Review of The Niklashausen Journey

"Die Niklashauser Fart" or "The Niklashausen Journey" is a West German German-language film from 1970. It was written and directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder together with Michael Fengler. It is among Fassbinder's earlier, but not earliest works as he was in his mid-20s when he made this one. As with many of hies earlier works, he also acts himself in here, even if not as one of the protagonists this time really. Then again, it's an ensemble work and everybody is a protagonist somehow. This film is about a group of people who go on a pilgrimage in order to make things better for everybody. The film is packed with religious and political references from start to finish, even really radical, almost anarchist, at times. The cast includes a handful of actors you see frequently in Fassbinder films, such as Schygulla, Raab, Carstensen and the very young Günther Kaufmann. I am a bit undecided on this film. I believe there were a couple really interesting and memorable moments, especially in terms of music and visual aspects, but in terms of the story I must say I am not convinced. This film has some good scenes, but also some pretty weak scenes that would probably be considered garbage by today's standards if the film had been by somebody else than Fassbinder. Overall, I guess the negative outweighs the positive and I do not recommend this 1.5-hour film. Thumbs down.