he just lost focus. Still an interesting history lesson with no emotional core.

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Post #: 7

The Baader Meinhof Complex - 20/11/2008 1:40:53 PM

Danni

Posts: 11
Joined: 29/5/2008
From: London

This multi-faceted drama based on Stefon Aust’s best-selling novel, bravely adopts a verite account of the Red Army faction (RAF), a left-wing terrorist group that operated within Germany from 1968 to the German autumn in 1977.

Opening with the rather jaunty, feel-good Janis Joplin tune ‘Mercedes Benz’, ‘Der Baader Meinhof Komplex’ immediately transports us back to 1967. Where we see three politically frustrated individuals – Ulrike Meinhof (Martina Gedeck), Andreas Baader (Moritz Bleibtreu) and Gudrun Ensslin (Johanna Wokalek) all of whom founded the militant group that went on to execute various bank robberies and bombings, with the intent to bring the German government to their knees.

Despite Rainer Klausmann’s unflinching photography and stunning performances from its three main stars. There is always a niggling feeling that we as the audience are being protected by the old Hollywood-esque gloss, creating at times a rather uneven tone and mood. Which is mainly due to the rather jarring score, that appears to have been ripped directly out of an episode of ‘24’. However, even with this negative note, this is still a valiant effort in humanising German’s modern post-war history.

http://www.entertainmentnewsline.com/london-film-festival-review-der-baader-meinhof-komplex-the-baader-meinhof-complex/

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Post #: 8

RE: The Baader Meinhof Complex - 25/11/2008 7:50:59 PM

R W

Posts: 268
Joined: 23/6/2006

Director: Uli Edel
Screenwriter: Bernd Eichinger
Starring: Moritz Bleibtreu, Martina Gedeck, Johanna Wokalek, Bruno Ganz

Synopsis
Based on the early years of the West German terrorist group Red Army Faction, which was originally found by Andreas Baader (Bleibtreu) and journalist Ulrike Meinhof (Gedeck).

Review
During the last few years, this new wave of German cinema has pleased Westerners with their films about serious topics on German history, such as Downfall and The Lives of Others. Though these films are based on early periods through out the 20th Century, their subject matters reflect the current political situations, such as the War on Terror.

This latest German piece on war and terrorism is in the hands of Uli Edel, who directed Last Exit to Brooklyn and surprisingly, Body of Evidence. Using Stefan Aust�s book as a basis, writer/producer Bernd Eichinger creates an epic and intelligent piece of history that is hard hitting.

Despite having such smart storytelling, which explores the rise and downfall of the RAF, there is too much depth that is shoved into the story, just to screw with our heads. Because there are quite a few unnecessary scenes, just so the filmmakers were trying to make it into a dead serious piece, it feels somewhat incomprehensible.

While there are complications, there is a lack of character development, which is unfortunate, because the film fails at bringing a story that is personal. However, on a positive side, the film is saved by excellent performances, particularly the leads.

Though there aren�t any intimate scenes between them, independently Moritz Bleibtreu (Run Lola Run) and Martina Gedeck (The Lives of Others) are psychologically brilliant. While there is great support, including Joanna Wokelek as Baader�s lover, some cast members are not necessary, such as Bruno Ganz.

What Uli Edel brings as a director is authenticity, due to the brutality within the action sequences and the recreation of the police state of West Germany. With the film being two and a half hours long, it feels too long, due to the overuse of cutting to the next scene.

Verdict
While it is another breakthrough for German cinema, it does lack some qualities that made Downfall and The Lives of Others so brilliant.

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Post #: 9

RE: The Baader Meinhof Complex - 26/11/2008 6:34:35 PM

Posts: 1631
Joined: 30/9/2005
From: Kilwinnkie

I really struggled with this. I saw it not long after watching the sublime Hunger and classic Battle for Algiers, which was perhaps unfortunate for this film.

Hunger dealt with similar circumstances - violent but charismatic social revolutionaries/para-military reactionaries (delete as appropriate...) but in a far more poetic and evocative manner. The Baader Mienhof felt like a two-and-a-half-hour bombardment of empty rhetoric rather than crafted or pointed dialogue.

The action set-pieces were effective enough, but fairly standard.  Having realised that most of the techniques employed had been kicking around since the days of Battle for Algiers I was constantly reminded that nothing really new was being brought to the table here: the eliptical narrative,occasional tangents including government reactions, snapshots of changing relationships, and so on, all seemed done before.

It perhaps does deserve a second viewing - the film really was densley packed - and probably could be explored further, but I doubt another two-and-a-half hours of watching would be reveal anything more profound or challenging than I didn't already take from it, and other superiour films.

