Gladbeck

A study in extreme incomepetence. It must have been extremely embarrasing for the German police at the time.

Too bad the film makers used hand held camera, some scenes are almost unwatchable.

A sad event in German history but an excellent piece of television.

The story line dives straight in and keeps going. Similar material would be dragged out for 8 or 10 episodes on mainstream outlets.

Believable performances by all who make you think you are watching a documentary rather than a dramatisation. A very realistic feel.

More of this quality please.

As a Dutch national living in Hamburg, I am not a big fan of German TV-drama. Most productions are unrealistic, melodramatical or far too psychological. Gladbeck however is a great exception. I can only confirm other reviews, that this movie shows what actually happened, how strange the events may seem. I remember the hijacking very well, because it partly took place in the Netherlands too. The acting is superb, the production design is (almost, with just some minor errors) perfect. It shows how much fear the authorities had to take responsibilty and move to action. I hope this will set the standard for coming German TV-productions. Very good indeed!

If only police, politicians and press had known what they were doing back then - 1988 when this incident happened - as well as director Kilian Riedhoff in fact knows his job! Nothing like this would have happened! Smart and sharp edged his work is keeping the spectator in the sniper position, always observing the hostage-taker through a virtual telescope never looking away, constantly ready to fire. A brillant thriller/drama/document about a sad and disturbing true story.

This is a German TV 2-part movie, and really is far better in almost every department than even the many higher profile & higher budget fare you get in the crime & heist genre you get in the English speaking world.

We have a curious case of a prolonged bank robbery led by a dangerous and frightening lead, who is able to take advantage of the bureaucratic and hand-tied authorities to string out his crime to try in a vain attempt to escape.

This film is brutal in its honesty about the different elements involved: the criminals, the police and the abducted. It's brilliantly paced and filmed, and you can't help but feel sucked.

A great experience, and really wouldn't be surprised if this is copied or influenced to others abroad in their efforts in years to come.