Freistatt

Check out Wolfgang Petersen's 1977 film "The Consequence" (currently free at Amazon) which tells a very similar story of how parents could commit their "incorrigible" teens to these brutal institutional schools.

And if you make it to the end of "Sanctuary," you'll see that the German government has admitted these things were happening, and has paid restitution to some of the victims.

This film is a fast-paced emotional roller-coaster that will tear you heart apart with it's brutality. This is not one of those "sit back and relax" films that makes you drop a tear at the end. This one is emotionally challenging, uncomfortable and difficult to watch and will leave you overwhelmed and speechless, but still will make you watch it until the end by showing you that there is still a glimpse of hope. This film is certainly not for everyone, although you should at least try watching it.

It baffles me how such people can exist: one reviewer said that the events could not happen because such an establishment would be closed in two weeks' time. Well, this one doesn't know a lot of history. And is such a self-entitled spoiled brat that he did not bother to check the facts. Because his beliefs are above facts. Way to go, little one! Soldier on through life with your little beliefs, until life will smack you so hard that you will have to humble down to reality.

I sincerely regret that IMDb, upon being bought by Amazon, ditched all dialogue between users (it was a calculated move, since it became the main bastion of liberalism and wokeness in movie culture, ready to accept false votes and reviews only to further the liberal agenda). I would have told him a lot more.

But, since this is not a review of the reviewers, back to the movie: this is raw power. It hits you like a sledge-hammer. During the movie I wanted to cry. And I was ashamed of being in the same species that did such unspeakable acts to their own. I am still in shock. This is a must-see.

Louis Hofmann was superb as usual. He was 17-18 at the time of making the movie! He is a titan among actors (of course, another reviewer - the only one ever - had the audacity to challenge his talent).

I only live a few miles away from Freistatt, Germany, and at least regionally the movie got some attention. "Freistatt" deals with a topic that is not often dealt with in movies, chose original locations for filming and lists some very able actors (Max Riemelt, Alexander Held) in its cast.

There is no fluff or filler in this movie, no boredom coming up. But while it is a good "time piece" in the sense that it gives you a good idea what it was like in that particular time and situation, there is no plot that is strong enough to really hold the movie together.

Ultimately, I would only recommend it to those who are curious about or have any connection to those failures of the education system that existed for way too long.

I'm write for the first time, because this movie took me to the guts, is so powerful to show how the Human race are bad...

I'm live in Switzerland, and in the 70'S same thing happens in my countries... So many young are suffer of child abuse, free violence and death, it is reality, not just a movie...

The Switzerland state has apologized for what it is to pass in the 70s only in 2015, and yet enormously young people who have passed through these camps are still today marked in blood...

I'm shocked to read the comment of Thomas in this tread, so naive and non-constructive, I thought this poor guy have never see the reality of the world we live... For a German guy it is a crook...

I have finally to say, Hitler has better treat his Hitlerian youth than the German government did after the war, it is sad...

Do not listen to the negative comments or say that it is exaggerating, they have not understood anything in life...

look without hesitation this Powerful movie but hard and realistic on a part of the German history which they should not be proud of...