Germany's 1996 Oscar submission, booked for screenings at the Palm Springs Film Festival and the American Cinematheque's "New Films from Germany" series, "The Deathmaker" (Der Totmacher) is a nasty, up-close encounter with one of the century's most notorious mass murderers.
Based on transcripts of a six-week psychiatric evaluation of Fritz Haarmann--who was accused in 1924 of seducing and then killing more than 20 young men--Romuald Karmakar's debut feature is an actor's showcase, with the spotlight falling heavily on lead Gotz George.
Grubby and yet manipulative, cracked World War I veteran Haarmann is a sympathetic monster (he was the model for the Peter Lorre character in Fritz Lang's "M"). The setting is one unadorned room and the action is limited to a few theatrical gestures. In the course of a dozen or so long dialogue scenes the life story and warped perspective of a psychotic, yet oddly lucid killer unfolds.
Although he jokes constantly and admits to the killings, Haarmann shows some remorse. In one long wrenching series of questions and answers, we learn of his early homosexual experiences. He also hated his stern, unloving father. But the interviewee is also evasive and playful, quoting the scriptures and anticipating his own execution.
When the questioning of the dapper, shocked Dr. Schultze (Jurgen Hentsch) turns to why Haarmann chopped up all the bodies and how he disposed of all the parts, one becomes mighty uncomfortable. There are no flashbacks or re-enactments of the grisly slayings, but the material is incredibly graphic nonetheless.
The actors, thankfully, are superb, including Pierre Franckh as the silent stenographer, reacting to the undeniably charismatic Haarmann through furtive glances and body language. Hentsch is outstanding as the questioner who leads the deranged Haarmann into many stark revelations.
At nearly two hours, the film is exhausting, bitter medicine. But to see the amazing George, who won the best actor award at the 1995 Venice Film Festival, is the reward awaiting those who make the effort.
THE DEATHMAKER
(DER TOTMACHER)
Pantera Film
Director Romuald Karmakar
Producer Thomas Schuhly
Writers Romuald Karmakar, Michael Farin
Director of photography Fred Schuler
Editor Peter Przygodda
Production designer Toni Ludi
Color/stereo
Cast:
Fritz Haarmann Gotz George
Dr. Ernst Schultze Jurgen Hentsch
Stenographer Pierre Franckh
Running time -- 114 minutes
No MPAA Rating...
Based on transcripts of a six-week psychiatric evaluation of Fritz Haarmann--who was accused in 1924 of seducing and then killing more than 20 young men--Romuald Karmakar's debut feature is an actor's showcase, with the spotlight falling heavily on lead Gotz George.
Grubby and yet manipulative, cracked World War I veteran Haarmann is a sympathetic monster (he was the model for the Peter Lorre character in Fritz Lang's "M"). The setting is one unadorned room and the action is limited to a few theatrical gestures. In the course of a dozen or so long dialogue scenes the life story and warped perspective of a psychotic, yet oddly lucid killer unfolds.
Although he jokes constantly and admits to the killings, Haarmann shows some remorse. In one long wrenching series of questions and answers, we learn of his early homosexual experiences. He also hated his stern, unloving father. But the interviewee is also evasive and playful, quoting the scriptures and anticipating his own execution.
When the questioning of the dapper, shocked Dr. Schultze (Jurgen Hentsch) turns to why Haarmann chopped up all the bodies and how he disposed of all the parts, one becomes mighty uncomfortable. There are no flashbacks or re-enactments of the grisly slayings, but the material is incredibly graphic nonetheless.
The actors, thankfully, are superb, including Pierre Franckh as the silent stenographer, reacting to the undeniably charismatic Haarmann through furtive glances and body language. Hentsch is outstanding as the questioner who leads the deranged Haarmann into many stark revelations.
At nearly two hours, the film is exhausting, bitter medicine. But to see the amazing George, who won the best actor award at the 1995 Venice Film Festival, is the reward awaiting those who make the effort.
THE DEATHMAKER
(DER TOTMACHER)
Pantera Film
Director Romuald Karmakar
Producer Thomas Schuhly
Writers Romuald Karmakar, Michael Farin
Director of photography Fred Schuler
Editor Peter Przygodda
Production designer Toni Ludi
Color/stereo
Cast:
Fritz Haarmann Gotz George
Dr. Ernst Schultze Jurgen Hentsch
Stenographer Pierre Franckh
Running time -- 114 minutes
No MPAA Rating...
- 1/14/1997
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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