La bande à Baader

I watched the movie at a teacher's screening in Wuppertal on a Sunday morning. I was quite impressed with the accurate and detailed portrayal of the RAF and the events of the so called 'German fall' (Deutscher Herbst). I myself knew of many of the events beforehand and thanks to documentaries such as Veiel's Black Box BRD and Breloer's Todesspiel I was able to compare. For the two and some hours that the movie lasted I was on the edge of my seat. None of the scenes were boring, everything was well paced (at times maybe a little too fast paced) and I felt like I was being taken back to the important past of my native country. However, at the end I felt a little empty. The documentaries I just mentioned focused on only one story, but these documentaries were better because they gave us an in-depth analysis of the opposing forces (the bourgeoisie, the elite and the socialist rebels).

The portrayal of Meinhof and Baader seems accurate, too, but often I wondered if Baader really was the small-time crook he's made out to be in the movie. Except for Meinhof and Ensslin nobody seems to have some really deep thoughts about what was (is) wrong with our society. Mohnhaupt played by Nadja Uhl isn't explained at all, she's just there all of a sudden and we just go along thinking that she is in it for the same reasons as everybody else (Which are???).That way the movie seemed a little biased, as if trying to tell us that the RAF was mainly criminal and not so much political. Although I believe that a lot of their motives were right, even though they didn't justify any of the actions.

Bruno Ganz as Herold is allowed to play his character in a way that everyone thinks of the German government at the time as a dignified and moderate administration although I don't believe that to be true (after all, Herold said that he can only cure the symptoms of the RAF disease but not the disease itself, yet he didn't do anything to make the German people understand that the RAF is not altogether wrong when it accuses the German people of laziness, cowardice and complacency).

Now, leaving the movie, I figured that there was nothing much left to talk about. The teacher material that we received was pretty useless, because it doesn't offer any interesting topics for discussion. I for one think it would be interesting to discuss the present situation (bureaucracy, war in Iraq, terrorism) with the situation of Germany in the 70's. We are still dealing with many of the problems that caused the insurgency and civil disobedience back then, yet today we don't do anything at all. We are dissatisfied with the Bush administration, we oppose the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, we suffer from a financial crisis mainly caused by the deregulated free market economy (capitalism) and we watch the divide between the rich and the poor getting bigger and bigger.

However, the youth of today doesn't protest. Why not? Maybe because we taught them well that in the end it's everyone for themselves and that it's best to be obedient, docile and commonorgarden if you want at least a little security in your life. One of the stronger scenes was the one where Ensslin accuses Meinhof of jerking off on her socialist theories instead of actually doing something. That's where you can see how Meinhof was influenced by the RAF. Finally she met some people who were willing to take action instead of just talking and philosophizing about a better world. This scene lends itself well to the follow-up scene in which Meinhof helps Baader to escape from prison. The jump from the window sill is a the same time a jump towards extremism.

Well, all in all, I think it's a good film to get people interested in Germany's past but it can only be the beginning of a more subtle analysis of what the RAF stood for and what it was trying to do.

Although being somewhat more than moderately interested in politics, I knew very little about the original activities on which this film is based. Having seen the film, I now feel vastly more knowledgeable on how world events in the late sixties and early seventies led from the emergence to the demise of this particular left wing faction. My attention was fully engaged throughout the film. I thought the screenplay brilliantly portrayed the way the mindset of the RAF developed as they became more and more convinced they were living in a police state. Acting and direction were superb throughout. In spite of the violence and repression being depicted, I was reassured by the fact that such thought provoking films can and are being made for today's cinema audiences. After seeing Die Welle (I think it was three times) earlier this year I am now very enthusiastic about German cinema and shall certainly be hoping to see Der Baader Meinhof Komplex at least once more on the big screen this year. A masterpiece of political film making. Highly recommended.

I wish to clear up any mistake my summary for this might lead to: This is not poorly done. As for this being good or not, that is perhaps a little more subjective, as it may depend on your opinion of the RAF. This is another of the German films of recent years dealing with awful national situations of theirs, from a couple, to numerous, decades back. Whether it's therapeutic, apologetic, a third option or a mix of several that drives this trend, is up for debate. I find this and Der Untergang(or "Downfall") to be exceptionally well-done. As was also the case with that one, this requires you to pay close attention. The pace comes about as close to being outright overpowering - for two and a half hours straight, mind you - as it can, without crossing the line into it. This does also somewhat expect you to be familiar with the overall occurrences, otherwise, you may be confused and have trouble keeping track and following it. This is rather intense. It is a quite strong piece. Featured is an immense amount of violence, which is often graphic. The attitude towards nudity and sexuality is very relaxed. This is disturbing. It is by no means for the faint of heart, and mainstream audiences, if they give this a chance, should not expect it to be "enjoyable", in the traditional sense. It is not "funny". It is powerful. The cinematography and editing are excellent. The acting performances are beyond reproach. I don't know all the facts, but I understand that this isn't completely historically accurate, though it seems to come fairly close. The production values are incredible. I recommend this to anyone interested in an authentic drama based on the Rote Armee Fraktion. 8/10

Germans have a quality wave of movies that reached wold audience in the early 21st century, after the Run Lola Run hit. This movie is perhaps not the best of the best, but is interesting, original and gives a story of one turbulent era with great detail and precision.

I liked this film primarily of how much it seemed to buck the formulaic American plot system. Don't get me wrong some American movies are cool, but they mostly all adhere to the same boring standards.

This film was incredibly bleak and honest, which I respected very much. Also it required that you think for yourself and develop your own opinions.

The plot revolves around a group of young people who go out to try to make a difference and yet don't really accomplish anything at all. I can't give away too much but I thought this was just beautiful and complex film-making. Very intelligent, it never tried to be cute or force any ideas on you, it simply was.

I know this is a vague review, but if you feel like seeing an intelligent complex drama then you must see this. Go German cinema!