http://www.electricroulette.com/2009/05/dvd-review-baader-meinhof-complex-2008.html
You might know the name, but do you really know about the Baader
Meinhof gang? You will after nearly three hours of the Baader Meinhof Complex.
Personally, I've been looking forward to catching this movie for a
long, long time - I missed it during its brief tour of the UK's
arthouse cinemas last year, so the DVD was a 'must'. And overall, I'm
not disappointed, although your take on it might depend on your
stamina and love of foreign language flicks.
The Baader Meinhof Complex is certainly a well-made piece of work,
based on the factual book by Stefan Aust and directed by Uli Edel
(the man behind the big screen version of drug shocker Christiane
F.), it uses both period film and some incredible recreations of
events to bring together the various strands of political unrest from
the late 60s (including a particularly brutal scene around the visit
of the Shah of Iran to West Germany and the attempted assassination
of left wing activitist Rudi Dutschke), showing how each of the
gang's leading lights are drawn into conflict with the authorities
and indeed, drawn together.
The background is the perception of West German policy during the
late 60s - many students opposed what they saw as a return to right
wing politics, citing the support of the USA in Vietnam and the
opposition of Palestinians in Isreal as prime examples of their
government's leanings. Not only that, but the authorities (as the
Iran demo showed) were quick to clamp down on any unrest, supported
by what was seen as a strongly right wing media. Inevitably it led to
extremism and violence.
Both Andreas Baader (Moritz Bleibtreu) and Gudrun Ensslin (Johanna
Wokalek) were already taking on mainstream society, even if it was
just planting bombs in department stores in a fight against
consumerism. When they're caught for that, their case is taken up by
Ulrike Meinhof (Martina Gedeck), who is drawn into the conflict when
she assists in the brutal breakout of Baader - forming the nucleus of
the gang in the process. They flee the country and head to a
terrorist camp in Jordan - returning to Germany to start a campaign
of bloody terror against the country's institutions.
Over a period of time, all the gang are captured or killed (both by
luck and the judgement of police chief Horst Herold), with the
leaders facing a long, drawn-out trial before death (suicide or
otherwise, it's left intentionally ambiguous) makes the any final
verdict academic.
Yes, it does sound hard going and at times it is, but it's also
entertaining and informative at the same time. And if you want
action, you'll find plenty here. Indeed at times, it's easy to forget
you're watching a serious political drama, with plenty of
Tarantino-style shoot outs plus some high-speed car chases giving the
Baader Meinhof Complex real impact. And whether the director intended
it or not, the gang are seriously cool. They look good they drive
fast cars and they they're willing to die for their cause. What's not to like?
Well, the gang members for a start. Director Edel might have upped
the excitement levels, but he's certainly made sure you get the
characters 'warts n all' - the psychotic Baader is portrayed as more
of a killer than a freedom fighter, while the rest of the Red Army
Faction come across as urban guerillas without any real cause or end
game (especially as the world changes around them), highlighted by
the succession of chaotic hijackings, kidnappings and murders carried
out in the gang's name in 1977, just before the demise of the three leaders.
The deaths of Baader, Meinhof and Ensslin do provide an end point for
the movie, but their long periods of incarceration and the lengthy
trial also provide the movie's weak point. You see, without a 'Bonnie
and Clyde' ending, we're left with an essentially dull, drawn out
sequence of events that include a lot discussions in prison cells, a
rather dull court case and far too many 'new' gang members appearing
on the scene who we barely get introduced to. The result is a good 45
minutes of movie that you really could do without, unless you're
watching as part of a modern history degree.
But don't let that put you off too much. If your stamina is good and
you can handle a lengthy session with subtitles, you'll find much to
appreciate here. A very stylish film, plenty of action and a history
lesson thrown in for free. It has its flaws, but the Baader Meinhof
Complex is certainly worthy of both your attention and your cash.
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