Der phantastische Fall des Dr. Holst

A wealthy man called Steinmetz (John Price) ends up in a psychiatric hospital where he tells a psychiatrist and brain surgeon called Dr. Max Holst (Preben Neergaard) an extraordinary story about his ability to be able to manifest physical objects into being by the power of his mind. After Holst refuses Steinmetz's request to perform a brain operation on him to increase his mental powers Holst's life starts to unravel as Steinmetz creates a doppelganger of Holst. Filmed in atmospheric black and white (by Witold Leszczynski) this 1969 Danish feature film is an intriguing SF fantasy from director Jens Ravn, based on Valdemar Holst's book (as adapted by Ravn and Henrik Stangerup), and is clearly influenced by French New Wave SF. It's a 'psychological' science fiction fantasy which deals with concepts of madness, genius, memory, suggestion, identity, power and ego, and which has elements of (as well as anticipating) numerous films and books. Gives a new dimension to the saying 'with our thoughts we make the world'.

An intriguing science fiction film, The Man Who Though Life remains little known in the United States. However, viewers who enjoy films like The One I Love or Being John Malkovich should like this film as well.

Max Holst, a neurologist, is summoned to the hospital because a patient has asked for him. Holst finds the patient in his room, smoking a cigar. This is not hospital procedure, and Holst is curious how the patient smuggled the tobacco into his cell. Shortly after the patient escapes, somehow managing to get a key to his room. What is going on? As the title suggests, this patient, by thinking hard enough about an object, can summon it into existence. This man wants something from the doctor and will not take no for an answer.

Shot in stark black and white, The Man Who Thought Life seems a fairly low budget film, at least by American standards. What the film has to offer is something that costs very little, an unpredictable plot. The viewer tilts on shifting ground with the film's plot. The one complaint is that the ending seems too easy. That aside, The Man Who Thought Life should be sought out by curious viewers.

Holy. F*cking. Sh*t.

This film is an absolute masterpiece, in both the realms of sci-fi and horror.

Not only is it one of the most visually stunning films I've ever seen...it's one of the most intriguing science fiction stories I've heard since La Jetee.

It centers around a man. A man with an extraordinary ability. The ability to manifest any object he focuses his mind on. And he wants to create life. Real, organic life.

His name is Steinmetz. And he's already managed a mouse...but he really wants to do a human.

And he's willing to try. But it might kill him. So he will only do it on two conditions:

1) complete discretion from the doctor he has personally chosen- Dr. Holst. 2) that the doctor perform brain surgery on him if he dies.

Holst refuses, and Steinmetz doesn't take too kindly to that.

He starts to manifest a doppelganger of Holst, and uses it to f*ck with his life. Particularly, interfering with his fiancée and career.

But the version Steinmetz creates is an improved version, with all the human faults removed. Not only is the doppelganger a better surgeon, he's more likable too.

And everyone begins to accept him as the real Holtz, while the real Holtz is painted as an imposter.

Holtz agrees to give in to Steinmetz, but Steinmetz doesn't need him anymore.

He has become obsolete.

The lead up to the ending is combined of two of the most logical possible directions, and a twist I personally did't think of...but, must admit, is damn brilliant.

Not gonna lie, after that final twist...I was really hoping Steinmetz was going to come back too...because he had said earlier, "even if my head explodes, the man you see before you will return to you". But, oh well.

This film is still absolutely perfect in every facet. One of the most visually stunning films I've ever seen shot in black and white. And a story that makes it one of the best sci-fi and horror films of all time!

An absolute masterpiece.

10 out of 10.

So ahead of it's time and just wow. Just wow. It is kept simple as of film technique, but the acting, score and story is genius and masterly executed.