The Inheritors (1983) Poster

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8/10
Shocking
cmmescalona2 December 2010
Any film that deals with the horrors of war is nasty on its very own base.But, when faced with the horrors that came from one of the most insane minds ever, things get worse. This film deals with a revival, of sorts of the Nazi ideals through a terribly mislead and dysfunctional group of very young people, drawn to the darkest pits of their reality. Political or not, this film would be branded politically incorrect in all aspects. And it is, indeed.

The worst of its drawbacks is just that its own incorrect political issues were later (and still are) a sad fuel for some youngsters who believe their Fatherland should be defended the way Hitler did, and by the same means, even if their own were to be abolished from Earth. The deep consequences of the turmoil provoked in their minds (those of the young people who join the Youth Group or Party) suddenly turns into an unstopping vortex of violence.

All moral barriers are violated here. The only driving passion is the Party. The stories told are some kind of reliving the worst of the darkest times of war from the standpoint of the Nazi Reich.

Well sorted, acted, filmed and scored, the film exudes reality. Since German is the language, the film sometimes gets too "Hitlerian". Thomas's mother being the most unnerving character (every bit of her admonitions are as Hitlerian as they can be, and well over the top). The rest are good at doing their job. It's a substantial film, but, definitely, not for the faint hearted.

You'll find moments of pure repulsion and scenes when you don't want to hear what's been said. I'm not Jewish, but it hit me as hard as if I were. The depiction of some gruesome dialogues and representations are simply disgusting.

A great film with maybe too many gratuitous sex scenes, and with an eerie powerful omen of things to be in forthcoming years.
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10/10
Chilling Tale of the Effects of Apathy and the Young
andell26 June 2004
When I first saw this movie, I didn't quite know what to make of it. To be sure, there is a sense of intense violence and eroticism in this film that seems to be at odds with one another, and overshadows the performances, at least on the initial viewing.

Is it formula? Perhaps, for all of the possible excuses for reaching for violence and hatred are here: indifferent and abusive parents, diminished school prospects, and poverty to some degree- however it should be noted that the most fanatical of the boys is the one who comes from a good home. By the end, there is little of him left but the desire to destroy, and the inevitable beauty that he will self destruct.

On that point, it is very tragic that Nikolas Vogel, the star of the film, passed away so very young. As the young fanatical neo-Nazi, we see him as a lovely, misguided young man whose confusion and disappointment throughout the film ultimately lead to the violent conclusion. He starts as an innocent kid, and finishes as the empty vessel that we all fear on some level.

Very sad that Nikolas Vogel didn't get to make very many films, for this one made a profound impression on me!
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Highly recommended
Sorof30 July 2001
An outstanding movie which highlights the allure that neo-Nazi and other gangs have to disaffected youth. The movie is well acted, but is violent and has numerous sex scenes. These scenes are surprising in their graphic nature, seeing that many of the young actors are clearly teenagers. One of the better movies I have ever seen.
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9/10
Excellent plot, but totally sad and scary film
divinelyloved27 January 2005
Warning: Spoilers
This film in German, with English subtitles. It is about a boy named Thomas whose mother constantly yells at him, as well as her husband. As a teenager, he hates his home life and with good reason - his mother is verbally abusive and his father is a weakling. He comes across another young guy similar in age to himself and becomes friends with him. Little does he know that this other fellow is a member of a Neo-Nazi youth group. Slowly but surely Thomas begins to get deeply involved in the Nazi organization and the dangers inherent within it. Violence ensues as Thomas becomes more deeply involved in the organization. The ending is both tragic and startling. This is an excellent film, although the male nudity is probably uncalled for. However, the hedonism of this youth organization is quite germane to the historical behavior of the earlier Nazi youth organizations, even going back to the early 1930's. In typical fashion, the film at times lacks connective action sequences, with the camera panning on a window or room for a long time without any dialog. However, as a European film, this is to be expected. Overall, I think this is an excellent movie, but truly tragic in its ending.
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4/10
Interesting premise vaguely on par with The Wave, but forgettable execution mostly
Horst_In_Translation11 June 2017
Warning: Spoilers
"Die Erben" or "The Inheritors" or just "Nazi" is an Austrian German-language movie from 1983, so this one will have its 35th anniversary next year. It is perhaps the most known non-television series work by writer and director Walter Bannert. Lead actor is Nikolas Vogel who got unlucky when he was killed working as a war photographer in the early 90s. Here he plays a young man who gets drawn into the movement of a new group that apparently works and functions in accordance with the Nazi's ideals many decades ago. So the inheritors listed in the title are inheriting the Nazi heritage if you want to call it like that. The members find a haven in this group as they are the ones ignored by society for the most part and also struggling with family life for example not getting enough parental love. But for some in here homosexual feelings get in the way as they are obviously not in line with the group's ideals. I personally must say that I was not too impressed with Vogel or any of the supporting characters here. It is a very bleak film, but it also felt lacking depth from start to finish basically, the minor characters just felt like they did not add anything at all to be honest. i already made a parallel in the title of my review and I suggest you watch the film I mentioned there because it is certainly superior compared to this one here (and that refers to the German film as well as the English-language short film). In any case, I think the story and background and general plot offered the opportunity of a much better film here than it actually turned out to be. I give these slightly under 90 minutes (slightly over with credits) a thumbs-down. Not recommended.
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9/10
Hard-hitting, disturbing and uncompromising film
jononfire29 June 2003
This is a very raw and forthright film in its depiction of modern German youth's vulnerability to Neo-Nazi persuasion and sexual abandon. It's very adult and very disturbing, but exceptionally well-acted and produced. How about a DVD release?
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5/10
This is not an easy watch. But it's certainly one that will make you think.
BandSAboutMovies17 January 2019
Warning: Spoilers
In 1979, Austrian film director Walter Bannert was simply enjoying a meal at a Vienna cafe when he was beaten by a gang of neo-Nazis. That's when he determined that he would research these groups by convincing their leaders that he was making an objective documentary. He ended up spending three years with these groups in West Germany and Austria.

The Inheritors is what emerged, a film based on real people, events and conversations that Bannert actually experienced. Obviously, the film was controversial, with theatres screening it threatened by neo-Nazi sympathizers. Sadly, while it's over thirty years old, the rebirth of right-wing extremism means that it may even be more relevant today.

On his way home from school, Thomas helps Charly escape from the police. They couldn't be more different, as Thomas comes from a rich home, where his self-made father and music-loving brother are both dominated by his mother. Charly is poor and doesn't have much of a future.

Soon, the two are dreaming of a revitalized fatherland based on happy families, free from corporate control and dedicated to the environment, one that will be free from the influence of the West. They discover that they find a better family and friends within the party, as the rest of the world throws them away as they become more and more dedicated to the Nazi cause.
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10/10
Excellent analysis of how gangs can become a child's family
iamaryan11 June 2000
This was an excellent movie on how, due to lack of love and warmth in a home, a child can find love and respect in gangs, clubs, and other youth organizations. In this film, Thomas Fleigl is a poor student in school, driven to run away by a brutal and uncaring mother, who thinks she does right, but never shows love to Thomas or his brother. His father has let Thomas' mother run the home, a disaster in and of itself. The neo-Nazi 'dark' side is typical jewish influence. Not all Nazi youth groups were bad. This one is portrayed as evil. The anti-homosexual bent is real and nicely done. The ending is sad and not well done. The Germans are notorious for long scenes without dialogue which can be somewhat boring, as compared to the action-adventure and fast style of Hollywood. I highly recommend this film to any younger person old enough to handle the sex scenes and the Nazi propaganda.
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