< Message edited by M -- 26/11/2008 6:38:15 PM >

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Post #: 10

RE: The Baader Meinhof Complex - 1/12/2008 2:04:50 PM

rancorpuppet

Posts: 229
Joined: 3/8/2008

I enjoyed this from a social-cynic angle - i.e. the Bader-Meinhoff group were the negative evolution of pretentious political groups you'd often encounter around university campuses. I liked that added detail.

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Post #: 11

RE: The Baader Meinhof Complex - 2/12/2008 2:37:38 PM

filmburner30

Posts: 1546
Joined: 5/12/2006
From: guildford

Really liked this it seems German Cinema is in rude health and wiling to approach raw matters from its History,

Uli Edel who lost his way in Hollywood delivers a hard edged and interesting story with Downfalls producer Bernard Eichnger.

Yes its long but this is a story which had to be told and im glad it was

8.5/10

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Post #: 12

RE: The Baader Meinhof Complex - 2/12/2008 2:39:21 PM

filmburner30

Posts: 1546
Joined: 5/12/2006
From: guildford

Great film enjoyed this a lot

Long but interesting 8.5/10

_____________________________

"Where are you calling from Milo?"
"The bottom of the pool?"

"Im The Anti Christ.You got me in a Vendetta kind of mood"

"Come back Alan , You Wanker!"

"Your a Doctor,Deal with it"

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Post #: 13

RE: The Baader Meinhof Complex - 14/2/2009 10:51:48 PM

m_er

Posts: 3913
Joined: 30/9/2005
From: Istanpool

Plot
In 1960s Germany, journalist Ulrike Meinhof (Gedeck) joins violent activists Andreas Baader (Bleibtreu) and Gudrun Ensslin (Wokalek) in the Red Army Faction. They carry out a series of terrorist attacks and inspire many followers, but fall out even before they are caught and put on trial.

A real slice of a German history. An honest look at a painful period where some young people fought against unfair invasions made by countries with false methods and terrorism. All in all it is absolutely enlightening, brilliantly acted and thoroughly absorbing film. Despite the length I wasn't bored at all. One of the best political films I've seen. To me, it is better than Munich. Perhaps this film needs a second/third viewing to take in all the events that wer shown in the film. One of the best German flicks !!

9/10

The Oscar will go either to Vals With Bashir or The Baader Meinhof Complex imo. Both brililliant films.

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Post #: 14

scootster says - 19/5/2009 7:02:49 PM

gordon livey

Posts: 13
Joined: 20/2/2007

i thought this film was awesome the switch between film and real live footage was breath taking this movie mustve been a nightmare to edit & i reckon they got it right an amazin movie i must admit i didnt know much about the goings on although with the flashing images of historic news events my mind gave me flash backs this is one hell of a move from downfall which was also a great movie but the effort to bare the facts here was unbeleivable it was like the best class history lesson ever, this guy can do an action scene seemingly with ease injecting you the viewer right there. when coming to its end i was beginning to think mmmm this is a bit drawn out but putting 10 years into nearly 3 hours aint bad eh? buy this dvd even my friend chopper was thinking about it the next day & believe me thats a rare & wonderful thing.

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Post #: 15

RE: scootster says - 20/5/2009 5:57:13 PM

dropkickbhoy

Posts: 1
Joined: 9/11/2007

quote:

ORIGINAL: gordon livey

i thought this film was awesome the switch between film and real live footage was breath taking this movie mustve been a nightmare to edit & i reckon they got it right an amazin movie i must admit i didnt know much about the goings on although with the flashing images of historic news events my mind gave me flash backs this is one hell of a move from downfall which was also a great movie but the effort to bare the facts here was unbeleivable it was like the best class history lesson ever, this guy can do an action scene seemingly with ease injecting you the viewer right there. when coming to its end i was beginning to think mmmm this is a bit drawn out but putting 10 years into nearly 3 hours aint bad eh? buy this dvd even my friend chopper was thinking about it the next day & believe me thats a rare & wonderful thing.

yes indeed the bold chopper (ME) vastly enjoyed thes fine movie, some fine explosions in it, some very important political history as well shown and highlighted.

well worth every penny of scootsters hard earned dough.

viva chopper, viva scootster

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Post #: 16

I just don't get it. - 4/10/2009 9:16:26 PM

Hewesy

Posts: 7
Joined: 30/1/2007

30 minutes in - I couldn't care less about any of the characters. Potentially fascinating story, well shot and crafted...just fact over insight. Selfish people doing selfish things. Erm...I just don't get it.

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Post #: 17

- 9/1/2010 5:30:35 AM

nc_jj

Posts: 662
Joined: 20/2/2008
From: Manchester.

This is what you call explosive and electrifying.

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Post #: 18

RE: The Baader Meinhof Complex - 10/2/2011 3:01:03 AM

wgfuzzydunlop1

Posts: 91
Joined: 24/8/2009

I was enthralled and outraged in equal measure. Just superb.